It’s four years since Leinster Rugby last lifted silverware, and although the United Rugby Championship isn’t the trophy they would have prioritised at the start of the season, it’s the one that’s in front of them right now. Can they put the fizz back into the final weeks of this season and set up a grandstand finish in Croke Park next weekend?

Standing in their way are the defending champions Glasgow Warriors — and you can bet that they’re in Dublin with a point to prove after two disappointing trips already this season. Can they cause a shock and keep their defence on track?

Kick off at the Aviva Stadium is at 2.45pm.

TEAM NEWS: Here’s a reminder of how Leinster line out — no Garry Ringrose and no Hugo Keenan, but Tommy O’Brien returns. Jordie Barrett starts in midfield alongside Jamie Osborne, and RG Snyman — named as URC Players’ Player of the Year yesterday — is among the replacements.

Leinster

15. Jimmy O’Brien
14. Tommy O’Brien
13. Jamie Osborne
12. Jordie Barrett
11. James Lowe
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Jamison Gibson-Park 

1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Thomas Clarkson
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Ryan Baird
7. Scott Penny
8. Jack Conan (captain)

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Jack Boyle
18. Rabah Slimani
19. RG Snyman
20. Max Deegan
21. Luke McGrath
22. Ross Byrne
23. Ciarán Frawley

TEAM NEWS: Leinster may be missing a few familiar faces, but so too are Glasgow with Huw Jones and Zander Fagerson both ruled out.

Sione Tuipulotu will be one to watch, as ever.

Glasgow Warriors

15. Josh McKay
14. Kyle Steyn (captain)
13. Sione Tuipulotu
12. Tom Jordan
11. Kyle Rowe
10. Adam Hastings
9. George Horne

1. Jamie Bhatti
2. Gregor Hiddleston
3. Fin Richardson
4. Alex Samuel
5. Scott Cummings
6. Euan Ferrie
7. Rory Darge
8. Henco Venter

Replacements:

16. Johnny Matthews
17. Rory Sutherland
18. Sam Talakai
19. Max Williamson
20. Jack Mann
21. Macenzzie Duncan
22. Stafford McDowall
23. Jamie Dobie

Strong eye contact from Jack Conan during the pre-match formalities…

Andrea Piardi is our matchday referee.

Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Here come the sides. The rain is holding off in an overcast Dublin 4 for now… but for how long?

KICK OFF: Sam Prendergast gets underway, kicking towards the Havelock Square end — and within 10 seconds, Tommy O’Brien poaches for a brilliant turnover penalty!

1 mins — Leinster 0-0 Glasgow: Leinster go to the corner, secure possession, and start working through the phases.

TRY FOR LEINSTER! Leinster 7-0 Glasgow (Sheehan, 3′)

Super start for Leinster — and who else but Dan Sheehan? Glasgow’s defence holds firm as Leinster probe through the early phases, but with penalty advantage coming his way, Jamison Gibson-Park zips a flat skip pass to Sheehan who barrels through a gap in the defensive line.

It’s an easy one for Prendergast who converts.

TRY FOR GLASGOW! Leinster 7-5 Glasgow (Horne, 5′)

What an electric start to this game, as Glasgow hit back immediately through George Horne. The first time they get their hands on the ball, Glasgow look to go wide. Kyle Rowe kicks through into space and Horne has the wheels to get there first and ground the ball in goal.

Horne takes the conversion himself, and misses it, but it’s the perfect response from the visitors.

5mins: LEIN 7-5 GLA
Glasgow responded perfectly on their first attack of the game to make it an exciting start in the Aviva.
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9 mins — Leinster 7-5 Glasgow: Sloppy from Leinster as a pass from Gibson-Park goes into touch. Glasgow take it quickly and kick deep into Leinster territory, and Jimmy O’Brien has no option but to clear to touch.

10 mins — Leinster 7-5 Glasgow: Tom Jordan makes a big gain as he runs at Sam Prendergast, but Leinster’s defence scramble and Andrew Porter does brilliantly to hold up Kyle Rowe and give Leinster the put-in to the scrum.

12 mins — Leinster 7-5 Glasgow: Jack Conan is pinged for going off his feet at the breakdown and Glasgow kick it to the 22.

13 mins — Leinster 7-5 Glasgow: Hairy moment for Leinster! Joe McCarthy does well to get up at the front of the lineout and bat it back on Leinster’s side, but then Gibson-Park scrambles to keep it in play and very nearly gifts it back to Glasgow. The visitors knock it on, and Leinster can clear. 

15 mins — Leinster 7-5 Glasgow: Leinster have the ball grounded, but it won’t count — James Lowe is penalised for being ahead of Scott Penny as he dives over to score, and Andrea Piardi is not interested in conversations or excuses. Big let-off for Glasgow.

17 mins — Leinster 7-5 Glasgow: George Horne is pinged for taking out Gibson-Park without the ball, and Prendergast kicks to touch to put Leinster in another very promising position.

