Preview: Pro12 Final
Leinster are bidding to become just the fifth side, and the first since London Wasps in 2004, to become European and domestic champions in the same season.
The Leinstermen have won the Pro12 tournament twice before: in 2001/02 and 2007/08, and have now reached a third straight Final, but lost out to Sunday's opponents, Ospreys, in 2009/10, and Munster last season.
Ospreys are chasing a record fourth Pro12 crown, having won the tournament in 2004/05, 2006/07 and 2009/10.
Leinster prop Cian Healy insists thoughts of making history are far from his and his teammates' minds as they prepare for the Pro12 Final against the Ospreys.
A home win in Dublin would make Leinster the first Irish side to win the Heineken Cup and their domestic league in the same season.
That record would add to one secured last weekend when they won a third Heineken Cup in four years against Ulster – a feat not even French giants Toulouse have managed.
Although stand-out performers in the regular season in the Pro12, Leinster have lost twice to the Ospreys this season.
The first was back in September in Swansea, 27-3, and the second was a thriller in March as a late Richard Hibbard try gave the visiting Ospreys a famous 23-22 win.
And Healy insists he's banishing any thoughts of legacy whilst he prepares for the season's climax on Sunday.
"It's something that we strive for to make a legacy of what your team is but it's not something you stop and think about," said Healy.
"It's always something you want to continue and get better and better but you never have that if you can stop, and not go through this week or chase that win and get to finals.
"It's nothing that they're [Ospreys are] not capable of either [beating us].
"We're clued into that and having everything in the right place and right set-up to win it."
While the scoreline suggests it was close to a complete performance, Ospreys coach Steve Tandy also warned his side they will have to improve from their semifinal performance for Sunday's Pro12 Final.
The Ospreys stunned defending champions Munster two weeks ago, running in four tries in a 45-10 thrashing at the Liberty Stadium.
But Tandy believes a step up in quality awaits them when they cross the Irish Sea to Dublin after witnessing Leinster's own demolition job of Ulster in the Heineken Cup final last week.
While they conceded just one try against Munster, Tandy believes Leinster's backline will be far more ruthless in exploiting mistakes.
He said: "They're a team that are in form and have won a lot of games. They've got exciting backs as Munster did, but I didn't feel that we let Munster play.
"We did give the ball up too easily on our exits and we did put ourselves under some unnecessary pressure against them, which I think that we would be punished for against Leinster. We'll definitely be looking to take care of the ball a lot better.
"We've had two weeks to prepare and the boys are in good shape. That is the standard that we set ourselves and we all know that we need to be at that standard or even greater to get the result that we need on Sunday.
"The boys are really focused and they've trained well – we've got two sessions left before the game and this group works so hard and is always trying to better itself.
"There is a realisation that to go and win in Leinster you have to be at the top of your game to be in the contest."
Leinster's only defeat in any competition since September was 22-23 to Ospreys at the RDS in the Pro12 on March 23.
Ospreys have lost just once to an Irish province this season: 14-15 to Ulster at Ravenhill on 24 February.
Leinster have won only one of their last five encounters with Ospreys: 15-10 at the RDS on 7 January 2011.
Recent Pro12 results:
2010: Leinster won 20-16, RDS
2010: Ospreys won 17-12, RDS
2010: Ospreys won 19-15, Liberty Stadium
2011: Leinster won 15-10, RDS
2011: Ospreys won 27-3, Liberty Stadium
2012: Ospreys won 23-22, RDS
Prediction: Ospreys can turn on the charm, there is no doubt about that. But a Final is a different ball-game and you have to back a more structured and street-wise Leinster to make history – to win by less than 10 points.
Teams:
Leinster: TBC
Ospreys: TBC
Date: Sunday, May 27
Venue: RDS, Dublin
Kick-off: 16.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite
Assistant referees: George Clancy, Neil Paterson
TMO: Giulio de Santis
