Les Kiss is braced for a ‘classic’ Leinster onslaught at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday as Ulster look to enhance their play-off credentials against their provincial rivals. Ulster moved past Scarlets into fourth place in the Guinness PRO12 with a win over Zebre last time out, but with league-leaders Leinster arriving in Belfast on Saturday aiming to move a step closer to a home semi-final, Kiss knows they will face a stern test. Kiss’ men have lost once in their last four – away to Glasgow Warriors in round 18 – and Kingspan has been a fortress for them since the turn of the year, a 20-21 reverse to Scarlets in round 15 a rare blip. Ireland’s Stuart McCloskey, Andrew Trimble and Chris Henry all start for Ulster, while Tommy Bowe misses out after his knee reacted badly to last week’s run-out against Zebre. Ricky Lutton will make his 50th appearance for Ulster alongside Rory Best and Callum Black, while Paddy Jackson and Ruan Pienaar link up in the half-backs again. With Wayne Pivac’s side just two points behind the Ulstermen, Kiss is aware a positive result is vital against a Leinster side packed with internationals. “We’ve got a good preparation week building for what is a classic in our calendar. It’s not going to be easy, we know that," he said. “To face Leinster this week just puts the magnifying glass around it. The players they have, the quality particularly with Mike Ross and Cian Healy coming back and the possibility of Sean O’Brien coming back this week, sees them in a very good place. “The likes of Richardt Strauss and Josh van der Flier can get on to the ball fairly quickly and in itself that is part of their strength. “We just do not expect anything else than a massive, massive challenge.” Leo Cullen’s side are level on 68 points with Connacht and, with the men from Galway and Glasgow Warriors playing each other on the final weekend, a win would all-but secure a home semi-final for the four times Guinness PRO12 champions. Dave Kearney makes his 100th Leinster appearance, while Johnny Sexton’s return has proved a welcome boost for Cullen’s men, with Garry Ringrose back in the starting XV alongside Ben Te’o in the centres. Jamie Heaslip joins Rhys Ruddock and Van der Flier in the back row, while Jack McGrath starts ahead of Cian Healy. And coach Girvan Dempsey is grateful that Leinster’s fate remains under their own control with two league games remaining – with Ulster very much the focus. “You look at that last game between Connacht and Glasgow in Galway, that could decide a lot," the former Ireland full-back said. “We're in a position now for the last two games where we can control our own destiny and we can decide where we finish in the table. That starts this Saturday against Ulster. "We're fighting for that home semi-final and they're certainly in the mix and obviously looking over their shoulder at Scarlets behind them." At Kingspan Stadium, 3pm Live on Sky Sports Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 81st competition game) Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, Leo Colgan (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU) TMO: Seamus Flannery (IRFU)
