Countdown to the RaboDirect PRO12 Final: 3 days to go

Saturday's RaboDirect PRO12 Final may well be the Brian O'Driscoll show, as the legendary centre bows out for the last time, but his trusty partner for club and country is not one to be taken lightly.

Gordon D'Arcy has been the man on O'Driscoll's inside shoulder for more than ten years and they have had no shortage of success, winning the competition on three occasions.

D'Arcy has racked up 80 Ireland caps and 120 RaboDirect PRO12 appearances, dotting down 25 times in the process.

The 34-year-old has been a loyal servant to club and country and, though occasionally overshadowed by his partner in crime, D'Arcy is more than capable of causing Glasgow Warriors all manner of problems on Saturday.

A dynamic centre, whose quick feet and sharp hands have caused plenty of defences problems over the years, he is certain to play in important role in this year's RaboDirect PRO12 Final.


3 days to go - before last year's RaboDirect PRO12 title, Leinster had lost three straight Finals


The man charged with keeping a lid on D'Arcy this weekend is Glasgow and Scotland centre Alex Dunbar.

Dunbar has come into his own this season, collecting nine international caps since his debut last June and helping the Warriors to a maiden RaboDirect PRO12 Final.

The 24-year-old represented Scotland at U17, U18 and U20 level before making the step up and he has featured 48 times for Glasgow in the RaboDirect PRO12 since his 2009 debut against Ulster at Ravenhill.

Last season was something of a breakthrough year for the centre but this campaign, despite the interruption of international commitments, has seen him go one better.

Dunbar was the only Scottish player - and the only Scottish-based player - to be named in this year's RaboDirect PRO12 Team of the Season, despite making just nine regular-season appearances.

And, after playing 80 minutes in each of the Warriors' semi-final defeats at Leinster in the previous two years, he will be desperate to turn the tables and finish this season with a bang.

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