Pro 12 Final

Here is my Pro 12 final preview it sees Leinster take on Glasgow at the RDS on Saturday at 6.30.

Leinster will go into the game as slight favourites because the game is at home and that they are defending champions. It will see Leo Cullen and Brian O Driscoll wear the Blue of Leinster for the final time. Leo Cullen will move upstairs to become the new forwards coach and Brian will take a well earned break from the game. This aside, it is a final chance for this season at least for both teams to put a piece of silverware in the trophy cabinet.

Can Glasgow first time finalists come to the RDS and win they played at the the RDS last season in the semi-final and were unlucky to lose. They have been the form team in the Pro 12 this season and have been hell bent on winning this trophy since they won in Thomond Park back in March. I think that win gave them the confidence that they could break the bridesmaid tag off and go one step further and win the big one.

A Glasgow win would be good for Scottish rugby and also the Pro 12 that has seen Irish teams dominate since its inception back in 2001. Scottish rugby is at a low ebb at the moment this may begin to change with a Glasgow win this Saturday.

Can Gregor Townsend fire his Glasgow team up to succeed where other Scottish have failed and pick up a big win that might just see Scottish rugby begin to turn a corner. With a new coach at the helm in Scotland Vern Cotter, he will also want to see can Glasgow put in a strong showing.

So it is going to be a close final this weekend with the two best sides facing each other in the final. I back Leinster to win this one but only just.

By

Cian Mc Gibney.

27/05/2014.