The arrival of Angus McKeen to the front row along with starting places for both second row Hubie Kos and flanker Stephen Rooney offers the chance to a number of players to further impress coach Mike Ruddock in Leinster's last game of Pool A in this year's European Cup.

Both Kos and Rooney have remained because of their performance against Milan and McKeen is back from injury.

Looking for a more potent blend in the pack, Ruddock could not have chosen a more difficult venue than Toulouse. Quoted now at the top price of 4-1 to win the competition outright after their thrilling 23-22 win over Leicester last week at Welford Road, their place, no disrespect to Leinster, seems secure for direct entry into the quarter-finals.

Leinster's priority today, according to Ruddock is "to prove an ability to get a good result away from home," something that has eluded the team thus far.

While Ruddock, after Leinster's win over Leicester at Donnybrook, is pedalling good vibes and using the match to illustrate that sometimes anything can happen, the home side are one of the most experienced bunches in the competition and are unlikely to stumble on home turf.

Five games, four victories, one defeat, a points difference of plus 60 and an average of 32 points per game has been bettered only by Wasps, Bath and Harlequins, but indications are that Toulouse are hitting form.

Ruddock's mantra of 'learning curves' and 'building up' merits consideration and in players such as John McWeeney, Reggie Corrigan and Blackrock captain Hubie Kos, the experience will prove invaluable. Kos is playing in only his second provincial game.

"I came here a few years ago with Swansea. When the players come on the field, there will be a lot of noise, a band playing, people shouting, flares going off. It will be very intimidating.

"Toulouse also have a lot of flair and good pace and the majority of the team have been together for a number of years. But, still, I thought that if we'd had a little more experience when we met them at home, we might have beaten them. They are very ruthless, quite clinical."

Sure, Leinster have try scorers in Kevin Nowlan, Denis Hickie, John McWeeney and Martin Ridge, but the regular quick ball has all but alluded them and if the coach could get any one thing just right, then Ruddock would dearly wish for quicker ball.

The set pieces have been fine. Alan McGowans kicking has been more often than not assured and lineout possession has not been a problem. Last week too, Victor Costello showed that bursting from the base of the scrum after a Leinster put in can be devastating near the opposition's line.

A more controlled Trevor Brennan will be welcome back after a match out due to a knee injury and no doubt Toulouse will think they've been cursed when his hits start arriving, and McKeen too will settle things when he knuckles down to his specialist area at tight head.

There is little to indicate that Toulouse will be anything but confident and at a muggy 24 degrees it is even too warm for Irish players to be wholly comfortable. But confidence as they say, is sometimes the feeling you have before you know better. If Leinster could act out that aphorism...well, what a finish to this campaign.