Nick Timoney ready for crucial encounter with Leinster

Win and Ulster will push the race to top Conference A into the last two games of the season, defeat and Leinster will march into the final looking for a fourth title in a row.

So the flanker knows it’s all or nothing for Ulster.

“For us it is almost like a knock out game, it is like a semi-final that isn’t taking place this year, if we lose we are probably not making the final,” said Timoney.

“In their minds they probably need to know they have to win as well, so I think both teams will be going into it as fully loaded as they can during the international period and it is going to be a huge game.

“Leinster’s form is pretty impressive. The consistency they have shown over that period of time, the last three seasons or even more, even when they have lost players to international duty. It is impressive how they can have two completely different 23s and manage to play in the same way and to a similar standard.

“It is obvious they are very impressive and it is going to be a huge task for us and I think we are going to have to step up from how we have played in the last couple of weeks.

“We are capable of doing it but we know it is a huge challenge because of the way they play and how well they play.”

Leinster have lost one Pro14 game in two season but Timoney believes if Ulster perform to their maximum potential they can topple Leo Cullen’s side.

He said: “I think you have to stick to what your team is good at and you can’t focus too much on them, obviously they have threats and the way they play you have to try and focus of stopping that to some degree.

“I think you have to back your own individuals, your own team, your own collective, sort of the way Connacht did at Christmas, they just played their game and it happened for them.

“I think there is a factor with Leinster that a lot of teams fear them because of their track record, but if you let that get to you it plays into their hands so I just think do what you normally do, your own game plan, play the way you want to play and impose that on them.

Timoney feels the battle of the backrow will be paramount.

“They are nine or 10 deep with quality players, I know they have lost Dan Leavy, which is a big blow for them and sad to see for him personally, but there are lads who will be just outside the Ireland 23 that are still Leinster players and even if none of their international players play they still have quality back rows right down to their 19 and 20-year-olds," said Timoney

“No matter what team they put out it is vastly similar we know the challenge is coming but I think we have a strong backrow too and certainly if we want to win that is one of the areas that we have to put a good shift.”

Timoney has started five of Ulster’s last six games, but he is still taking it one at a time

“It’s good to get a run of games after not playing at all, it is just nice to be back in the team and I’m taking it week by week doing what I can based on whatever ever game it is,” he said

“I’m happy with my personal form but I think there are lots of things that I can still do better as with all of us from the Ospreys game and Glasgow as well, lots to work on but it is good to get the chance to do it on the pitch.”

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