It's not often you get such a spread of optimism across the provincial sphere, and even rarer that Leinster are under the most pressure at this point of the campaign.
With the opening block of BKT United Rugby Championship action drawing to a close this weekend, a win would do wonders for both Leinster and Ulster’s seasons.
Leinster’s shock 31-14 loss to Munster in Croke Park sees them needing a victory over revived Italian minnows Zebre Parma (5.30pm) in order to keep the pressure off.
As for Richie Murphy’s Ulster, they’re the only side to take maximum points from their opening games and are looking to make it three wins on the bounce over South African opposition when they face the Emirates Lions (12.45pm).
Leinster’s slow start to the season was only compounded with the manner of the defeat in Croke Park, but it will be sure to have a galvanising effect on those who line out to face Parma.
Twenty-two Leinster players are currently in Chicago with Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad, with the likes of Jordan Larmour missing out through injury, but utility back Charlie Tector insisted that the squad are well up for the challenge at hand.
"We're sticking with what we know. This week, obviously, it's a lot of new faces. It's a different challenge for us," Tector told RTÉ Sport.
"The lads here today were buzzing for the opportunity this weekend. It is different for us because it's a tricky start to the season.
"Obviously, two games in South Africa and Munster at home. It's going to be a tough start to the season, win, lose or draw.
"We knew it was coming, so we were prepared. We're turning the page now this week and looking for an opportunity and another home game against Zebre."
The logjam effect of the routinely congested URC table means Leinster, who currently sit in 12th place, will be under the cosh to win as many games as possible from here on in if they are to secure a coveted top two spot.
"Every point counts in a competitive league like the URC," the Wexford man added.
"When we start at the end of the season, we don't mean to go out and lose two games. Every point is going to be vital from now on in."
With the raft of departures, Leo Cullen has named five debutants in the matchday squad including Bobby Sheehan, brother of Dan, and academy utility back Caspar Gabriel.
Hugo McLaughlin, Jerry Cahir and Alex Usanov are all set for their debuts as well, while Harry Byrne is fit to start at ou-thalf alongside captain Luke McGrath.
Leinster: Hugo McLaughlin; Joshua Kenny, Hugh Cooney, Charlie Tector, Andrew Osborne; Harry Byrne, Luke McGrath; Jerry Cahir, John McKee, Rabah Slimani; Brian Deeny, Diarmuid Mangan; Max Deegan, Scott Penny, James Culhane.
Replacements: Bobby Sheehan, Alex Usanov, Andrew Sparrow, RG Snyman, Alex Soroka, Will Connors, Fintan Gunne, Caspar Gabriel.
Ulster, spending the week approximately 13,500 kilometres south in Johannesburg, are seeking to close out this opening block unbeaten and make it four wins on the bounce to start the season, as they did back in 2021.
The in-form side are without Ireland quartet Iain Henderson, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale but assistant coach Willie Faloon feels that winning without that core group would be a statement to the league, and to themselves.
"We've had some players come out to bolster our numbers but we're probably down a couple and then you're losing four lads who have lots of IQ and are big leaders around the group as well, so it is disruptive, but I think the lads have been going well," the former Ulster flanker said during the week.
"It would be a statement for our squad. To lose the four guys that we have, for our squad to step up and deliver a performance as good would be a huge statement."
If Ulster are to win in Ellis Park for the second time in three visits, they will need a big showing from their Ireland XV contingent, which includes the dazzling half-back duo of Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy.
Captain of that squad Tom Stewart starts at flanker, with Bryn Ward, brother of the returning Zac Ward, set for his debut from the bench.
Ulster: Michael Lowry; Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Zac Ward; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Sam Crean, Rob Herring (capt), Tom O'Toole; Harry Sheridan, Joe Hopes; David McCann, Tom Stewart, Juarno Augustus.
Replacements: James McCormick, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, Bryn Ward, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Werner Kok.
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