Finals weekend is coming up in both the Premiership and the United Rugby Championship (URC).
Bath play Leicester Tigers at Twickenham in the Prem, while Leinster host the Vodacom Bulls at Croke Park in the URC.
Despite both being the final of a play-off system, it sees the first-placed teams from the regular season playing against second.
As a result, both games are expected to be extremely close, given that there isn’t much to split them on paper.
Here, Charlie Elliott goes through some of the key player matchups that could heavily influence the result of each match.
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Tom Dunn v Julian Montoya
It’s going to be Tigers captain Montoya’s last appearance for the club, ahead of his move to Pau in the summer.
This means that he will have an added motivation of wanting to go out on a high for the club that he has over 75 appearances for.
Dunn has different reasons for being up for this final.
The Bath hooker was part of the team that finished bottom of the Premiership just three years ago and has the chance to complete the epic turnaround that his side have been on.
Dunn’s personal growth has been clear to see, and he is now one of the key members of this squad.
While it is a final, meaning that everyone will be up for it, these two may be more than most.
Beno Obano v Joe Heyes
A lot has been made about Bath’s ‘Bomb Squad’ this season, with them being able to bring some serious firepower off the bench.
Starting at loosehead is Obano, who has had a great season so far and is one of the members of the ‘Bomb Squad’.
Up against Joe Heyes, an England international, he will have to fight off some serious power himself.
Both are excellent scrummagers but can deliver around the field.
Obano is another in the same ilk as Dunn in that he was part of the squad that finished bottom three years ago.
With a point to prove, it could be a long afternoon for Heyes.
Ted Hill v Hanro Liebenberg
In the back row, one of the best athletes in the Prem will go up against one of the in-form players across the whole season.
Hill is widely regarded as being the best athlete in the entire Bath team, including the backs and is both extremely fast but also hugely powerful.
Liebenberg may not be as quick as Hill, but he is extremely powerful and an elite ball carrier who has been a brilliant player for the Tigers this season.
The South African is an all-arounder and can do it on both sides of the ball, in a similar fashion to Hill.
Finn Russell v Handre Pollard
In terms of fly-halves, it doesn’t get much more competitive than this.
Pollard is widely described as being one of the best big game players in the world, having been part of two World Cup wins with the Springboks.
Meanwhile, Russell’s quality is difficult to match, and the British and Irish Lion is one of the most exciting players in his position.
Both are outstanding with their boot, possess immense playmaking abilities and have a huge amount of game intelligence.
Although a lot of the focus regarding this game will be on the forwards, both teams will need their number tens to deliver some solid playmaking when called upon.
Jack Conan v Marcell Coetzee
Leinster’s gap at number eight has been well covered by Jack Conan, following Caelan Doris’ long-term injury.
Conan has stepped up both on the pitch and off it, also being the captain of the club in Doris’ absence.
He will be up against a seasoned veteran in Marcell Coetzee, who has over 30 caps for the Springboks and over a decade of club experience.
A great ball carrier, Coetzee has experienced Irish rugby during a five-year spell with Ulster, finishing runners-up in the Pro14 (the URC’s predecessor) in 2020.
Sam Prendergast v Johan Goosen
Plenty has been made of Sam Prendergast this season, for better or for worse, but the fly-half has a chance to silence the critics on a big occasion.
A supremely talented youngster, the hype that surrounded him has since turned to criticism, with every performance of his coming under some serious scrutiny.
Defensive issues have plagued his game, but his work with the ball is nothing short of remarkable, sometimes given his age.
If he is to step up in this final, it would send a massive statement that he is here to stay at the top level of rugby.
He is up against South African Johan Goosen, who hasn’t played for the Springboks in almost ten years.
More of a utility back, Goosen is very well-rounded as a player and could prove to be a big challenge for Prendergast.
The young Ireland star being at his best would be a huge boost to Leinster’s title chances.
Andrew Porter v Wilco Louw
South Africa is absolutely stacked at tighthead, and Louw has a tough task on his hands going up against a British and Irish Lion.
Porter is Leinster’s loosehead and has been a cornerstone for both Leinster and Ireland.
Known for his relentless work rate, he excels in both scrummaging and open play.
An absolute monster on the front row, Porter is extremely powerful and is just an extremely solid player who does the basics to an extremely high level.
Up against Louw, who is also an absolute tank at 144kg, it won’t be easy for the Ireland international, but he will hope to give his backs a good platform to work from.
Louw’s role is crucial for the Bulls because they need to win the physical battle if they are to get anything from this final, and he is key in that.
James Lowe v Canan Moodie
Lowe, known for his powerful running and playmaking, has been instrumental in both Leinster and Ireland’s successes.
His ability to read the game and create opportunities makes him a constant threat out wide.
Moodie, a rising star for the Bulls and the Springboks, brings explosive speed and agility to the wing.
His recent experiences at Test level for the Springboks have shown just how highly rated he is within South Africa.
Both teams can play expansively when they’re in the mood for it, so these two may see a lot of the action.
By Charlie Elliott
READ MORE: Bath vs Leicester Tigers – Big Premiership Final Preview
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