Brian O’Driscoll will return to the starting line-up for the RaboDirect PRO12 final and the Leinster legend has vowed his side will right the wrongs of seasons past against Ulster on Saturday. For three years in a row the Boys in Blue have ended up second best in the league despite having claimed two Heineken Cup crowns in that time. Last year they fell to the Ospreys on Grand Final day courtesy of a last-gasp Shane Williams try and a touchline conversion from Dan Biggar. But with Ulster coming to the RDS this weekend O’Driscoll, who missed the Amlin Challenge Cup final last weekend with a back problem, is desperate to set the record straight. “The previous year against Munster when we won the Heineken the week before I think we just got outplayed but I think we threw it away last year (against the Ospreys),” he said. “It really took the gloss off winning back to back Heineken Cups. I hope we are going to use that hurt. “I'm feeling miles better this week. At a push I could have played on Friday but with this coming up and the next six weeks I would hope I will be in good shape to take the pitch.” O’Driscoll’s return is certainly a boost on a last day for Joe Schmidt in charge of Leinster before he takes over as Ireland boss. Jonny Sexton and Isa Nacewa are also playing their last games for the province but Sean O’Brien is not risked with a knee injury ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia this summer. For Ulster John Afoa will start at tighthead in the only change to the team that defeated the Scarlets a fortnight ago. The All Black prop missed the play-off semi-final with a hamstring strain but has been passed fit for the end-of-season finale. Ulster did the double over Leinster in the regular season this year but were given a lesson in last year's Heineken Cup final between the two sides and Anscombe insists his side will need to produce their best under pressure. “It's great to be able to welcome John back into the starting line-up,” said head coach Mark Anscombe. “John and players like Ruan (Pienaar) and Johann (Muller) have been part of World Cup winning squads. “When the big moments come, they are cool heads under pressure and you can't put a price on that. When you put them together with our Ireland internationals and our excellent young players like Stuart Olding then you have a great mix. “However, Leinster are a quality team and we have a huge amount of respect for them. They will ask a lot of questions of us and we will have to play at our very best to beat them. “This is a massive match, a local derby and it is an occasion that everyone at Ulster is looking forward to. In recent seasons Ulster have been the bridesmaids too often. We have done our learning – it's now time to step up and to prove that we are good enough.” At RDS Dublin, 4.45pm. Referee: John Lacey (IRFU, 28th competition game) Assistant Referees: George Clancy, Peter Fitzgibbon (both IRFU) 4th & 5 th Officials: Leo Colgan, Olly Hodges (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Achille Reali (FIR) TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU) Live on BBC Northern Ireland, RTE, BBC ALBA, TG4, BBC Wales and Sportitalia 2
