Leinster v Biarritz - Donnybrook 7.00
Net2: 7.30 (Delayed coverage).
Leinster have earned the right to `spit the dummy' this season. Bedevilled by injuries, coach Matt Williams acquired a sense of humour, his light hearted references to a spiralling casualty list, a safety valve for his sanity.
When the province embraced their opening Heineken European Cup match last weekend against Edinburgh Reivers at Myreside, they did so with a full strength side for the first time in seven matches this season. Williams was cautiously optimistic and felt his optimism vindicated by the performance if not the result.
Again fate was to blow a giant raspberry, Denis Hickie was denied a perfectly legitimate try - called back for an offside that wasn't - and fullback Girvan Dempsey would have cantered to the Edinburgh line unmolested if the French referee Daniel Gillet hadn't penalised Leinster for crossing in midfield.
It was a very harsh decision but as long as the International Board allows referees to individually interpret `crossing' offences without a hard and fast rule, then what's permissible one week won't be the next. Leinster lost a match they should have own by eight points. Tonight they host French Cup holders, Biarritz at Donnybrook aware that nothing less than victory will suffice.
The pressure is intense but the players betray little sign of fragile confidence levels. Captain and flanker Liam Toland recognises the importance of the match and the fact that the province arrive at the seminal point of the season on the back of three defeats. ["]People will judge us on victories. Unfortunately we haven't managed to get the victories we have earned, through small mistakes at vital times.
"We are at a level just below winning while Munster are at a level just about winning. There is a fine line we have to bridge and a few small components could make the difference. We are very close to winning." Biarritz have made six changes to the side that beat Northampton, including putting former All Black Frano Botica on the bench, this despite the fact that he kicked a flawless 17 points last weekend. Former Newcastle wing Stuart Legg comes in on the wing, Laurent Mazas, a French international outhalf. The entire front row is replaced and New Zealander Scott Keith, now a Croatian international alongside Botica, is named at number eight.
Interestingly the visitors have opted for three props in the front row, presumably in recognition of Leinster's excellent set piece play, especially as Biarritz elected to leave French international hooker Jean Michel Gonzalez on the bench. The French team boast a big, powerful pack with former great Olivier Roumat in the second row alongside fellow international Legi Matiu.
Flanker Serge Betsen grabbed two tries and the man of the match accolade. Behind the scrum quality is manifest in former All Black Glen Osborne and French wing Philippe Bernat-Salles: one senses a mix of the broadsword and the rapier.
The elevation of Bob Casey and Trevor Brennan to the starting XV suggests that Leinster are primed for some front foot tackling. Leo Cullen and Eric Miller's athletic prowess will probably be used at a later stage. Malcolm O'Kelly has been exceptional out of touch, the scrum powerfully aggressive.
Eddie Hekenui has enjoyed a week longer to settle in with his new team-mates and his partnership with Kevin Putt and the midfield pairing shouldn't show as many seams. Another flaw has been Leinster's place kicking averages which have dipped below 50 per cent.
Leinster undoubtedly possess the quality and with Brian O'Driscoll looking sharper, Girvan Dempsey too and the elusive running and raw pace of Denis Hickie they enjoy a cutting edge. Tonight is about winning: it's not about improvement, it's not about performance, it's about finishing on the right side of a competitive, pressure laden occasion.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; D Hickie, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; E Hekenui, K Putt; R Corrigan, S Byrne, E Byrne; B Casey, M O'Kelly; T Brennan, V Costello, L Toland (capt).
BIARRITZ: G Osborne; P Bernat-Salles, S Bonetti, N Couttet, S Legg; L Mazas, N Morlaes; S Puleoto, M Irazoqui, C Dabadie; L Matiu; O Roumat; S Betsen, S Keith, C Milheres.
Referee: R G Davies (Wales).
Leinster.
Results so far: lost v Edinburgh Reivers (a) 2921.
Leading points scorer: Eddie Hekenui 6 (2 pens).
Leading try scorer: G Dempsey, E Byrne, K Putt 1 each.
Biarritz.
Results so far: won v Northampton (h) 37-30.
Leading points scorer: Frano Botica 17 (4 cons, 3 pens).
Leading try scorer: S Betsen 2.
Previous meetings: None.
Odds (courtesy Paddy Powers): 4/6 Leinster, 16/1 draw, 6/5 Biarritz. Handicap (Leinster plus three points): 10/11 Leinster, 16/1 draw, 10/11 Biarritz.
Forecast: Leinster to win.
Simon Easterby has received a setback to his hopes of resuming his playing career in November. The 25-year-old Irish international flanker suffered severe achilles tendon damage in summer training but was originally scheduled to return in November. But Llanelli yesterday confirmed that Easterby has suffered a slight strain to the injury during his rehabilitation programme and will now be out of commission until the New Year. It represents a bitter blow to one of Ireland's outstanding players last season and to coach Warren Gatland.
London Irish have had two points deducted for playing an ineligible player, Richard Bates, in their European Shield Pool Six match against Aurillac last Saturday.
London Irish won the match 42-10 but have now had the two points they earned from the win deducted following a misconduct complaint.
Richard Bates remains ineligible for action in the European Shield.