18 mins — Leinster 7-5 Glasgow: There’s a nice simmering edge to this one now. Gregor Hiddleston thinks he’s clamped onto the ball, but he’s off his feet, and then a few phases later, Scott Cummings does the same and he’s cleared out by a James Ryan neck roll. Penalty Glasgow.

Andrea Piardi calls together both captains to ask them to dial down the spikiness when the ball’s not in play, but this one definitely feels like it’s coming to the boil.

19 mins — Leinster 7-5 Glasgow: And here comes the rain…

21 mins — Leinster 7-5 Glasgow: Leinster force the scrum penalty —  it’s against Jamie Bhatti — and with the advantage, Prendergast tries to disguise a clever kick in behind. Adam Hastings gets there first to hack it behind, but we’re back for a kickable penalty…

22 mins — PENALTY FOR LEINSTER! Leinster 10-5 Glasgow

Prendergast obliges; Leinster stretch their lead to five.

24 mins — Leinster 10-5 Glasgow: Glasgow kick in behind a few times to get Leinster turned and try to put them under pressure. Jordie Barrett and Tommy O’Brien need to look lively to get the ball to Lowe, who can clear.

HUGE from Leinster, and huge from Tommy O’Brien. Jamie Osborne thumps Tom Jordan in midfield and he spills it forward. O’Brien is quickest to react, and kicks ahead, and although Hastings is there to cover, he can’t gather the ball. Gibson-Park is first on the scene, and he sets Osborne clear to run it in under the posts.

Prendergast converts.

But wait… we’re checking a forward pass from Gibson-Park.

NO TRY! Leinster 10-5 Glasgow

The TMO intervenes before the restart, and on second look, it’s clearly forward from Gibson-Park. Another let-off for Glasgow, who are hanging on a bit at the moment.

TRY FOR LEINSTER! Leinster 15-5 Glasgow (Osborne, 28′)

Jamie Osborne wasn’t to be denied for long – he’s off the mark! The build-up play is lovely, with great hands from both Jimmy O’Brien and James Lowe — the latter flicking the ball out of the back of his hand — and Osborne runs it in in the corner.

Prendergast faces a tester from well out left, and he pushes it right and wide.

27mins: LEIN 15-5 GLA
Jamie Osborne puts the disappointment of a disallowed try behind him immediately. Prendergast sets it out right to miss the conversion.
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31 mins — Leinster 15-5 Glasgow: Andrew Porter has Fin Richardson’s number at the scrum here, and wins a clear penalty. Prendergast kicks it to within six or seven metres of the line. Another great chance here.

TRY FOR LEINSTER! Leinster 20-5 Glasgow (Clarkson, 32′)

Leinster strike again, and this game seems to be slipping away from Glasgow. Ryan Baird picks the lineout off the top, Sheehan is on the loop, but when he tries a switch to Lowe, Glasgow are alive to it. Leinster go again, and it’s a big carry from Thomas Clarkson, who is held up just short but has the strength to get his arm free and reach for the line to ground it.

Prendergast’s conversion attempt is from a similar position to the last one — and this time he drags it wide on the near side.

Leinster lead by 15.

32min: LEIN 20-5 GLA
Thomas Clarkson is in for a third Leinster try.
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38 mins — Leinster 20-5 Glasgow: Nothing is going Glasgow’s way at the moment and George Horne spills the ball. They’ll be looking to get to the break without shipping any further damage.

40 mins — Leinster 20-5 Glasgow: James Lowe just can’t get his hands on a pass from Ryan Baird, but we’re back for a penalty advantage for offside against Horne. Prendergast kicks to the corner with about 20 seconds left on the clock…

TRY FOR LEINSTER! Leinster 25-5 Glasgow (Sheehan, 40′)

Death, taxes, and the Dan Sheehan maul try. Conan picks off the top of the lineout and secures possession, Sheehan joins the party, and a few steps later, has his second try of the afternoon.

Prendergast whistles another conversion past the wrong side of the post but Leinster lead by 20 and Glasgow have a mountain to climb after the break.

HT: LEIN 25-5 GLA
Leinster's lethal lineout, 44th and 45th tries scored from the lineout this season to close out the first half to 'suffocate' Glasgow.
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HALF TIME: Leinster 25-5 Glasgow Warriors

SECOND HALF: Back underway, with a change at 10 for Glasgow – Stafford McDowall is on to replace Adam Hastings.

44 mins — Glasgow substitutions: Wholesale changes in the Glasgow pack now as Johnny Matthews, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai and Max Williamson all come in.

45 mins — Leinster 25-5 Glasgow: Nothing is going right for Glasgow. Leinster are winning everything in the air, and where Glasgow get there first, they’re spilling the ball forward.

