Former Ireland captain and manager Donal Lenihan looks ahead to Ulster's Challenge Cup semi-final against Exeter, and Leinster's Champions Cup clash with Toulon.
This is a huge opportunity for Ulster, 80 minutes away from what could hopefully be a double-header, if Ulster and Leinster advance, in Bilbao in a couple of weeks' time in their respective finals.
Ulster have been outstanding all year but they've just hit a bit of a blip in the last few weeks. Leinster were very good when they beat them in Belfast a couple of weeks ago.
They sent a weakened team down to Munster last week and got hammered. I think a lot depends if they can get people like Angus Bell back in their side. At their best, they're a really competent team.
Exeter, on the other hand, we saw what they were like, 31-0 in the opening half against Munster in the last 16 of this competition.
But I'm hoping that home advantage and [Ulster] get their frontline players back should be enough to get them over the line in that one.
Leinster are so difficult to get a real feel for them.
They've been inconsistent all year. I felt they were hitting the ground running just at the right time when they went to Belfast a couple of weeks ago and won 29-21.
And then they got to Benetton last week and lose with what was a starting team, I think they had 12 internationals.
So, unfortunately, they've been up and down. They weren't tested in the round of 16 or quarter-finals in Europe when they walked over Edinburgh and Sale but they have a real test on their hands tomorrow (3pm).
Toulon are a really strong side. They beat Glasgow in Glasgow in the quarter-final. Nobody expected that.
You look at their forwards up front. They have the likes of Charles Ollivon, who was outstanding for France in the Six Nations.
Front row, really competent: Jean-Baptiste Gros was the starting loosehead for France; Kyle Sinckler, a former England and British and Irish Lions player, on the tighthead side.
And it looks as if Andrew Porter will be starting, which is great but Tadhg Furlong could be out so that evens things up.
But from a Leinster perspective, that [2025] semi-final defeat to Northampton has haunted them all year.
Apparently, they've had clips and comments up in their training base in Dublin as a consequence of that.
I go for Leinster, not because of any tactical scenario, but I think it's a game they have to win because I just think they can't afford to lose it.
I think the ramifications would be huge.
Donal Lenihan was speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland
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