Leinster coach Michael Chieka has been around long enough to know that sport always has the potential to throw up "amazing highs and some lows" and this weekend's Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Wasps will be no different.
Cheika has named a 25-named squad before travelling to Adams Park in London for this Saturday's 5.45pm kick-off. Although the name of Brian O'Driscoll is a glaring omission from the squad list, the captain's presence will still be invaluable.
"There's no chance of Brian (O'Driscoll) playing but his role as off-field captain will not go unnoticed. His experience will be invaluable," said the coach.
"Generally, we seem to be alright. Stephen Keogh has had a bit of a rib problem and didn't train on Tuesday, but he should be fine. We're only really missing Brian, Ronan (McCormack) and Cillian Willis."
While O'Driscoll remains unavailable due to his ongoing hamstring problems, Luke Fitzgerald, Reggie Corrigan and Devon Toner come into the squad that defeated Connacht last weekend while prop Will Green is in line to face his former club.
As far as tactics are concerned Cheika alluded to the fact that it's no secret Leinster like to play at pace. He was also complimentary about his opposite number.
"Shaun Edwards is a very smart football coach. He'll try to out-think us as well as out-play us, I've no doubt."
"Wasps are a very determined outfit who will try to strangle you in defence and attack with equal intensity," added Cheika. "They're very much led by (Raphael) Ibanez who is a real spearhead for them (in attack).
"They have great experience in the competition and the Heineken Cup format is one that suits them because they know how to keep the ball and keep the ball away from you.
By the same token Leinster's pace could come to the fore at the venue also used for soccer. "It's no great secret that we like to play the game with pace," noted Chieka. "Adams Park is a soccer pitch, slightly tighter than normal, but I've no doubt that this will be a very exciting match.
"I've learned that what you do last week has no bearing on what happens the following week, because we've had some amazing highs and some low times. We've been developing and striving to become more consistent and I believe that we're a competitive team.
"The challenge is to try to transfer the long-term scouting and preparation because this is a battle that we've been looking forward to for quite a while.
"This isn't a game we expect to win, because you can't expect anything in life. This is a game we want to win."
Leinster squad (v Wasps): Fosi Pala'amo, Stanley Wright, Reggie Corrigan, Will Green, Bernard Jackman, Brian Blaney, Malcolm O'Kelly, Trevor Hogan, Owen Finegan, Cameron Jowitt, Devin Toner, Keith Gleeson, Stephen Keogh, Jamie Heaslip, Chris Whitaker, Guy Easterby, Christian Warner, Felipe Contepomi, Kieran Lewis, Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney, Gordon D'Arcy, Shane Horgan, Denis Hickie, Girvan Dempsey