Other players breathing a little easier this evening are Victor Costello, who has held off Des Dillon at No. 8; Leo Cullen ahead of Ben Gissing; Aidan McCullen ahead of Eric Miller and Shane Horgan, as Gary Brown gets dropped for the first time this season. Felipe Contepomi also loses out as Gordon D'Arcy is selected at first centre.

Leinster: 15: Girvan Dempsey 14: Shane Horgan 13: Brian O'Driscoll 12: Gordon D'Arcy 11: Denis Hickie 10: David Holwell 9: Brian O'Meara 1: Reggie Corrigan (Captain) 2: Shane Byrne 3: Emmett Byrne 4: Malcolm O'Kelly 5: Leo Cullen 6: Aidan McCullen 7: Shane Jennings 8: Victor Costello Replacements: 16: Ricky Nebbett 17: Gavin Hickie 18: Ben Gissing 19: Eric Miller / Des Dillon 20: Guy Easterby 21: Felipe Contepomi 22: Gary Brown Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)