Leinster remain hopeful that new out-half Felipe Contepomi will play in this weekend's Heineken Cup curtain-raiser against Biarritz despite the administrative error that appeared to rule him out of all six pool matches.
Leinster made an official submission to European Rugby Cup on the issue yesterday and are awaiting a response regarding the Argentinean international's availability at Lansdowne Road.
While coach Gary Ella named a provisional starting XV this afternoon, with Christian Warner handed the number 10 shirt, Leinster have until 3 p.m. on Thursday to formally submit their team and are confident Contepomi will be given the green light to start.
It is believed a loophole in the ERC rules, or more specifically in the way which the rules were applied, will leave the ERC with no option but to overturn their initial decision, with Leinster confident they have presented a strong case.
Leinster's oversight came to light last week when it emerged forms clearing the player to take part in the tournament had not been submitted correctly and that Contepomi could miss all of the groups matches.
However, in ruling out the player, and not granting Leinster and Contepomi a hearing before making their decision, it appears the ERC contravened their own rules. It has also been suggested the punishment Leinster should have received was a points deduction or a fine, not the exclusion of the player.
If Contepomi is cleared to play he will line out in the strongest Leinster side of the season to date. Eric Miller returns from the injury that kept him out of last weekend's win over Neath-Swansea and is named in the back-row alongside Victor Costello and Keith Gleeson.
Brian O'Driscoll, in sparkling form against the Opsreys, partners Shane Horgan in the Leinster midfield, with John McWeeney and Gordon D'Arcy operating on the wings.
Leinster(v Biarritz Olympique): G Dempsey; J McWeeney, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; C Warner, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, P Coyle; M O'Keely, B Gissing; E Miller, K Gleeson, V Costello.
Replacements: E Byrne, G Hickie, D Dillon, S Jennings, B O'Riordan, D Quinlan, B Burke.