Leinster boast a similar amount of riches so it is little surprise that flanker No.8 Jones, who will partner Marty Holah and fit-again Jerry Collins in the back row, is expecting all-out action in the game’s opening phases.

He said: “The first 20 minutes of any rugby match, let alone a cup final, is really ferocious.

“It’s who equips themselves quickest and who settles down first.

“It’s going to come down to territory and possession. It’s who can weather that first 20 minutes and come out on top with the composure, hopefully some points and kick on from there.

“They know us, we know them, we play each other at this level, at Heineken Cup level, at international level, so there will be very few surprises.

“It’s as close to Test rugby as you can get.

“We have to fancy our chances against anyone. We’ve got great players who have won things and we need to back ourselves. It’s going to be a one-off game and winner takes all.”

While the team’s respective pools of talent may be on an even par, it is certainly Leinster who hold the advantage psychologically.

Not only do they boast an unbeaten home record in the Magners going back to September 2008 but they have won their last six encounters against the Ospreys.

Ireland winger Tommy Bowe will be facing many of his international colleagues when he lines up in Ospreys colours having snubbed a chance to join Leinster.

And the 26-year-old, who scooped the 2010 RBS 6 Nations player of the tournament award, maintains the Welsh region can reverse the fear factor.

He said: “Leinster are going to be gunning for us and they will be feeling very confident. But of all the teams that they will be wary of it is the Ospreys.

“They know, if we click, there are very few teams who can live with us.

“We have made a massive step forward from last season and I believe we are going places.”