Adam Jones: 'Leinster are a special team - but we won't fear them'

ADAM Jones insists the Ospreys won't travel to Dublin fearing a side who have been hailed as Europe's greatest ever.

Leinster have been showered with plaudits following their stunning Heineken Cup victory over Ulster at Twickenham last weekend — the third time they have lifted club rugby's Holy Grail in four seasons.

But while Jones acknowledges the remarkable achievements of Brian O'Driscoll and Co, the experienced Wales and Lions tight-head believes the Ospreys won't be overawed by the challenge that awaits in the RaboDirect Pro12 Grand Final tomorrow (4pm).

"They are a very good side, any team that has won three Heineken Cups in the last four years is special," he said.

"I watch these American football documentaries about teams who go on to become dynasties and there is a similarity in that Leinster have done that with the same group of players. It is a fantastic achievement.

"But what is important is that we don't worry about them — if you start out with that mindset you are going to be in trouble.

"Matches with Leinster, like Ireland v Wales games, have tended to be tight affairs.

"We are under no illusions; we are massive underdogs, but we are playing well ourselves and feel we can improve on that display against Munster in the semi-finals a couple of weeks ago."

Looking forward to what promises to be a mouthwatering finale to the domestic season, Jones added: "It should be a great game.

"We are fresh, we have had an extra week to prepare, but they are European champions and they will take confidence from that and the fact they're playing at home.

"We know that it is going to be a physical challenge. We base a lot of our game on our set-piece but the way our backs are playing — their sleight of hand, the passing, the handling — is not something I have seen for quite a few years.

"There are a lot of the boys in the backline who are confident at the moment and going out and playing against players like O'Driscoll, D'Arcy and Sexton won't hold any fear for them. They'll respect them but they won't fear them.

"The big thing for me is to not wonder afterwards how we might have won it.

"We have to go out there and play to our potential and not get hung up about the fact that it is a final."

Leinster's Sean O'Brien, man of the match on last week's Heineken Cup final, misses out with a knee problem, with Shane Jennings named in his place.

All Black World Cup winner Brad Thorn is on the bench alongside highly-rated prop Cian Healy, who must first pass a fitness test on a dead leg.

The Ospreys have named Rhys Webb at scrum-half, with Kahn Fotuali'i on the bench.

Leinster: R. Kearney; F. McFadden, B. O'Driscoll, G. D'Arcy, I. Nacewa; J. Sexton, E. Reddan; H. van der Merwe, S. Cronin, M. Ross, L. Cullen (capt), D. Toner, K. McLaughlin, J. Heaslip, S. Jennings. Reps: R. Strauss, C. Healy or J. McGrath, N. White, B. Thorn, D. Ryan, J. Cooney, I. Madigan, D. Kearney.

Ospreys: R. Fussell; H. Dirksen, A. Bishop, A. Beck, S. Williams; D. Biggar, R. Webb; P. James, R. Hibbard, A. Jones, A. W. Jones (capt), I. Evans, R. Jones, J. Bearman, J. Tipuric. Reps: S. Baldwin, R. Bevington, A. Jarvis, J. King, T. Smith, K. Fotuali'i, M. Morgan, T. Isaacs.