Leinster's 12-game winning run means they will return from South Africa after their double header against the Bulls and Sharks top of the BKT URC standings no matter how they fare.
Leo Cullen’s side have been clinical in how they have gone about their business so far and only failed to pick up bonus points in three of their dozen victories.
As well as leading the log by 13 points coming into round 13, they have scored most points (average of 30 per game) and won most turnovers (88).
Jake White’s Bulls are third in the standings but have lost two of their last three games in the tournament, all of which were in today’s venue, Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, where temperatures could hit 27C.
Their victory over the Lions came in between losses to Sharks and Stormers and they sit just two points clear of the Sharks.
White has handed a start to fit-again Cameron Hanekom at number 8 and Keegan Johannes is at out-half for the 3pm Irish time kick-off (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
The evergreen Willie le Roux is at full-back for what is a rematch of last season’s semi-final in which the Bulls prevailed 25-20.
The hosts have won their last three games against Irish opposition.
With the trip to the southern hemisphere falling after the Six Nations, Leinster have travelled minus most of their frontliners but the revealing of their line-up yesterday afternoon would suggest that they have learned the harsh lessons from last season’s trip to the Rainbow Nation.
They failed to pick up a point with a young travelling squad and ended up on the road for their semi-final. And that’s where the story ended.
In fact, the visitors have won just once in their last seven games in South Africa, against Lions in April 2023.
They start nine full internationals including Jordie Barrett, RG Snyman and Rabah Slimani, while the half-back pairing of Luke McGrath and Ross Byrne know how to control a game in difficult circumstances.
Prop Jack Boyle, after featuring twice in the Six Nations, also starts.
McGrath said: "Our record over the last few years in South Africa hasn’t been great, but it’s a different team here at the minute.
"We know there is a massive challenge ahead of us, but we have tried to flip it on its head and talk about what an amazing opportunity it is to play at Loftus, to play a world class team like the Bulls.
"We have a youngish squad here, but it’s a great opportunity and one we are really relishing. It’s an amazing place to play rugby."
While Leinster are sitting pretty, the rest of the table is compacted so that just four points separate the eight-placed Lions and Zebre in 15th.
A big win can boost any of the teams play-off places and that's exactly where Connacht find themselves ahead of their trip to Swansea to face Ospreys (5.15pm, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
Back-to-back wins over Cardiff and Benetton sees them level on points with Lions but outside the play-off places on points difference.
Pete Wilkins’ side are also without their Irish contingent of Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen, Finlay Bealham and Cian Prendergast and face an Ospreys side who claimed a late win at Glasgow last time and ran Leinster close in round 11.
They include the in-form Justin Tipuric and Morgan Morris in their back row.
58-cap Wales lock Adam Beard makes a welcome return for the Ospreys as they continue their push for the play-offs from 11th spot, just a point behind today’s visitors.
"They have an excellent team," said Connacht scrum coach Cullie Tucker.
"And I think that's where the URC has stepped up across the board.
"The quality of the squads is really, really good, which is making for competitive games and a lot of teams beating each other.
"They have plenty of X factor, so it's a big challenge for us."
The visitors have won just once on the road in the URC since last April, that being a 24-23 win over Scarlets in round three, however, they are on a 13-game winning streak against Welsh opposition.
Depending on results elsewhere this weekend, Connacht could be as high as sixth if they returned with a bonus-point win.
Ulster, following losses to Zebre and Benetton, recorded a much-needed win against Scarlets in the last round and head coach Richie Murphy knows time is running out as they bid to push from 14th to the knock-out places.
"We really don't have any more room for slip-ups," he admitted ahead of this afternoon's visit to Rodney Parade to take on bottom of the table Dragons (5.15pm).
The Welsh side's only win in the tournament this season came when they beat Ospreys.
Murphy is without Cormac Izuchukwu and Iain Henderson but includes Ireland internationals Tom O'Toole, Rob Herring, Nick Timoney, Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey, James Hume and Mike Lowry in his starting XV.
Dragons coach Filo Tiatia said: "We are looking forward to the game against Ulster. They are a good side with a good set-piece and big ball carriers.
"They have got threats across the park, so it will be a good challenge for us."
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow a live blog on Ireland v France in the Women's Six Nations on Saturday from 1pm on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra with second half commentary also on RTÉ Radio 1 from 2pm
Watch Glasgow v Munster (Friday, 7.35pm), Bulls v Leinster (Saturday, 3pm) and Ospreys v Connacht in the United Rugby Championship on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
