Leinster forwards coach Leo Cullen believes his side must treat their five remaining GUINNESS PRO12 matches as cup finals – starting with Friday’s game against Glasgow Warriors.

The Leinstermen have won just one of their last five matches and now sit one place, and two points, outside the top four.

By contrast, Glasgow have lost just one of their last five league games to reach the GUINNESS PRO12 summit and Cullen is under no illusions about the challenge they face underneath the Friday night lights at the RDS Arena.

“Games in the GUINNESS PRO12 do not come any tougher than the ones against Glasgow,” explained Cullen.

“We beat them here last year in the final and as far as we are concerned, this week we are effectively playing out another final in all but name.

“The Warriors are at the top of the table and we are in fifth place, eight points behind. That situation says it all for us and there will be no distractions.

“The truth is that each of our five remaining matches in the GUINNESS PRO12 are effectively knock-out ones.

“Every match for the rest of the season will be an exciting challenge and none more so than facing the Warriors.”

Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor has made seven changes to the side that started against Scarlets last time out as he welcomes back a number of internationals.

The likes of Ian Madigan, Eoin Reddan and Jordi Murphy all return from Ireland duty while full-back Zane Kirchner will make his 40th appearance for the province.

Meanwhile Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend also has an increased squad at his disposal as nine players who featured for Scotland last weekend return to club action.

Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour and Mark Bennett headline the returners as Glasgow attempt to secure a first-ever season double over Leinster following their 22-20 triumph at Scotstoun in round one.

And Townsend is hopeful that his internationals can inspire the Warriors to victory on the ground where they narrowly lost last season’s PRO12 final.

“We're looking forward to returning to action after our recent break and we've been boosted this week by the return of our Scotland internationals,” said Townsend.

“We've had some great battles with Leinster over the past few seasons and we're expecting another one.

“It'll be the first time we've returned to the RDS since last season's PRO12 final and we know we'll need to play our best rugby if we're to come away with a positive result against the defending champions.”

At RDS Arena, 7.35pm.
Live on TG4 and BBC Scotland

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 121st competition game)
Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson, Barry Kieran (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU )
TMO: Seamus Fannery (IRFU )

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