Having kick-started their European campaign in the south of France, attention switches back to bread and butter of the Magners League for Leinster this weekend. And Alan Gaffney is determined to build on the momentum gained in Saturday’s win over Brive.

The consultant coach was naturally delighted with the way Leinster came back from the crushing disappointment of the London Irish defeat but is keen to park the result and move forward.

“The players showed great strength of character and resolve to bounce back from the London Irish defeat,” Gaffney said today, “and though we perhaps weren’t as clinical as we would have like to be in the closing quarter of the match, we got the win.

“Perhaps we weren’t as expansive as we would have liked but we’re mindful that you need to adjust to what’s in front of you on the day.”

As for this Saturday, with Leinster travelling north to face an improving Ulster side, Gaffney is understandably wary.

“There’s a strong blend of youth and experience across their team,” he added. “While a lot has been made of the exciting young up-and-coming forwards and backs like Chris Henry and Darren Cave, for example, there’s also a core spine of talented experienced heads in there.

“Guys like Tom Court, Brendon Botha and Andy Kyriacou are supplemented by the likes of Isaac Boss, Andrew Trimble and Paddy Wallace who have been around for a long time. Ulster are going to be tough opponents because they are a side on the up.”

CJ van der Linde, who made his first appearance since January against Brive, is named in a strong selection for the match at Ravenhill.

Leinster squad:Leo Cullen, John Fogarty, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines, Bernard Jackman, Shane Jennings, Stephen Keogh, Ronan McCormack, Kevin McLaughlin, Malcolm O'Kelly, Sean O'Brien, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, CJ van der Linde. Shaun Berne, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Luke Fitzgerald, Shane Horgan, Chris Keane, Rob Kearney, Simon Keogh, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa, Brian O'Driscoll, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton