Leinster v Ulster: Key battles in the PRO12 semi-final
Friday 20 May 2016 21:31, UK
Leinster will put their 100 per cent record in the PRO12 semi-finals on the line when they face neighbours Ulster at a sold-out RDS, live on Sky Sports 3 HD.
Friday's provincial derby will be Leinster's seventh semi-final appearance. They have won the previous six, while Ulster have won only once at the RDS in 12 attempts.
However, Les Kiss's side head to the Irish capital on the back of four successive victories, including a 30-6 drubbing of Leinster in Belfast on April 30.
Four points separated the teams in the final PRO12 table and a close contest is predicted on Friday. Who will prevail? Let's look at some of the key battles which could decide this derby.
Johnny Sexton v Paddy Jackson
Jackson has lived in Sexton's shadow at international level but got the better of his fellow fly-half during their recent encounter in Belfast, and broke away for a late interception try.
The Ulsterman has raised his game another notch this season, bringing the best out of a talented backline and shouldering some of the responsibility normally placed on Ruan Pienaar's shoulders.
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Another impressive showing in Dublin should see Jackson leapfrog Ian Madigan in the fly-half pecking order for Ireland's tour of South Africa, but Sexton will be out to prove a point.
The 30-year-old has forged a good understanding with Ben Te'o and continues to use the wrap-around to good effect. Leinster rely heavily on Sexton to unlock opposition defences and Ulster will be in his face all night, although that is familiar territory for the seasoned international.
Sexton was highly critical of Leinster's performance in Belfast last month and will be desperate to exact revenge on Friday.
Ben Te'o v Stuart McCloskey
Te'o plays his final game on Irish soil for Leinster ahead of his big-money move to Worcester and he could not have asked for a tougher assignment.
McCloskey's form this season earned him an Ireland debut at Twickenham during the Six Nations and he looks to have nailed down the No 12 jersey in a highly competitive Ulster backline.
Both players are excellent gain-line options, McCloskey averaging 4.18 metres per carry in the PRO12, while Te'o has the ability to terrorise opposition defences with his running lines and offloading ability.
While Sam Burgess flopped in rugby union, fellow league convert Te'o has thrived in the 15-man code. With England reportedly set to fast-track him into their squad, he and McCloskey could be facing off at international level in the near future.
Isa Nacewa v Jared Payne
Nacewa moves to full-back in place of the injured Rob Kearney and offers a different attacking threat to the Irishman at 15.
The Leinster skipper has enjoyed a highly impressive comeback season and Ulster know any loose kicks will be punished by the 33-year-old.
Payne's defensive attributes sees him start at outside centre for Ireland but he has been in scintillating form at full-back for Ulster since his return from the foot injury that ended his World Cup. He has scored four tries in as many PRO12 games, including one against Leinster last month.
Both players are fantastic counter-attackers who rarely waste possession. Payne is excellent in the air while Nacewa has a quality kicking game; they will bring out the best in the players around them.
Richardt Strauss v Rory Best
Rory Best took over the Ireland captaincy from Paul O'Connell in this year's Six Nations, but rather than being buoyed by the honour, the responsibility appeared to weigh the 33-year-old down.
This weekend he has a chance for redemption as he goes head to head against the man who wants his Ireland jersey, Richardt Strauss.
Strauss has played slightly more PRO12 than Best this season - less than an hour of playing time separates them - and their lineout statistics are identical, with both boasting an 87% success rate.
The statistics that separate them is at the breakdown, where Strauss' 11 turnovers outweighs Best with five, and tackles, with Strauss putting in 64 hits to Best's 43.
Aside from those numbers, the hookers have been making a practically even contribution on the field, but which one will make the greater impact on the day?
The Ireland skipper is in no immediate threat of losing his spot in the team, but Strauss will view Friday's game as an opportunity to prove his worth to Joe Schmidt and his coaching staff who will no doubt be watching on.
