Celtic League:It might have been the first press briefing of his third season at the helm but Michael Cheika had, as ever, his media-relations hat tightly screwed on.
The impression conveyed is that Cheika has finally moulded the squad - numbers and personnel - to his satisfaction as Leinster enter the defining season of his tenure.
When examining the health of Leinster rugby three conundrums immediately leap off the page:
Who will step up and fill the void left by Denis Hickie's imminent retirement?
How do four quality backrowers fit into three slots?
Considering the influx of essentially six front-five players, does the coach know his best starting XV?
"I really don't want to know. I really like the idea of having everyone hunting so you must perform every week - now there is a case that this creates instability but we've spoken as a squad about this and I've picked this squad because I want everyone here. What they've got to do now is prove they've got to be in the team."
There were 38 bodies in camp when the Australian arrived in 2005. Twelve remain. Four were recruited to bolster the troubled front-five area - Juan Gomez, Stephen Knoop, Leo Cullen and Ollie Le Roux (although because of Currie Cup commitments the former Springbok doesn't arrive until next month) - while Cian Healy and Devon Toner's elevation to the senior panel are akin to new signings.
Of the forwards only Malcolm O'Kelly is on World Cup duty (well, he is in France) so tomorrow's team selection to play a crisis-riddled Edinburgh at the refurbished RDS on Saturday evening will reveal more about the current pecking order.
The back-row decision might be avoided this weekend as Shane Jennings has yet to fully recover from a thumb operation.
Regardless, Cheika confirmed the option of using the returning Leicester Tiger in a back row alongside Keith Gleeson as a possibility.
"Definitely, but it depends on the match. They both have the ability to disguise their game a little bit. Gleese especially is getting wiser in his years. He is a very good ball player, too, so I have no qualms to play them together.
"It gives us a bit more maturity, and game management (coachspeak for a rotational policy) is also something we will be concentrating on this year."
When queried about activities in France, Cheika predicted a big Irish performance on Friday night and also cited the performance of Australia's teenage outhalf Berrick Barnes in Cardiff last Saturday in relation to Jonathan Sexton taking advantage at Leinster while others are away.
"We've seen (Felipe) Contepomi playing well at 12 for Argentina. Sexton will be looking at that saying, well, here's a chance for me to show the coach I can put that combination together and give options to the team."
A straight race for Hickie's number 11 jersey begins on Saturday with Gary Brown, Luke Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney all to be given a chance to stake a claim.
"Gary brings a bit more maturity now. He is a bit more senior and that can help you when the race is on for a position. I know the boys rate all three of them very highly so it's going to be a good go for positions and that's what we want."
Elsewhere, Ulster coach Mark McCall released an intriguing line-up for Friday's game against the Ospreys at Ravenhill, particularly Tommy Bowe at outside centre alongside Séamus Mallon.
Scottish international Simon Danielli and Mark McCrea are on the wings, David Humphreys begins his 10th season as starting outhalf, while Kieron Dawson is preferred to Irish under-20 captain David Pollack at openside. Roger Wilson captains the side from number eight and the fit-again Justin Harrison is named on the bench.
In Munster, Rua Tipoki and Kieran Lewis are expected to form a new-look midfield combination when they make their competitive debuts against the Llanelli Scarlets at Musgrave Park on Saturday.
Despite taking up a management role with Ulster rugby this season, 35-year-old Shaun Payne has also been included in an enlarged squad for the weekend but John Kelly (knee/ankle) and John O'Sullivan (long term, cruciate) are the only two not considered for selection.
Apart from the absent Gavin Duffy on World Cup duty, Connacht coach Michael Bradley will select from a full squad tomorrow.
Ulster v Ospreys
ULSTER:M Bartholomeusz / B Cunningham; S Danielli, T Bowe, S Mallon, M McCrea; D Humphreys, K Campbell; J Fitzpatrick, N Brady, T Court; T Barker, R Caldwell; M McCullough, K Dawson, R Wilson (capt).
Replacements:M Miles, D Fitzpatrick, J Harrison, D Pollack, P Marshall, N O'Connor, M Bartholomeusz/B Cunningham.
