Tonight’s game arrives at a time and fashion that wasn’t what any of us expected, but six months on from when life changed I hope the Guinness PRO14 Final is a very welcome sign of better days ahead. I hope you have the best spot on the sofa picked out, refreshments are at arms’ length and that family members have been warned not to obstruct the TV. After some great drama in our Semi-Finals we’re confident that Leinster and Ulster can serve up another helping of excitement and cutting-edge rugby. Certainly, Ulster will need to be at their very best to inflict a first defeat on Leinster in over a calendar year. Leo Cullen’s squad – emphasis on the wider group – is full of eye-watering talent while the former Leinster captain has shrewdly assembled a coaching team that draws from all walks of rugby life. Comparisons have been made by some with the Ajax team of the 1970s and 80s where their dominance was built by a conveyor-belt academy that delivered top-class players to the first team year after year. Leinster are arguably one of the best club sides in the world and that sets a high bar for everyone in the Guinness PRO14. We see our league as one where youth is given a chance to flourish around the established stars of the world game as dozens of new internationals emerge each year. Our clubs invest smartly in sharp coaching talent to produce attractive rugby that so often sees our teams outperform the others on the European battlefields. Dan McFarland is such a great example of this. Ulster haven’t reached the final by accident, their incredible second-half display against Edinburgh saw them become only the second team to win away from home in the Guinness PRO14 Semi-Finals. His team are so well coached which is evidenced by their great link play between forwards and backs and their good record when it comes to discipline – I’m told they’re one of the least penalised teams in the league. They also have a difference-maker in Marcell Coetzee and his combination with Stuart McCloskey last week created that incredible score by Rob Lyttle. Just like Leinster they have bright young talent, established international players and a couple of overseas gems – not to mention their ice-cold kicker Ian Madigan waiting to strike from the bench. This game has all the aspects of a classic although it will not be played out in front of a familiar backdrop. Over the past four years we have set new attendance records at our Finals and now due to the pandemic the stadium doors must be shut. So, we put you in the very capable hands of our broadcasters, eir Sport, Premier Sports, TG4, DAZN, S4C and Super Sport. They will give you the best insights, draw out the emotion of the magic moments and hard-earned yards while bringing you the thoughts of the players and coaches in Dublin. In times where we have all had to rethink our game plans, I would like to pay huge thanks to our title partners Guinness and our broadcasters who have been hugely supportive in our drive to get back on the pitch. I also wish to thank Ronseal, Big Red Cloud, Gilbert and Macron for their commitment as we work hard to make sure your teams can emerge from this period in a good place. Now, chill the drinks, fill the snack bowls and turn up the volume. Let our finalists entertain you. Enjoy the game, Martin Anayi, CEO, Pro Rugby Championship
