A historic occasion awaits as the climax of the Guinness PRO14 sees nominal hosts Glasgow Warriors looking to beat defending champions Leinster at Celtic Park.

After 152 domestic games, it all comes down to this, as the respective Conference winners, who made it through the knockout rounds, face off for silverware.

Leinster defied a cagey first half against inter-provincial rivals Munster to secure their spot with a 24-9 win while Glasgow bulldozed past Ulster 50-20 in a try-fest at Scotstoun Stadium.

Expect the most intriguing of contests as giants from Scotland and Ireland battle to the lift the trophy.

What’s at stake?

A place in the history books, with the winner’s named etched onto the Guinness PRO14 trophy.

There are host of underlying aspects to consider, starting with Leinster winning the only final between the two sides – a 34-12 triumph at the RDS Arena.

But the Leinstermen have not beaten the Warriors in Scotland since November 2012, when it finished 6-0 to the Irish side thanks to two Ian Madigan penalties.

The Irish province is looking to match their achievement from 2012-13 and 2013-14 by retaining the trophy, while Glasgow are pushing to make it two wins from three appearances in the final.

Team news (Glasgow Warriors): Stuart Hogg will play his last game for the club, starting in a back-three with DTH van der Merwe, who has scored in his two previous appearances in PRO14 finals.

Tommy Seymour, who scored a brace of tries against Ulster seven days ago also starts, as do Sam Johnson and Kyle Steyn outside of Ali Price and Adam Hastings.

It’s a full Scotland international front-row, Jamie Bhatti and Zander Fagerson starting either side of Fraser Brown.

Scott Cummings and Jonny Gray pack down together again in the second row while in the back row, Rob Harley and Matt Fagerson start alongside captain Callum Gibbins.

The inclusion of Siua Halanukonuka on the bench is the only change to the matchday 23 from the win against Ulster last weekend.

Pete Horne’s inclusion on the bench makes it eight players in the squad who featured in Glasgow’s successful 2015 Final in Belfast.

Team news (Leinster): Rob Kearney comes in at full-back, with Jordan Larmour moving to the right wing and James Lowe continuing on the left.

Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose are again in the centre, with Luke McGrath and captain Johnny Sexton the half-backs.

In the pack, Cian Healy, Seán Cronin and Tadhg Furlong start, with Scott Fardy and James Ryan in the second row behind them.

Vice-captain Rhys Ruddock starts at blindside flanker, with Josh van der Flier on the openside and Jack Conan at No. 8 in the back row.

Talking points

Glasgow Warriors head coach Dave Rennie said: “We’re excited to represent our city and our families at what is going to be an amazing occasion for Glasgow.

“The noise that 10,000 people make in Scotstoun is deafening, so to play in front of more than 40,000 of our supporters is going to be a special experience.

“Leinster are a world-class side with hardened finals experience, so we’re going to have to play better than we have all season to lift the trophy.”

Leinster backs coach Felipe Contepomi said: “We need to be better. We need to improve and go another notch in terms of attack and defence.

“Glasgow are probably the team on form. They have had a great semi-final, where they played really well against Ulster.

“It’s not their home ground but it’s their home city, so it’s going to be a massive challenge where we have to show our best performance to get in there and get a good result.”

Key battle – Stuart Hogg v Rob Kearney

The clash of the full-backs is one full of international calibre and match-winning quality – with Glasgow Warriors Stuart Hogg looking to best his Leinster counterpart Rob Kearney.

Despite featuring in just eight domestic matches so far this term, Scotland international Hogg has been imperious with ball in hand – registering 11 clean breaks and 21 defenders beaten.

It’s been a similar tale for the Irishman Kearney, who has racked-up 381 metres made in just seven appearances. He also grabbed two tries when the two sides faced-off at the RDS Arena when Warriors toppled the Irish outfit 39-24 on home turf last month.

The pair, who were both part of the British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa in 2013, have missed time in 2018-19 but they are the type of gamebreakers any side needs for a big final – expect them to step up here.

Key stat: Glasgow’s only defeat in their last five fixtures against Leinster in the Guinness PRO14 was by a solitary point in a match which finished 31-30 at the RDS Arena in April 2017.

Did you know? Celtic Park hosts its first game of rugby union 110 years after it was the venue for a rugby league international between England and Australia. It will be the 46th different ground used for a Championship encounter and the seventh different venue for a final.

Glasgow Warriors: Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour, Kyle Steyn, Sam Johnson, DTH van der Merwe, Adam Hastings, Ali Price; Jamie Bhatti, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Jonny Gray, Rob Harley, Callum Gibbins (capt), Matt Fagerson

Replacements: Grant Stewart, Oli Kebble, Siua Halanukonuka, Ryan Wilson, Tom Gordon, George Horne, Pete Horne, Huw Jones

Leinster Rugby: Rob Kearney, Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Johnny Sexton (capt), Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Seán Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Scott Fardy, James Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan****

Replacements: Bryan Byrne, Ed Byrne, Andrew Porter, Ross Molony, Max Deegan, Nick McCarthy, Ross Byrne, Rory O’Loughlin

TV: Live on Premier Sports, Eir Sport, TG4 and Supersport, 6.30pm kick-off at Celtic Park

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 180th Championship appearance)

AR1: Mike Adamson (SRU), AR2: John Lacey (IRFU)

TMO: Ian Davies (WRU)

The Guinness PRO14 Final is one of the most entertaining games in the rugby calendar and takes place in Glasgow’s Celtic Park on May 25. Tickets start at just £25 for adults, £1 for kids. Visit www.pro14rugby.org/finaltickets