After a prolonged spell in the doldrums, Brian O'Driscoll will finally have something to smile about tomorrow night should Leinster claim the Celtic League title.

Michael Cheika's side can clinch top spot at Murrayfield, regardless of how Munster get on the next day, with a bonus point win over bogey team Edinburgh.

And O'Driscoll was today named in the side following his recovery from the hamstring injury picked up during Ireland's Six Nations campaign.

The Ireland captain has had little to lift his spirits on the rugby front in recent months, unable to shake the national side out of their lethargy during the World Cup before December's defeat in Edinburgh effectively ended Leinster's interest on the European stage.

The Six Nations promised a redemption of sorts, but, despite an encouraging display in Paris, Ireland's momentum was derailed by the Welsh in Croke Park, the match in which O'Driscoll sustained his hamstring injury.

Now, making his first appearance in the competition since early January, the gifted centre can get his hands on a second piece of Celtic League silverware.

O'Driscoll will join Felipe Contepomi in the Leinster midfield, with Jonathon Sexton remaining in situ at number 10. Luke Fitzgerald reverts to the right wing in place of Shane Horgan who is suffering from illness.

"It is hard missing out but I suppose I've become a better watcher of games, I've had to!" said O'Driscoll, who will nevertheless win his 100th cap in Scotland. "It's great that the team has been doing so well recently and though I would have loved to help them, it's important that we continue to pick up the victories.

"As we approach these last few games it's important that we don't think about where we are and treat every game on its own merit. The position in the table shouldn't affect
our mindset or how we approach games."

Leinster: G Dempsey; L Fitzgerald, B O'Driscoll, F Contepomi, R Kearney: J Sexton, C Whitaker; O le Roux, B Jackman, S Wright: L Cullen, T Hogan: S Keogh, S Jennings,  J Heaslip. Replacements(from): B Blaney, S Knoop, M O'Kelly, C Jowitt, K Gleeson, C Keane, C Warner, M Berne, G Brown