Leinster in progress test

Celtic League Previews: While injuries are pretty much a staple diet, disrupting Leinster preparations these days - James Downey is the latest casualty - a young team has learned to compensate for the absence of key players.

Three victories on the bounce and a once beleaguered squad has a spring to its step. Tonight offers perhaps the most searching examination of Leinster's rehabilitation, a fact reflected in the strong team Llanelli have brought to Dublin.

There may be no Scott Quinnell, who is injured, but the Welsh side includes the tournament's leading points scorer in outhalf Gareth Bowen. Second in the table they have won six of seven games, including beating Munster at Thomond Park.

The inevitable comparison is that Leinster lost their opening match of the Celtic League to Alan Gaffney's side, suffering a run of four consecutive defeats. Mitigation may be offered from the fact the Munster team on that opening night at Donnybrook was nowhere near as heavy hitting when Llanelli came calling.

There is also the premise that Leinster have moved on under the new young captain, Shane Jennings. Others too have taken their opportunity, Des Dillon at number eight, Gavin Hickie, Aidan Kearney and Niall Breslin.

Llanelli's set-piece play will be formidable. The home side will need to have a solid scrum and lineout to provide the platform for a back line that changes on a weekly basis. Christian Warner is fit after a neck problem while up front Niall Treston gets an opportunity at tighthead prop.

Llanelli will look to Bowen, the strong running Salesi Finau and centre Tal Selley. It should be tight and for Leinster coach Gary Ella, a decent examination of the progress made by his team.

LEINSTER: G D'Arcy; J McWeeney, C Warner, D Quinlan, G Brown; M Leek, B O' Meara; E Byrne, G Hickie, N Treston; B Gissing, A Kearney; N Breslin, D Dillon, S Jennings (capt). Replacements: P Coyle, D Blaney, C Potts, N Ronan, S Whelan, P McKenna, D O'Shea.

LLANELLI: B Davies: R Rees, T Selley, M Watkins, S Finau; G Bowen, M Phillips; P John, A Gravelle, J Davies; J Griffiths, A Jones; V Cooper, E Lewis, I Boobyer. Replacements: D Maddocks, A Yelland, B Griffiths, G Williams, G Burn, C Thomas, L Byrne.

Referee: R Dickson (Scotland).