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Leinster’s Jonny Sexton celebrates with the trophy. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA Wire. Leinster’s direct style earns Pro12 success

Ulster come up just short in pulsating encounter at the RDS

Referee Wayne Barnes shows the red card to Dylan Hartley of Northampton during the Aviva Premiership Final against Leicester at Twickenham. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Dylan Hartley red card overshadows Leicester’s title triumph
  • Rugby
  • May 25, 2013, 17:25

Northampton hooker insists comment was directed at opposing player not referee

Cup cakes representing Leinster and Ulster colours. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho Ulster and Leinster look primed for one final bun fight

Half a dozen changes and presence of Sexton may just give Leinster edge in reprise of last season’s European final

Ulster coach Mark Anscombe: the 27-16 defeat to Saracens at Twickenham in April looms large over his first season in Belfast. Photograph: Getty Images Anscombe looks to finish what he started with Ulster

The Ulster coach thinks defeat today would not mean an unsuccessful season for his side

Jamie Heaslip: Hopes to send his departing Leinster colleagues away on a high. Photogrpah: Billy Stickland/Inpho Jamie Heaslip aims to end ‘roller coaster’ of a season on a high

Ireland’s captain hoping to gain revenge for two final defeats before going to Australia

Brian O’Driscoll returns to the Leinster side for Saturday’s RaboDirect Final against Ulster at the RDS. Photograph: Kieran Murray/Inpho O’Driscoll returns for Leinster but O’Brien sits out final
  • Rugby
  • May 24, 2013, 12:18

Ulster welcome back prop John Afoa in only change from play-off game

Leinster’s Brian O’Driscoll prepares for the Pro12 final at the RDS. Brian O’Driscoll fit and ready to face Ulster in Pro12 final

Lessons of defeat to Ospreys last year add to Leinster motivation

Seán O’Brien: chances are he’ll miss the Pro 12 final because of a niggling knee injury. Photograph: Inpho Seán O’Brien won’t take risks with injury to play in Pro 12 decider against Ulster

Flanker wants to play but knows he could jeopardise his Lions prospects

Current Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip battles with Hosea Gear, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read of New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium in 2010. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho IRFU reveal ticket prices for autumn internationals

Significant savings on tickets in comparison to New Zealand’s last visit to Dublin in 2010

Richard Hibbard happy with the way knee rehab is progressing

Ulster’s Rory Best will be keeping a close eye on the Welsh hooker’s fitness

Cian Healy: takes positives out of weekend’s Pro 12 final. Cian Healy hopes a Leinster win over Ulster will help boost the Lions

Prop knows the risk of injury is big but is prepared to put his body on the line

Wales’ George North gets in some golf practice during yesterday’s Lions Down Day at Carton House, Maynooth, yesterday. Photograph: Inpho Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree not taking Barbarians match lightly

Coach stresses first match of tour is important one for the squad

Digby Ioane has undergone a knee operation. Photograph: Getty Images Wallabies winger Digby Ioane may miss first Lions test

New Zealand-born 27-year-old underwent knee surgery today and faces race to be fit for June 22nd match

Biarritz’s Taku Ngwenya chases down Ian Madigan during last month’s Challenge Cup semi-final. The pair are due to meet again on June 8th. Photograph: Colm O’Neill/Inpho US Eagles announce weakened squad

Ireland’s summer opponents meet this Saturday without European based players

Andrew Trimble sees this weekend as a major point in Ulster’s evolution. “It’s a chance to lay claim to being the best side in Ireland.” Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Andrew Trimble seeks final piece of validation for Ulster in Pro12 final

Beating Leinster in decider will prove Ulster have truly arrived as a force

John Afoa: looks set to recover from his hamstring injury for Saturday’s final. Photograph: Darren Kidd/Presseye/Inpho Joe Schmidt and Mark Anscombe keep cards close to chests for Pro12 final

John Afoa only major doubt for Ulster while Brian O’Driscoll looks fit to start for Leinster

Dan Lydiate in action during the Lions’ training session in Carton House yesterday. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho Rested Dan Lydiate looks to outflank rivals in Lions battle of the backrow

Despite missing international season, Wales number six is a Warren Gatland favourite

Ronan O’Gara and Jonny Sexton will join forces in Paris with Racing Metro. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho Girvan Dempsey believes Ronan O’Gra can kick on as coach with Racing Metro

Undoubted mental strength will make transition easier for former Ireland outhalf

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Live - Pro12 Final Ulster take on Leinster at the RDS
 

Rabo Pro 12

Team P W D L F A BP Pts
Ulster 22 17 1 4 577 348 11 81
Leinster 22 17 0 5 585 386 10 78
Glasgow 22 16 0 6 541 324 12 76
Scarlets 22 15 0 7 436 406 6 66
Ospreys 22 14 1 7 471 342 4 62
Munster 22 11 1 10 442 384 8 54
Treviso 22 10 2 10 414 450 6 51
Connacht 22 8 1 13 358 422 4 38
Cardiff 21 8 0 13 335 450 6 38
Edinburgh 22 7 0 15 499 504 8 36
Dragons 22 6 0 16 358 589 4 28
Zebre 22 0 0 22 288 573 10 10

 

Our Writers

Keith Duggan Keith Duggan - Chief Sports Writer

Forever young: vigorous older generation lead by example

Liam Toland Liam Toland - Rugby Analyst

Heaslip’s consistency will trump Williams’ sporadic brilliance

Sean Moran Sean Moran -

Up to Galway’s footballers now to rediscover their pride in the qualifiers

Roddy L'Estrange Roddy L'Estrange -

A late night knock turns Vinny’s world upside down

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