48 mins — Leinster 25-5 Glasgow: Dan Sheehan is a half-foot away from a hat-trick from another lineout maul… and then Jordie Barrett knocks the ball on in-goal. He’d probably welcome Andrea Piardi having a look at the arm that was wrapped around his neck, but we play on.

49 mins — Leinster 25-5 Glasgow: Prendergast chips over the top and Tommy O’Brien is on to it — not for the first time — like a steam train. Unfortunately for them, Prendergast knocks it on as he tries to pick it up off his laces.

51 mins — Leinster 25-5 Glasgow: Glasgow are pinged for not releasing at the breakdown, and it leaves Prendergast with what looks to be reasonably straightforward shot at goal, a couple of metres off-centre to the right… and he hits the post. That’s two from six now for the Leinster out-half.

53 mins — Leinster 25-5 Glasgow: Glasgow are on a final warning here as Tom Jordan comes in from the side at the breakdown. This time, Prendergast goes to the corner…

TRY FOR LEINSTER! Leinster 32-5 Glasgow (Osborne, 54′)

Dan Sheehan gets two bites of the cherry as he goes in search of a hat-trick, but the Glasgow defence holds firm. Gibson-Park fizzes another beautiful pass to Osborne, and he has the simplest of finishes. Prendergast converts.

This one is well and truly done.

54min: LEIN 32-5 GLA
Another outstanding looping pass from Gibson-Park finds Osborne who launches over to extend Leinster's lead further against an under-pressure Glasgow.
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Leinster substitutions: Kelleher and Frawley are on for Sheehan and Barrett.

Glasgow made a change at nine a few minutes earlier — Jamie Dobie on for George Horne.

TRY FOR LEINSTER! Leinster 37-5 Glasgow (Frawley, 58)

Ciarán Frawley is only on the pitch, and he has his first try of the afternoon. Not for the first time this afternoon, it stems from a Glasgow kick and a Leinster win in the air — James Lowe winning the one-on-one with Steyn.

Leinster move it from left to right, and Tommy O’Brien comes within a yard of scoring the try that his performance deserves. When he gets wrapped up, Frawley is on his shoulder to score.

Another missed conversion by Prendergast — again, tucked out on the right touchline — but that’s just three from eight now for him.

57min: LEIN 37-5 GLA
Ciarán Frawley only on the field a few minutes and gets Leinster's sixth try of the game from a Tommy O'Brien setup.
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61 mins — Leinster substitution: And it’s one of Prendergast’s final acts of the day, as he’s given the final 20 minutes off as Ross Byrne comes in to make his final Aviva Stadium appearance for Leinster.

63 mins — Leinster 37-5 Glasgow: Jamie Osborne tries to dink a kick over the top of Steyn’s head for Lowe in behind, but Steyn wins this one.

69 mins — Leinster 37-5 Glasgow: End-to-end stuff as McKay steps around the tackle of Jamie Osborne and runs the ball back deep into Leinster territory, but a rare moment of Glasgow hope is snuffed out quickly as the ball goes to ground and Gibson-Park picks it up.

70 mins — Leinster 37-5 Glasgow: Glasgow come again through Scott Cummings, and then Leinster are pinged for not releasing in the tackle. Can Glasgow convert this short attacking lineout into a second try?

71 mins — Leinster 37-5 Glasgow: Leinster pinged again under their own posts for not supporting their weight at the breakdown. Glasgow take the tap and try to find a way through…

TRY FOR GLASGOW! Leinster 37-12 Glasgow (Dobie, 73′)

They finally get their try — Dobie scoots around the outside of Jack Boyle and runs it in under the posts. Glasgow take the conversion as a drop goal — they went to get on with — but this is far too little, far too late.

75 mins – Ryan Baird is named as Player of the Match

78 mins — Leinster 37-12 Glasgow: The clock is running out on this one as Glasgow win a penalty for a collapsed scrum and go to the corner again.

TRY FOR GLASGOW! Leinster 37-19 Glasgow (Tuipolotu, 79′)

Brilliant bit of individual flair from Sione Tuipolotu, who weaves his way around three Leinster tackles before scoring. We’ll see plenty of him in a Lions jersey this summer, no doubt.

FULL TIME: Leinster 37-19 Glasgow

So that’s it on an afternoon when Leinster frequently looked like the Leinster of old.

They dethrone the reigning champions Glasgow Warriors and book themselves home advantage for next week’s URC Grand Final against either the Bulls or the Sharks in Croke Park.

They’ll have a shot at winning the club’s first silverware in four seasons, so you’d better believe that they’ll be all out to finally end their long barren spell in the URC.

All eyes on Loftus Versfeld so as the Bulls host the Sharks, with kick-off at 5.15pm. The winners will be in Dublin next week with the URC title on the line.

That’s all from us for now, but stay with The 42 throughout the evening for all of the reaction and analysis from Ciarán Kennedy at the Aviva Stadium.

Thanks for reading.