Alan Quinlan joined OTB AM on Friday to talk about the second round of Pro14 derbies on Saturday, particularly Leinster’s clash with Ulster and Ian Madigan's impact.

The former Munster and Ireland flanker believes that Leinster would be disappointed with their performance last week and that they will be looking for an improvement against Ulster.

“They probably sat in the dressing room thinking it was too close for comfort, it didn’t have that feeling of a big derby win,” Quinlan said.

“They’ve got to be very mindful. I know it is a couple of weeks away, they play Munster most probably in a semi-final, then a Pro14 final.

“They’ll want to try and wrap up the Pro14 and win that before they really put their focus on that Saracens game.”

Although the next couple of weeks are likely to be busy for Leinster, Quinlan thinks that they won’t be looking past Ulster this weekend.

“They can’t look too far ahead either,” he said. “I think they’ll make a lot of changes for the Ulster game tomorrow night [Saturday].”

“I think both sides will make a number of changes, and it could be a completely new team for both sides so it will be an open game, you will see players trying to impress, and throw the ball around.”

Quinlan did not see much inspiration or spark from Ulster last week, which he says contributed to their poor performance against Connacht.

“Ulster last week were very disappointing against Connacht. They openly said they lacked spark, there was a lack of energy about their performance,” he said.

“Billy Burns (Ulster flyhalf) was quoted saying ‘we’re a team that, when we win, we get confidence’.

“I think being robust and resilient can make you confident, creating opportunities in games, and not being soft and porous in defence. That takes away your confidence.”

Ulster know going into this weekend that they will be travelling to Edinburgh next weekend for their Pro14 semi-final.

Quinlan sees this weekend’s match-up with Leinster as an opportunity to gain momentum before making the trip over the Irish sea.

“Even though [Ulster head coach Dan MacFarland] will make a load of changes, Ulster [must] get a little bit of momentum out of this game,” Quinlan said.

“It is a game that Ulster probably won’t win, but they need to get some level of bite or fight in their performance before they go to Edinburgh next week.

“It is a no-win situation here, but I think there is a lot at stake for Ulster this weekend.”

Ian Madigan of Ulster during the Guinness PRO14 Round 14 match between Connacht and Ulster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

But Quinlan also sees a big opportunity for flyhalf Ian Madigan to force his way into Ulster’s starting line-up this weekend.

“I am sure there is no way Ian Madigan signed for Ulster to sit on the bench, he sees an opportunity he sees a chance to take on Billy Burns for that 10 slot,” Quinlan said.

“Burns has been very good for Ulster, I think he has been superb, he’s improved immeasurably over the last season.

“Madigan would have seen a little bit of growth there, [but Ulster] still need to be far more ruthless and he needs a performance, I think.”

Quinlan thought that Bundee Aki’s try against Ulster last week, where he ran over Madigan to score under the posts, was an example of the lack of spark in the Ulster squad.

“Most flyhalves would struggle to stop Bundee Aki one-on-one like that, he needs more help and support from his flanker and the centre,” Quinlan said.

“It was that lack of intent and spark for Ulster that just summed up their performance.

“There’s a lot at stake for Ian Madigan. He’s a superb footballer, he’s got to get a platform from the Ulster forwards and try and play a little bit, but it is not easy.

However, Quinlan did acknowledge that Ulster are missing several big names through injury, particularly Ian Henderson, Will Addison and Luke Marshall.

Garry Ringrose of Leinster during the Guinness PRO14 Round 14 match between Leinster and Munster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The ex-Munster player expects this weekend to see a lot of changes on both sides, which won’t make things any easier for Ulster.

“They’ll be playing against a Leinster side that even though there’ll be a lot of changes there there’s still a lot of quality there,” Quinlan said.

“You’re going to see guys playing with a lot of hunger for them to push and put pressure on the top side of Leinster and guys playing for contracts and their futures.”

But Quinlan still thinks that Ulster have a chance at building momentum and confidence against a potentially “second string” Leinster side.

“Even if Ulster don’t win this game they can take a lot out of it by creating chances, by being really strong defensively, and by standing up to Leinster physically,” Quinlan said.

“It doesn’t make it any easier for Ulster, but they’ve got to show a hunger with their younger players.”

The match will kick off at 7:35pm in an empty Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

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