Eric Miller is the latest Leinster casualty, albeit with a minor injury that forced his withdrawal from tomorrow's Celtic League match. A bruised shoulder means he won't be risked with Heineken European Cup fare beginning next weekend. Des Dillon is promoted to blindside flanker with Niall Breslin added to the bench.
Leinster's visit to the Gnoll heralds the competitive debut for the province of Argentinian outhalf Felipe Contepomi in a side that probably won't change much for tomorrow week's game against Biarritz at Lansdowne Road. Shane Horgan and Emmet Byrne are nursing minor complaints but, with Miller, should be available in eight days' time.
Leinster have won four games on the bounce and the return of their World Cup participants has added a stronger backbone to the team. Though to be fair, Shane Jennings, also nursing a minor injury, deserves great credit for how he has led the side.
The Ospreys rest their captain, former Lions centre Scott Gibbs, ostensibly to see how Dave Tieuti fares in the centre as distinct from the wing, where he has played most of his rugby. Points machine Gavin Henson - 105 in the competition to date - is at full back. Shaun Connor is at outhalf.
Behind the scrum, they welcome back Welsh World Cup hero Shane Williams and up front they have Adam Jones, one half of the "hair bear bunch", Gareth Llewellyn and excellent young flanker Jonathan Thomas.
This is no easy assignment for Leinster but with the European Cup looming, victory would offer a huge fillip. Contepomi's ability to dictate the game will depend on the quality of ball provided by his pack. It'll be tight but Leinster possess enough quality to edge it.
NEATH/SWANSEA OSPREYS: G Henson; G Morris, J Storey, D Tieuti, S Williams; S Connor, A Williams; P James, H Bennett, A Jones, A Newman, G Llewellyn, J Thomas, N Bonner-Evans, S Tandy.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; J McWeeney, B O'Driscoll, D Quinlan, G D'Arcy; F Contepomi, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne; P Coyle, B Gissing, M O'Kelly, D Dillon, V Costello, K Gleeson.
Referee: D Changeling (Scotland).
Leading points scorers: Ospreys - G Henson 105. Leinster - B O'Meara 84.
Leading try scorers: Ospreys - J Storey 3. Leinster - G D'Arcy, A Kearney 3 each.
Verdict: Leinster.
Neath Swansea Ospreys v Leinster
The Gnoll, Saturday, 5.30
