RUGBY:QUARTER-FINAL weekend in the Heineken Cup, the best competition in Europe: no better weekend in the calendar. The weather is set fair, there's no better atmosphere than a Saturday evening under lights, the Aviva is a sell-out and the carrot is a home semi-final against Biarritz or Toulouse – but that seems like yonks away rather than three weeks. Big Bad Mean Leicester are in town.

Coming swiftly after the Six Nations hiatus, this is always a tricky weekend for the provinces. Rewind a year and recall how indebted Leinster were to Brock James’ dose of the yips in that classic with Clermont. Compared to the flow of December and January, momentum and rhythm has been interrupted. The return of their England quintet has been more seamless for Leicester.

The Tigers are playing their third Saturday tea-time away game in a row, and after easing their way into the season have won their last four and six of seven on the road.

For Leinster, having earned the reward of a home quarter from one of the toughest pools, the last visitors they’d want are Leicester, who will revel in these circumstances. A knock-out cup mentality is in the club’s DNA, and they are 6-3 at this stage of the tournament, including wins over Leinster in 2002 and ’05, which was also one of two out of two against Leinster at the old Lansdowne Road.

Leinster are 4-3 at this stage of the competition, and if they had to have their preparations for this momentous tie fast-tracked, then no better way than a full-on collision with Munster at Thomond Park. Even the hurt of defeat ought to strengthen their desire.

As Shane Jennings did not make the cut, Leinster make only one change by restoring their preferred “home” scrumhalf Eoin Reddan in a statement of intent. As in their three rousing home wins in Europe – indeed Leinster have won all 12 of their home games this season, including wins over Munster and Clermont at the Aviva – Leinster want to attack and put pace and width on the ball. Jonny Sexton also plays better outside Reddan.

For any of that to come into play, Leinster need at least parity in the set-pieces, where an edge is possibly more important to Leicester’s chances. It’s a measure of Leicester’s emphasis on the scrum that in the absence of the suspended Marcos Ayerza, Richard Cockerill has opted for Kiwi loosehead Boris Stankovich, which still leaves Martin Castrogiovanni and Julien White on the bench. Their one change sees the return of the rested Louis Deacon in the secondrow, with Jordan Crane retained ahead of Thomas The Tank Engine Waldrom.

So the guts of a big 80-minute effort will be required from Cian Healy and Mike Ross, but they have proven themselves able for that. Also, while Jennings would have led the defence and brought a steely desire against his old club, retaining Kevin McLaughlin counters the lineout presence of the athletic Tom Croft.

As last Saturday would have reminded them, when their clearing out in the first half was so effective before Munster committed more physicality and numbers in the second half, the efficiency of Leinster’s breakdown work will be the critical.

Here Nigel Owens will be a key figure. Aside from being highly abrasive, even English commentators note that, in time-honoured fashion, Leicester remain possibly the most cynical side around, not least in slowing down ruck ball close to their line. But the Welsh official has not always seemed too partial to Irish sides: witness that remarkable 13-4 penalty count at Murrayfield recently.

Defensively, the Tigers scramble well, but they are by no means perfect, especially in the outside centre channel, where the 19-year-old Manu Tuilagi – dynamic runner though he is with his power and low centre of gravity – can be caught out of position. If anyone can exploit that with his lines of running, decoy runs and passing, it’s Brian O’Driscoll.

Leicester’s fringe defence has looked a little soft at times, and if Seán O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Cian Healy and co get motoring, Leinster will be well on the way.

The Tigers can also push up hard on the outside, where Alesana Tuilagi looks for those big Samoan hits, thereby leaving gaps in behind for grubbers.

Leicester miss Geordan Murphy, whereas Isa Nacewa gives Leinster so much attacking and counter-attacking potential.

There is, of course, the dynamic running threat of the Tuilagi brothers, who have scored 19 tries in Europe and the Premiership this season. But if Leinster can emulate Ireland in shutting down the threat of the livewire Ben Young and Toby Flood, who play flat and attack the gain line superbly, there’s a case for believing this excellent Leinster defence can keep Leicester at bay.

Ever since that epic, redemptive semi-final win two seasons ago against Munster, Leinster have brought a Test-match intensity to the Heineken Cup. Domestically and in Europe, Leinster have been two different animals. They know they’ll need to be again.

Forecast: Leinster to win.

** Should the score be tied at full-time, 20 minutes of extra time will be played. If still level, the winners will be the team which have scored the most tries in the game, including extra time. If still unresolved, the winners will be determined through a place-kick competition.