RUGBY: THE VALUE of victory here will become apparent when Leinster host a semi-final in the middle of May. With that firmly in mind, coach Joe Schmidt travels to Italy with nearly all his key players in the 23-man squad.

They must, however, make do without Isa Nacewa, Jamie Heaslip and Gordon D’Arcy.

Brian O’Driscoll captains the side in his usual number 13 jersey but the presence of Eoin O’Malley, also a natural outside centre, suggests a slight alternating of positions, especially in attack.

Considering the importance of victory, at a venue where Connacht were recently beaten and Glasgow – Leinster’s last regular season fixture – escaped with a 17-16 victory on April 2nd, there are some risky selections.

The most interesting is Dave Kearney at fullback as Nacewa, one of three nominees for Irish Rugby Union Players Association player of the season, is finally rested having featured in all Leinster’s matches this season.

Kearney was a fine fullback at Clongowes Wood College but the presence of older brother Rob and Nacewa further up the pecking order meant he understandably turned himself into a winger. His selection though shows any thoughts of Luke Fitzgerald reverting to fullback have been clearly discarded.

Ian Madigan’s attacking skills are holding off Ian McKinley in their duel to be seen as Jonny Sexton’s understudy and with Matt Berquist due to arrive this summer from Canterbury a big performance here seems essential.

Sexton is available from the bench along with hooker Richardt Strauss should Jason Harris-Wright struggle to make an impact in what is a rare and vital opportunity for the 22-year-old considering Seán Cronin is on his way over from Connacht.

Should they be required, Leo Cullen and Shane Horgan are also on hand to steady the ship. Heaslip does not travel but there is an argument to launch O’Brien, another Irupa nominee, off the base of the scrum with more regularity anyway.

The Leinster second string have already proven their value on several occasions this season and they seem primed to do so again today – though with a little help from O’Driscoll and the other older statesmen.

AIRONI: H San Martin; K Robertson, G Pavan, G Pizarro, D Demas; J Marshall, T Tebaldi; A De Marchi, F Ongaro, F Staibano; J Furno, M Bortolami (capt); J Sole, G Krause, N Williams. Replacements: L Ferraro, S Perugini, L Redolfini, Q Geldenhuys, N Cattina, P Canavosio, M Pratichetti, R Bocchino.

LEINSTER: D Kearney; F McFadden, B O’Driscoll, E O’Malley, L Fitzgerald; I Madigan, E Reddan; C Healy, J Harris-Wright, M Ross; D Toner, N Hines; R Ruddock, S Jennings, S O’Brien. Replacements: R Strauss, H van der Merwe, S Wright, L Cullen, D Ryan, I Boss, J Sexton, S Horgan.

Referee: A McMenemy (SRU).

Verdict: Leinster to win.