Leinster v Edinburgh Donnybrook, Sunday, 3.0Leinster's team tomorrow shows how much things have changed in the province. Four of the pack were plying their trade elsewhere last season, while Brian Blaney had yet to make the step up. It's not all bad though as several players get a chance to shine in preferred positions.
Robert Kearney gets his first run out at fullback. He is joined in a lightning-fast back three by Gary Brown and Brendan Burke, while rugby league convert Johnny Hepworth is named at inside centre.
In the absence of Felipe Contepomi and Christian Warner, Michel Cheika has opted for Brian O'Meara at outhalf in favour of reserve number 10s Eoghan Hickey and Dave McAllister.
Because of international preparations, Edinburgh must do without Chris Patterson, Simon Taylor, Scott Murray and Marcus Di Rollo, forcing interim coach Todd Blackadder to select five debutants including Canada winger Michael Pyke.
Leinster have lost five out of six, generally high-scoring fixtures against the Scots. Victory this time would see them leapfrog Edinburgh into third place in the table.
LEINSTER: R Kearney; G Brown, K Lewis, J Hepworth, B Burke; B O'Meara, B O'Riordan; R Corrigan, B Blaney, W Green; B Gissing, B Williams; C Jowitt, K Gleeson, S Crawfordp. Replacements: R McCormack, J Wickham, D Dillon, N Ronan/J Heaslip, G Easterby/M D'Arcy, E Hickey, S Grissing
EDINBURGH: H Southwell; M Pyke, P Jorgensen, M Dey, S Webster; P Godman, J Blackwood; A Jacobsen, A Kelly, C Smith; A Kellock, F Pringle; M Mustchin, S Cross, D Callam. Replacements: S Lawrie, D Hewett, A Strokosch, R Rennie, A Monro, D Hodge, N De Luca.
Referee: N Ballard (WRU).
Previous meetings: October 2000 (EC) at Myreside: Edinburgh Gunners 29, Leinster 21; January 2001 (EC) at Donnybrook: Leinster 34, Edinburgh Gunners 34; September 2003 (CL) at Donnybrook: Leinster 30, Edinburgh Gunners 33; February 2004 (CL) at Murrayfield: Edinburgh Gunners 40, Leinster 34; October 2004 (CL) at Donnybrook: Leinster 35, Edinburgh Gunners 13; February 2005 (CL) at Murrayfield: Edinburgh Gunners 41, Leinster 33.
Leading points scorers: Leinster: Felipe Contepomi 97. Edinburgh: Chris Patterson 78.
Leading try scorers: Leinster: Robert Kearney - three. Edinburgh: Rob Dewey - four.
Verdict: Home win.
