Leinster may be looking to retain their RaboDirect PRO12 crown on Saturday but head coach Matt O’Connor insists Glasgow Warriors are the form side heading into the final at the RDS. The Warriors have won their last nine RaboDirect PRO12 encounters since their 25-28 reversal to Leinster at the RDS on 22 March. Glasgow also achieved their best ever league finish this season and have reached their first final after three defeats in the previous four years at the play-off stage. And O’Connor, who is bidding make Leinster the first ever side to retain the RaboDirect PRO12 crown, admits he’s wary of the Warriors. "They've been on a really good roll,” he said. “I think I said after the Ulster game that they have been the best side in the league post-Christmas, without a doubt. “We've got to make sure that we stop that momentum and we deliver on the things that make us good and nullify their strengths. “We're going to have to be very good across the board to contain and exert our pressure at key moments." Leinster are participating in a fifth straight final and have taken the title on three previous occasions; in 2001/02, 2007/08 and last season. The Irish region's only defeat in the RaboDirect PRO12 since round ten was at the Ospreys on April 11. Leinster have lost just once in any competition at the RDS since the 2012 RaboDirect PRO12 final – to Ulster on March 30 2013. O’Connor has made three changes from the team that beat Ulster 13-9 in the semi-final with two of those coming in the pack. Mike Ross comes in for Martin Moore while Mike McCarthy returns from injury in place of Quinn Roux. The other change sees Zane Kirchner coming in for Dave Kearney who has undergone surgery on his knee. For Glasgow there are two personnel changes to the team which beat Munster 16-15 in the play-off at Scotstoun, with Peter Horne coming in for Mark Bennett at centre and Gordon Reid replacing Ryan Grant at prop. Only one Scottish side has ever been victorious at the RDS but that was Glasgow by 23-19 on September 17 2011. But the Warriors have won only one of their last nine clashes against Leinster in all tournaments: 12-6 at Scotstoun in the RaboDirect PRO12 on September 20 2013, while the Glasgow side has won just once in 19 previous trips to Dublin to face Leinster. Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: “Making the final is a great achievement for the club and for Scottish rugby, but this is a big opportunity for us to take that next step. “We face a huge challenge tomorrow night as Leinster are the defending champions and have been one of the top sides in Europe for a number of years. “The squad have trained really well this week and everyone associated with the club can't wait to see the players perform in the final. “It is fantastic that so many Glasgow supporters will be travelling to Dublin to get behind the team.” At RDS Dublin , 6.15pm. Live on RTE/BBC ALBA/ BBC WALES/TG4/Mediaset Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 111th competition game) Assistant Referees: Leighton Hodges, Ian Davies (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: Maurizio Vancini (FIR) TMO: Derek Bevan (WRU)
