Defending Champions Leinster will face Glasgow Warriors in the final of the RaboDirect PRO12 in front of a capacity crowd in Dublin tonight. Kick off is at 18:15 BST, 19:15 SA Time.

Leinster will be more familiar with the experience having played in and won many finals in the PRO12 and elsewhere in European Rugby, while it will be Glasgow Warriors first appearance ever in a final at this level.

Leinster stalwarts Brian ‘O Driscoll and captain Leo Cullen will be playing their final match for the club before they retire. The Glasgow Warriors also features players competing in the their final match for the team- Chris Cusiter, Ruaridh Jackson and Moray Low, who will be furthering their careers with clubs in England next season.

Leinster Team Announcement:

Coach Matt O’Connor has made three changes from the team that accounted for Ulster in the Semi-Final 13 points to nine with two of those changes coming in the pack.

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Mike Ross comes in for Martin Moore while Mike McCarthy returns from injury in place of Quinn Roux. The final change sees Zane Kirchner coming in for Dave Kearney who undergoes surgery on an ACL knee injury today.

Elsewhere it is as you were for O’Connor with full back Rob Kearney due to win his 150^th cap for the province.

The teams have met twice this year with both sides winning at home. Glasgow won 12-6 back in September in Scotstoun, while Leinster won the return fixture 28-25 in March with tries from Rhys Ruddock, Noel Reid and Darragh Fanning.

The game will be live on RTÉ 2, TG4 and BBC. There are no tickets available for the game with an increased capacity crowd of 19,200 expected.

Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Brian O’Driscoll, 12 Gordon D’Arcy, 11 Zane Kirchner, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Eoin Reddan, 1 Cian Healy, 2 Sean Cronin, 3 Mike Ross, 4 Devin Toner, 5 Mike McCarthy, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 7 Shane Jennings, 8 Jamie Heaslip (Captain)
Replacments: 16 Aaron Dundon, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Leo Cullen, 20 Sean O’Brien, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Darragh Fanning.

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
Assistant Referees: Leighton Hodges, Ian Davies (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Maurizio Vancini (FIR)
TMO: Derek Bevan (WRU)

Glasgow Warriors Announcement:

Gregor Townsend has named the Glasgow Warriors team to face Leinster in the RaboDirect PRO12 Final at the RDS on Saturday (kick-off 18:15 BST).

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There are two personnel changes to the team, which beat Munster 16-15 in the play-off at Scotstoun, with Peter Horne coming in for Mark Bennett at centre and Gordon Reid replacing Ryan Grant at prop.

There is one positional switch in the backline with Alex Dunbar moving to outside centre, with Horne coming in at number 12.

Peter Murchie continues at full-back, with Sean Maitland and Tommy Seymour on either wing.

Dunbar and Horne are at centre, with Finn Russell continuing at stand-off and Chris Cusiter, who is set to play his final game for the club, at scrum-half.

In the forwards Dougie Hall continues at hooker, with Reid coming in at loose-head and Jon Welsh at tight-head.

Jonny Gray, who was named the Players’ Player of the Season last week, once again partners captain Al Kellock in the second-row.

Rob Harley, the club’s Player of the Season, lines up alongside Chris Fusaro and Josh Strauss in the backrow.

Moray Low and Ruaridh Jackson could come off the bench to make their final appearance for the club, while Low could play his 150th game in a Warriors shirt.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: “Making the final is a great achievement for the club and for Scottish rugby, but this is a big opportunity for us to take that next step.

“We face a huge challenge tomorrow night as Leinster are the defending champions and have been one of the top sides in Europe for a number of years.

“The squad have trained really well this week and everyone associated with the club can’t wait to see the players perform in the final.

“It is fantastic that so many Glasgow supporters will be travelling to Dublin to get behind the team. We’ve had incredible support all season and our supporters will once again have a big role to play tomorrow night.

“Moray (Low) could make his 150th appearance for the club, which is an incredible achievement, while it would also be his last in a Glasgow shirt. Chris (Cusiter) and Ruaridh (Jackson) are also set to play their last game for the Warriors, and have been instrumental in the progress the club has made over the past few seasons.

“We will give everything we’ve got tomorrow in our quest to achieve something which no Scottish side has done before.”

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Peter Murchie, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Alex Dunbar, 12 Peter Horne, 11 Tommy Seymour, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Chris Cusiter, 1 Gordon Reid, 2 Dougie Hall, 3 Jon Welsh, 4 Jonny Gray, 5 Al Kellock (Captain), 6 Rob Harley, 7 Chris Fusaro, 8 Josh Strauss
Replacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 Moray Low, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Leone Nakarawa, 21 Niko Matawalu, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Sean Lamont

Not available due to injury: Mike Cusack (medical/illness), Finlay Gillies (neck), Ed Kalman (back), Tom Ryder (knees), DTH van der Merwe (shoulder) and Ryan Wilson (shoulder).

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There are many different kind of folk who follow sport but on the whole one feels that  good people go to watch rugby games. The spirit of our game is nicely captured by the following quote, which was posted on a Glasgow Warriors fan forum yesterday (Friday) by a Leinster fan:

“Hello from Dublin – a Leinster fan, so go easy on me.

A couple of things about the weekend from this side of the perspective. Firstly, most Leinster fans would see Glasgow as favourites for the game, given the run of form you are currently in. We have struggled in the last month, amidst calls for a new coach and new players, and most fans think tommorrow is a step too far. However, we have often played at our best when least expected, who knows ?.

To wet your appetite, there is obviously great excitement about the game over here in Dublin. the RDS when full has a unique and fantastic atmosphere and tommorrow it should really be hopping. For good measure, the pitch is immaculate, and the weather is forecast 22 c hot and sunny – so bring the sunnies, and beer money. In addition to the Final, it is also BOD and Leo Cullens last game pre retirement and there will be quite a bit of emotion about. It will all add to the atmosphere, I have no doubt.

If you are in Dublin, I would suggest that you try and get to the Ballsbridge area early in the afternoon. There are lots of good pubs, not much walking required, friendly people and there will be plenty of craic. Inside the ground their are plenty of attractive areas for a nice picnic or food from one of the many food outlets within the ground. Needless to say there are any number of bars which will be open before, during and after the game.

Lastly, I know it is a final, and its so important, but make sure to say hello to Leinster fans , before and after the gamel. On the whole we are a good bunch and we love entertaining opposition supporters in the RDS or the bars around Ballsbridge. I can assure you, that all Warriors fans will get a great welcome in Dublin, and hopefully a weekend we will never forget. The Horse Show House beside the Ground, is home to Leinster Supporters Club, so would love to see in or around there, plenty of room and a big beer garden at rear.

Safe travelling – heres for a wonderful weekend .”