DAVID CAMPESE, who has won 91 caps for Australia and is the most prolific try scorer in the history of the international game with 63 tries, will lead New South Wales against Leinster under the floodlights at Lansdowne Road tonight (7.15).

Lansdowne Road has been a happy hunting ground for Campese. A few of his more memorable tries have been scored at the venue, including tries against Ireland and New Zealand in the 1991 World Cup. In fact, in five appearances at the ground, he has failed to score only once against Ireland in 1984.

"It has been a good venue for me and I have always enjoyed playing there and in Ireland generally," said Campese yesterday, after the New South Wales team was announced. "I have played against Ireland three times in Lansdowne Road, against Leinster for the Wallabies, and against New Zealand. I hope I can keep up the scoring sequence against Leinster this time," he added.

Campese leads a side that includes four other internationals. They are full back Tim Kelalier, out half Tim Wallace, who is a very proficient goal kicker, and back row players Willie Ofahengaue and Fili Finau. Scrum half Anthony Ekert, although uncapped at Test level, was a member of the Australian side that toured Ireland in 1992.

"This tour is a vital part of our preparation for the forthcoming Super 12 series," said coach Chris Hawkins, who has taken over from Greg Smith, recently appointed coach to the Australian national side. "We open that series against Transvaal in Sydney and one could hardly have a more difficult task than that as they have 17 Test players in their panel. Our squad is a blend of youth and experience and we see the tour now as giving invaluable experience to some of the younger players in the squad.

"We are aware of the strength of the Leinster side and while we obviously want to win the match, in many respects the quality of the performance is even more important. There will not be a discernible change in our approach to the way we play the gamer now that Greg Smith is manager coach" he said.

Hawkins is familiar with the Irish scene, as he coached the Australian schools side that toured here in 1991. This is his third visit to Ireland. He has been coach to the Gordon club in Sydney, the current Australian club champions.

"We have not played really well as yet on the tour," said Campese, who captains the side in the absence of Tim Gavin who is carrying a slight injury. "Until the tour, most of us had not played for four months," said Campese. "We have beaten Bristol and Newport and lost on Wednesday night in injury time to England A. But we have not played as well as we can yet on tour. But that is understandable after the long lay off. There are some very talented youngsters in our side and some experience as well. This tour should help them for the Super 12 competition.

While New South Wales never won the old Super to series, they defeated arch rivals Queensland, the last Super 10 winners, twice last season. That is a tribute to their strength they could match most national sides and defeat many.

This is the first visit of New South Wales to Ireland since 1927. That team, known as "The Waraths", was in effect the Australian national side. There was a great debate as to whether full caps should be given for those matches by the home unions. They were retrospectively granted the status of official internationals.

This is the first meeting of Leinster and New South Wales and it represents a severe test for Leinster. It is the 12th match this season for the province their record is played 11 and won 19. Their only loss was incurred against Cardiff, in the semi final of the European Cup.

It is a match of immense importance for several in the Leinster side. None more so than scrum half Niall Hogan, chosen at the request of the national selectors and number eight Victor Costello. Good performances from them could prompt selection for the Ireland side against France in a fortnight's time. The stakes are high for others, too. Left wing Niall Woods his another candidate for Paris, while Neil Francis, who performed indifferently against Scotland, has a question mark hanging over his place. The Leinster front row of Henry Hurley, Shane Byrne and Paul Wallace are also contenders for the international team.

A win for Leinster would be a major achievement against a provincial side that beat Ireland comprehensively in 1994. It should provide a most entertaining contest and an enlightening evening for the five Ireland selectors.