Connacht v Leinster, Sportsground, Galway, Today, 2pm: Connacht have declined to name a team ahead of today's clash, a gambit possibly designed to befuddle the visitors, although it's difficult to see too many Leinster players swooning in disbelief whatever line-up emerges from the home dressingroom.
It smacks a little of desperation, like rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic. Granted Connacht have one or two injury concerns, but coach Michael Bradley would have known the composition of his team yesterday afternoon.
Connacht's brinkmanship will probably be lost on Leinster as their coach Michael Cheika reiterated his belief during the week that his team must concentrate on their own performance. He is adamant Leinster must look within to develop rather than become fixated on the opposition.
If his team buys into this ethos - and the coach suggests they have if the training pitch is any barometer - Connacht are guaranteed a difficult afternoon. Leinster's national team members should have returned from the November test series looking for an outlet to vent their frustration and today represents such an opportunity.
There has been an over-reliance on Felipe Contepomi, and while the Argentinian has enjoyed a brilliant season to date he could do with one or two others picking up the slack.
Connacht will target the Leinster front five for that is their perceived weakness. Eric Miller made an excellent return from injury in Leinster A's victory over Oxford, but whatever triumvirate Bradley settles on will make it a decent scrap for possession in the battle of the backrows.
Keith Matthews may or may not still be hampered by a groin injury, so, too, new Tongan import Andrew Mailei who picked up a bang against France: this could mean a Connacht midfield axis of John Hearty and New Zealander Gavin Williams. Connacht's Conor McPhillips is one of the form wings and to their credit Bradley's team look to play an expansive game.
It is the age-old scenario for Leinster: fail to get their attitude right and Connacht will punish them. The gulf in standing in terms of the Celtic League table - Connacht bottom, Leinster fourth - probably won't manifest itself on the pitch today. Connacht are better than that, but maybe not good enough to snatch the points.
CONNACHT: tbc.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; K Lewis, G D'Arcy, S Horgan, R Kearney; F Contepomi (capt), G Easterby; R Corrigan, B Jackman, W Green; B Gissing, B Williams; E Miller, K Gleeson, J Heaslip. Replacements (from): B Blaney, E Byrne, C Jowitt, A Byrnes, N Ronan, B O'Riordan, J Hepworth, E Hickey.
Referee: S McDowell (IRFU).
Previous meetings: May 2002 (Interpro) at Sportsground: Connacht 20 Leinster 49; September 2002 (CL) at Donnybrook: Leinster 23 Connacht 26; October 2003 (CL) at Donnybrook: Leinster 21 Connacht 6; March 2004 (CL) at Sportsground: Connacht 35 Leinster 24; November 2004 (CL) at Donnybrook: Leinster 18 Connacht 9; March 2005 (CL) at Sportsground: Connacht 21 Leinster 26.
Leading points scorers: Connacht - Paul Warwick 49. Leinster - Felipe Contepomi 97.
Leading try scorers: Connacht - Conor McPhillips 3. Leinster - Robert Kearney 3.
Verdict: Leinster to win.
