History should temper Leinster's euphoria, but not arrest the momentum following last Friday night's superb victory over Leicester at Donnybrook. Two seasons ago Leinster managed an identical result at the same venue over the Tigers yet promptly travelled to Milan and lost.
Tonight they face Glasgow Caledonians at Hughenden in a match that will have a pivotal outcome to their aspirations in Pool A. Winning home matches is a prerequisite of the European Cup but to advance as section winners or runners-up, at least one successful smash-and-grab will be required.
Neither the visit to Paris (Stade Francais) nor Welford Road (Leicester) appears to offer gilt-edged opportunity, so Leinster coach Mike Ruddock will have impressed upon his charges that Glasgow offers the best chance of pinching an away victory.
This in no way demeans the quality of opposition tonight - the Glasgow team contains nine Scottish internationals - merely reflects the obvious quality of the group. Leinster's preparations have been disrupted by the withdrawal through injury of international second-row Malcolm O'Kelly but his replacement, Ireland under-21 captain Leo Cullen is a player of considerable promise.
His partnership with the equally youthful Robert Casey in the transfers the weight of responsibility onto more experienced shoulders, principally hooker Shane Byrne, tight-head Gary Halpin, Victor Costello and captain Liam Toland. The remainder of the pack are enjoying fledgling representative careers and will need cajoling from their more senior brethren.
The Leinster pack is a formidable scrummaging unit especially since the introduction of Emmet Byrne; Casey and Cullen should ensure that out of touch they are similarly well endowed. Costello and O'Brien have been in excellent form as a prodigious ball carrier and a punishing defender, respectively. Toland's leadership has transformed Leinster into a more committed and focused unit.
The focus will once again alight on the decision-making of the promising young half-backs Derek Hegarty and Mark McHugh. The latter enjoyed a fine competitive debut, after a nervous opening and his place-kicking was excellent.
McHugh will be hoping that the jittery performance of the three-quarter line the last day has been rectified by exhaustive fine tuning on the training ground. The scope for improvement is considerable, commensurate with the ability of the players concerned.
Many Irishmen have set off for Scotland full of optimism only tofinish the evening grieving into the bottom of a pint class. Leinster established the momentum, tonight the must prove that they can sustain it.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; D Hickie, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, P McKenna; M McHugh, D Hegarty; E Byrne, S Byrne, G Halpin; R Casey, L Cullen; D O'Brien, V Costello, L Toland (capt). Replacements: R Corrigan, P Smyth, G Fulcher, C McEntee, B Free, E Farrell, G D'Arcy.
GLASGOW CALEDONIANS: G Metcalfe; A Bulloch, J Stuart, I Jardine, S Longstaff; T Hayes, A Nicol (capt); D Hilton, G Bulloch, G McIlwham; S Campbell, J White; J Petrie, G Simpson, R Reid. Replacements: B Irving, I McInroy, F Stott, M Waite, D Burns, A Watt, G Scott.
Referee: P Thomas (France).
Odds (Paddy Powers): Glasgow Caledonians plus 2, 5/6, Leinster minus 2, 5/6. Draw 16/1.
