Both clubs face a Heineken Cup semi-final the following week, with Leinster able to wrap up top spot with a win while Ulster desperately need a victory to keep alive their own hopes of making the RaboDirect PRO12 play-offs.

Add in Ulster's desire to avenge a 42-13 loss earlier in the season, Irish bragging rights and competition for places to be on Ireland's summer tour of New Zealand, and there are all the ingredients for an explosive encounter at Ravenhill, where Brian McLaughlin's side have lost just once in their last 20 games.

And although Leinster have lost just once against Ulster in their last 16 meetings D'Arcy fully expects to have his hands full from the off.

He said:"It is a massive game this weekend against Ulster. They made 12 changes from the weekend [against Connacht] so they are going to come out all guns blazing and they have got a semi-final the following week.

"There are a lot of subplots to this game as it is an inter-pro match - they need the win and both teams need the win before going into the big match the following week.

"What has got us here has been good enough to get us here but it won't be good enough to get us farther down the road. Work, work, work is the name of the game for the rest of the season and that starts at Ulster this weekend.

"They are showing exactly what they are capable of with a win at Thomond [in the Heineken Cup] and then with 12 changes nearly turning Connacht over at the Sportsground.

"It is going to be an inter-pro game which is always a massive, massive match but there's always that undercurrent of bragging rights wanting to get one over on the guys you are playing against for positions."

A Leinster victory would also secure a first clean sweep by an Irish province in a season - winning all six inter-provincial clashes - and head coach Joe Schmidt has named 13 Irish-qualified players in his starting XV.

Meanwhile, Brian McLaughlin has reacted to their 26-12 reverse to Connacht but making nine personnel changes and another two positional changes although flanker Stephen Ferris and Rory Best remain kept under wraps.

Veteran Stefan Terblanche starts at full-back in what could be his last appearance at Ravenhill but even if this is his swansong the 36-year-old believes he will be leaving Ulster in a strong position.

"I'd never want to stand in the way of a young local guy getting on the team and coming through the ranks," he said.

"Our role as overseas players is not just on the pitch, it's off-field as well and it's good sometimes for the guys to see how we train down south, things we do differently.

"I think that's very important. Yes we have to perform on the field but for me it's most important to help to develop young players.

"In Ulster there's a lot of growth and depth just now. There's a lot of competition for places and that brings out the best in any player.

"I would like to leave knowing that the young full-backs and wingers that I have played with here are better players because of something, even just something small that they've picked up from me."

At Ravenhill, 7.05pm.
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU, 21st competition game)
Assistant Referees: Peter Fitzgibbon, Olly Hodges (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner : Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)

Live on BBC NI and RTE.