The finale to a dramatic RaboDirect Pro12 season takes place at the RDS in Dublin as Leinster host Glasgow Warriors in the 2014 final, live on BBC Two Scotland, BBC Alba and BBC Two Wales.
The clash will see reigning champions Leinster – who finished top of the standings during the regular season – host Glasgow Warriors who were second in the campaign and are making their inaugural appearance in a PRO12 final.
Leinster are bidding to become the first side ever to retain their Pro12 crown, as they participate in a fifth straight Final.
They will hope that a home advantage will benefit, but they will be wary of their opponents, Glasgow Warriors, who have stormed through to the final after a run of late season wins.
The Irishmen’s only defeat in the Pro12 since round ten this season was at Ospreys back in April and they have lost just once in any competition at the RDS since the 2012 Pro12 final, to Ulster in March 2013.
Led by their iconic talisman Brian O’Driscoll, the Leinstermen have taken the title on three previous occasions, in 2002, 2008 and last season.
The 2014 final brings down the curtain on the former Ireland captain’s remarkable career and he will be hoping for a winning send-off in front of his home crowd.
Only one Scottish side has ever been victorious at the RDS, Glasgow Warriors themselves in September 2011 when they won 23-19.
Glasgow Warriors achieved their best ever league finish this season and have reached their first Final after three defeats in the previous four years at the Play-Off stage.
The Scotsmen have won their last nine Pro12 encounters since their 25-28 reversal to Leinster at the RDS in March.
The Warriors have won only one of their last nine clashes against Leinster in all tournaments – a 12-6 win at Scotstoun in the Pro12 earlier this season – whilst the Glasgow side has won just once in 19 previous trips to Dublin to face Leinster.
Three BBC channels will be covering the 2014 RaboDirect Pro12 final live from the RDS Arena in Dublin – BBC Alba, BBC Two Scotland and BBC Two Wales.
Scottish Rugby’s director of communications Dominic McKay said: “BBC ALBA have screened the majority of Glasgow’s games this season on their way to the final and are big supporters of Scottish rugby.
“It’s fantastic that even more people will get to watch the final on Saturday evening and we’d like to thank BBC Alba and BBC Scotland for showing the game live.
“Everyone at Scottish Rugby would like to wish the Warriors all the very best in the final.”
BBC Two Scotland and BBC Alba will share live coverage of the showpiece final at the RDS in Dublin starting at 6.00pm, with the match kicking off at 6.15pm.
Coverage will be presented by Calum Macaulay, with commentary from Hugh Dan MacLennan and analysis from former Scotland international and British Lion John Beattie.
BBC Two Scotland is available across the UK via channel 970 on Freesat and Sky, while BBC Alba is also available nationwide on Sky channel 143, Virgin 161 and Freesat 110.
Alan Esslemont, head of content at BBC Alba, said: “We are delighted to be bringing viewers a fantastic live package from Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 final as Glasgow travel to Dublin to take on Leinster.
“BBC Alba’s coverage this season has been very well received and we are looking forward to Saturday’s game with much anticipation for Glasgow.
“It will be the exact same programme output from BBC Alba that will be screened live on BBC Two Scotland, allowing a greater fan base to enjoy our production and the live action as it happens.”
BBC Two Wales will screen the final live for Welsh audiences in a Scrum V special, presented by Ross Harries, Stuart Davies and Kate Morgan, with match commentary from Gareth Charles and Jonathan Davies.
Northern Irish viewers can watch the final via watching Ireland’s RTE Two or TG4’s live coverage.
BBC Red Buttonwill not be broadcasting the 2014 Pro12 final live, however a full replay of BBC Wales’ coverage will be shown on Sunday lunchtime for fans across the UK, starting at 1.50pm.
Live streaming of the BBC’s coverage will available to watch online via the BBC Sport website and on the app via Connected TVs, mobiles and tablet devices.
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Saturday 31st May
RaboDirect Pro12 Final: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors
RDS Arena, Dublin | Kick-off: 18:15
LIVE: 6.00pm-8.30pm BBC Two Scotland / BBC Alba / BBC Two Wales
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