RaboDirect PRO12 Final preview

Indeed, since the very first season the play-offs system was introduced in 2009, Leinster have made it to the final each time, ensuring this will be their fifth in a row.

It will also be the third final in a row held at the RDS but of their four previous showdowns, Leinster have managed to lift the crown only once - last year when they saw off Ulster 24-18.

But while it's a first final for the Warriors, these two sides are no strangers to each other.

Leinster have got the better of the Warriors in the last two semi-finals they have played - by four points in 2012 and by two in 2013.

And Shane Jennings is only too aware of the need for Leinster to up their game, having squeezed past Ulster in the semi-finals.

"It was encouraging that we did perform well in defence in the play-off match because they (Ulster) were giving it to us and we were under pressure at times," Jennings told the Irish Independent.

"But we held to the system and the way we wanted to defend. It gives us good confidence that when we do what we're told - under pressure - it pays off.

"We held steady and that builds confidence in our defensive system. We're not getting too carried away though.

"It was good but we'll have to do a lot better if we want to win the trophy because it's been a tough old couple of months to get to here. So we want to do it justice."

The Warriors' regular season trip to the RDS was another close call - Leinster edged home 28-25 - but flying winger Tommy Seymour believes his side can take confidence from their near misses.

He said: "Obviously we have been very close in the last two play-off semis with Leinster at the RDS, and in particular in last season's semi, we felt that if we had taken it to extra-time we had a real chance to go on and win.

"But what we have to do is put all of that experience to good use this time around.

"We know the environment we are going into, we know the team we are up against very well, so it is not a journey into the unknown and we know that these games with Leinster swing on very small margins.

"We will be going there with a bit of a chip on our shoulder, but we are very much going there with the belief that we can get the win."

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