RUGBY/European Cup/Leinster v Edinburgh: In recent seasons the focus in analysing Leinster's prospects in the Heineken European Cup would have been the pack: how they would fare and whether they could provide the platform for a talented backline.
The present campaign has switched that focus to the extent it is the Leinster eight that are garnering the plaudits. It was their collective excellence that underpinned the victory over Leicester Tigers, and even in defeat to Toulouse, they functioned competently.
Last weekend, albeit in a different tournament, they won the primary collisions that enabled a successful raid at Musgrave Park.
The arrival of Ollie le Roux to bolster the scrum and carry ball and the repatriation of Leo Cullen and Shane Jennings have brought maturity and footballing nous.
The pack has developed as a consequence, all the constituents meshing to produce an effective unit. Cullen's organisational skills and quiet authority can be seen out of touch. Bernard Jackman's accuracy is no longer an issue, the hooker flourishing in every facet of the game in what has been an outstanding individual contribution to date.
Malcolm O'Kelly has rediscovered his languid athleticism and is once again a totem.
Keith Gleeson returns, Jennings dropping to the bench: in truth any combination of the four backrows has been effective this season.
The prop Stan Wright is, finally, getting some credit outside Leinster. As coach Michael Cheika pointed out, "He's very durable and hungry to improve. He got a bit stung by all the criticism he got when he first came. No one likes that. He's worked hard and wants to become a better footballer . . . We want to help him become the best footballer he can be because he's given us good service so far."
It is a merited tribute. The Cook Islander is a tireless worker and, while not a punishing scrummager, brings many other qualities.
Occasionally he can be a little zealous to get hands on the ball but that's where scrumhalf Cillian Willis needs to assert authority.
Brian O'Driscoll's recovery from an ankle injury is a fillip, and the home supporters will hope he is operating at full throttle.
The Leinster backs produced one sumptuous move against Leicester that led to Shane Horgan's try but against Toulouse their gambits sometimes lacked clarity.
Rob Kearney continues at fullback in the continued absence of Girvan Dempsey, while Luke Fitzgerald, showing more and more his instinctive flair, is again on the left wing.
Tonight should be less about individual cameos than about collective fluidity and precision from the backs.
Edinburgh have improved under the stewardship of their former England coach Andy Robinson. There is an integrity and honesty in their play, and as their superior record in the head-to-head clashes in this competition shows, they have proved difficult opponents for Leinster, last season's 49-10 thumping at the RDS notwithstanding. There's plenty of pace behind the scrum and their number nine and captain, Mike Blair, has already been singled out for praise by Cheika this week.
The Scot is relishing this encounter: "Leinster are going to be really tough as they have a great record in Europe and they have had a good win against Leicester and we know they are really gunning for the knockout stages . . . but we've been building from game to game and hopefully will put in a decent challenge."
Another visiting player who has proved an awkward presence in the past is the flanker Ross Rennie and Leinster will be keen to neutralise the young openside.
Edinburgh have posted fine wins over Llanelli and Ulster on the run-in to this contest but Leinster will have studied the video of their 39-0 thumping by Leicester at Welford Road for clues to subduing the Scots.
The Tigers bullied Edinburgh up front and then ruthlessly took advantage, something Leinster will be keen to replicate.
The key for Cheika's men tonight will be accepting that 80-plus minutes of concentration and application will be required. Anything less and the visitors could make them pay a huge price.
LEINSTER: R Kearney; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll (capt), G D'Arcy, L Fitzgerald; F Contepomi, C Willis; O le Roux, B Jackman, S Wright; M O'Kelly, L Cullen; S Keogh, K Gleeson, J Heaslip. Replacements: B Blaney, S Knoop, C Jowitt, S Jennings, C Keane, J Sexton, G Brown.
EDINBURGH: B Cairns; A Turnbull, N de Luca, M Dey, J Houston; P Godman, M Blair (capt); A Jacobsen, R Ford, G Kerr; M Mustchin, B Gissing; R Reid, R Rennie, D Callam. Replacements: A Kelly, A Allori, C Hamilton, S Cross, B Meyer, D Blair, C MacRae.
Referee: R Poite (France).
Odds (courtesy of Paddy Power): Handicap - Edinburgh +17 points 10/11. Leinster 10/11. Draw 22/1. Outright - Leinster 1/20. Edinburgh 15/2. Draw 40/1
Verdict: Leinster to win.
