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This weekend an ancient battle between two tribes that first started warring over two thousand years ago resumes. This time on foreign soil for the Heineken Cup.
The high kings of Ireland ruled their five provinces – Ulster, Leinster, Meath, Connacht and Munster. They battled for supremacy, each seeking to dominate the other. Some of the most bitter clashes were between Leinster and Ulster. Leinster regularly triumphed to be Highest King of Ireland.
This Saturday, the two tribes of Leinster and Ulster meet again, seeking to be the Kings of Europe and the European Cup winners. Bragging rights abound.
It’s the first final between Pro12 clubs. The first between two Irish teams. Ulster, the first Irish team to win the trophy against Leinster, are seeking to win their third crown in four years. If they do in many people’s eyes it will surpass even the four victories of Toulouse.
Whoever lifts the cup on Saturday, Irish provincial rugby will be the winner. Since 2006, there will be five Irish winners. With Ulster’s victory in 1999, they’ll be on a par with England’s six victories since the tournament began in 1995. (A stark contrast to the fortunes of the national team.)
A Leinster victory would make them the first team to go through the competition undefeated, with eight wins and a draw. They would be only the second team to win back-to-back titles.
Victory for the Red Hand of Ulster, on the other hand, would galvanise the sport of rugby for this unique dual-country province, with its nine counties spread across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Ulster’s rugby fan-base is growing. They’re expanding their Ravenhill stadium for next season. 40,000 travelled to Dublin to see them win their semi-final two weeks ago.
Former GAA footballers, hardened Antrim famers, and Belfast city boys have been blended with South African hardmen, and New Zealand World Cup winners to create a team that seeks to become top dog in Ireland and Europe.
They’ve already disposed of two-time winners, Munster, at their Thomond fortress, and now they’re focussed on toppling the men from Laigin.
John Afoa, Johann Muller and Pedrie Wannenburg have combined with Rory Best, Chris Henry, Dan Tuohy and the rampaging Stephen Ferris to create a formidable scrum. Behind them marshaling the troops is nominated European Player of the Year, Ruan Piennar and his deadly boot, along with the ever-sprightly thirty-something Stefan Terblanche at full-back. Complementing this is a smattering of some of the best academy talent to emerge in Ireland over the last decade: Paddy Jackson, Craig Gilroy and Nevin Spence.
Even though they failed to make the league playoffs, Ulster scored the most tries in the Pro12 this season, and they also know how to close out a match with long-range penalty kicks.
On the European trail, they’ve taken some tough scalps to go with Munster’s including Leicester Tigers and French Top 14 champions, Clermont Auvergne.
Because they missed the playoffs, they’ve had the advantage of an extra week’s rest over their southern provincial rivals.
Leinster have wowed the fans and the critics this season with some scintillating back play and sumptuous tries along the way.
They finished the regular season league on top and are through to the Pro 12 Final against Welsh outfit, Ospreys. If they win on Saturday it’ll be their third chance to win the double after failing in 2009 and 2011. They’re the number one-ranked European team and the bookies have backed them accordingly.
But the season has taken its toll with injuries to key players.
Brian O’Driscoll was out for most of the season, only recently returned, but had to have keyhole surgery on his knee last Friday. He says he’ll be ready to play – nothing will keep him away. Luke Fitzgerald on the wing, back to some of his best form, has another neck injury and is out.
Brad Thorn was drafted into for three months to fill in for injured captain, Leo Cullen. Cullen is back playing, but so is Thorn who has proved his Rugby World Cup-winning worth in just three matches for the men in Blue.
Jonny Sexton, while faltering in the green shirt, has been masterful for the men in blue, calling the plays that wins them matches, including the second-half blitz in the semi-final against Clermont. He along with Rob Kearney, are two other nominees for European Player of the Year.
Joe Schmidt has mixed and matched his squad to great effect during the season, bringing on some new academy players such as Eoin O’Malley and Fergus Mcfadden.
But last week’s playoff semi-final took its toll, with O’Malley being joined on the sidelines by Darcy (concussion), Healy (ankle), and O’Driscoll and Rob Kearney also sitting out the match.
Schmidt may have to shuffle the deck once more when he names his team on Friday lunchtime.
Whatever the teams, it promises to be a real humdinger come Saturday evening, as 85,000 odd head for Twickenham to see who will be the victor of the Heineken Cup.
The writings of old tell us that Ulster in the north is the seat of battle valour, of haughtiness, strife, boasting; the men of Ulster are the fiercest warriors of all Ireland, and the queens and goddesses of Ulster are associated with battle and death.
Leinster, the history books say, is the eastern kingdom, and the seat of prosperity, hospitality, the importing of rich foreign wares like silk or wine; the men of Leinster are noble in speech and their women are exceptionally beautiful. That was then. The Ladyboys of old now have a carapace of steel, hearts of murder and minds bent on mischief and skillful mayhem.
Let battle commence to see who will be the next High Kings of Ireland and of Europe.
As the old song goes, “When Two Tribes go to War, a point is all that you can score.”
Maybe that’ll just be the difference.
Don’t miss it.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.