Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has described Leinster as a "juggernaut" and a "superpower" but promised his side will be competitive when the sides meet at the RDS this evening.
Leo Cullen's team are four points behind BKT URC table-toppers Glasgow Warriors, who are in South Africa for a double-header against the Bulls and the Lions.
They host the Ospreys off the back of a nervy Investec Champions Cup semi-final win over Northampton that followed back-to-back defeats against the Lions and the Stormers.
The visitors are also just back from South Africa where they recorded a shock win over the Stormers before losing heavily to the Bulls.
They sit four points off the play-offs in tenth coming into the final stretch of games.
While they lost the last two meetings with Leinster, the Ospreys picked up a 24-19 win in the RDS in March of 2021.
"They are the juggernaut, aren't they," said Booth of the four-time European champions.
"They've got 60-odd players of the same calibre so it doesn't matter who wears the shirt. Leinster is effectively a superpower of the URC and you know how difficult it is to match that.
"They've got a lot to play for...but we've competed there before, we'll compete there again and see where it takes us."
Leinster sent a largely second-string outfit to South Africa for their tour, preferring to keep the big guns fresh for their semi-final.
Asked if it was becoming more difficult for the likes of the Welsh regions to keep up with clubs of Leinster's stature, he added: "They've got the luxury of making those choices, others don't because of the squad size.
"By that alone it's harder because you have to put the same load through the same people.
"James Lowe's not played many URC games this season, he's played all of Europe. That's the benefit of having deep pockets and deep squads.
"There's no complaining or whinging about it, it is what it is. I suppose there is an expectation around that - the 'haves' and 'have-nots'.
"We've surprised a few people with how we've gone this year so it shows it can be done
"It's very difficult but it can be done. That's the beauty of sport.
"You saw this week in Champions League: Borussia Dortmund didn't have a chance, according to everybody, but they find themselves in the final.
"Is it hard to compete? Yes, it's hard."
"What happened on Saturday is in the past.
"[Ospreys] are a quality outfit. The challenges that they will throw to us are definitely something we can use in terms of preparation.
"It’s something we have to get right.
"They showed against the Stormers - and I’m not saying the Stormers did disrespect them – that, if in any way, you take them lightly, or that thought comes in your head, when that 'only Ospreys’ comes into your mind, that’s where you will bump your toe.
"They need respect, they are a good side, they scored some brilliant tries.
"They are tenth in the log but they are one win away from being in the top eight. In my mind they are a team that will get to the knock-outs.
"We need to get our ducks in a row when we play them."
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