While Jack McGrath admits the majority of rugby fans will probably be on the side of Cinderella men Connacht for Guinness PRO12 final glory, the Leinster prop is determined to spoil their party in Edinburgh.

Perennial underdogs Connacht have enjoyed their best-ever season in the Guinness PRO12, notching up their highest-ever finish on their way to a maiden final appearance at BT Murrayfield.

But the history books are certainly on Leinster’s side, and there is no chance they will be overawed by the situation having played in six previous PRO12 finals with a record of won three, lost three.

And with honours even between the sides so far this season, with one win apiece from two encounters, McGrath is adamant this is the contest everyone wanted to see.

“They’ve been pretty tough games the last two games we played them this season,” said the 26-year-old. “I think everyone’s looking forward to it since the final whistle after the Glasgow game on Saturday.

“They’ve been really impressive. Where they’ve come from in three years is a testament to the players and the coaching staff.

“It’s great to see they’re playing some fantastic rugby; they’re up there in the try-scoring stats, they’ve a fantastic defence, they were joint-top with ourselves.

“It’s going to be a tight game. It’s one and two [in the Guinness PRO12 table] playing each other and that’s what everyone wants.

“By all accounts, everyone outside Leinster is supporting Connacht. So they’ll all come out in their droves to support Connacht. Hopefully we’ll have a good patch of Leinster supporters there as well.”

Cullen has made two changes to the starting XV that beat Ulster in the Guinness PRO12 playoffs, with Isa Nacewa and Devin Toner the unlucky men to miss out.

Captain Nacewa has been ruled out with an arm injury sustained against Ulster, and Jamie Heaslip will skipper the side as a result.

That also leaves a space at full-back for Rob Kearney, who returns from the ankle injury suffered in the Round 22 game against Benetton Treviso.

Ben Te’o will play his last game for Leinster at inside centre with Garry Ringrose outside him once again, while scrum-half Eoin Reddan will win his 140th cap in Leinster colours.

Ross Molony comes in for Toner alongside Mick Kearney, meaning Hayden Triggs also comes onto the bench.
Meanwhile, for the first time all season, Connacht coach Pat Lam has made no changes to his matchday squad.

Galway man John Muldoon will captain the side in his 275th game for the province, and tighthead prop Finlay Bealham is the only player to have featured in all 31 games for the province this season.

Lam said: “It’s exciting that this is the first time in 31 games that we’ve been able to name the same match day squad from one week to the next.

“These 23 players are the fortunate ones who have earned the opportunity to wear the jersey and represent their team-mates and the whole of Connacht in our first final.

“Preparation continues to be our big focus this week. We know how tough it will be against Leinster who have a huge amount of experience in finals rugby.

“But we know that if we stick to our structures and systems and channel all the emotion and physicality in to our performance, we have a real chance of making history.”

At BT Murrayfield, 5.30pm Live on Sky Sports and TG4
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 136th competition game, 4th Final)
Assistant Referees: Ian Davies, Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Officials: 4 Lloyd Linton; 5 Bob Nevins; 6 Tom Mc Nicol (all SRU)
Timekeeper; Paul Cyphus (SRU)
Citing Commissioner: Maurizio Vancini (FIR)
TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)

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