Contepomi to guide Leinster to victory

Leinster v Celtic Warriors: Felipe Contepomi has recovered from minor ankle surgery and is restored to the Leinster team for tonight's Celtic League clash.

The Argentinian outhalf suffered the damage while playing for Carlow against Shannon.

He links up with Brian O'Riordan at halfback in a Leinster back line which shows one further change to the side that lost to Munster at Musgrave Park, with Gary Brown introduced at outside centre. Brown has been out injured and only returned to the bench last week, but he will form a midfield partnership with Christian Warner. The Australian moves in one place to fill the role vacated by the injured David Quinlan.

Clontarf prop Sean Brophy is given a start at loosehead with Enda Bohan dropping to the bench. Brian O'Meara has shrugged off a hamstring injury and joins the replacements, as does Clontarf centre James Downey.

Celtic Warriors outhalf Neil Jenkins will be hoping to continue a phenomenal goal-kicking strike rate at Donnybrook. The former Wales and Lions star has converted his last 37 kicks in the Celtic League and European Cup. The last time he missed was last October against Munster.

The Warriors are severely affected by international call-ups (11) at senior and under-21 level, but they can expect a fair amount of support from visiting Welsh fans over for Sunday's match at Lansdowne Road.

Leinster badly need a win having lost their last two outings. On both occasions they were undermined by defensive lapses. Contepomi will give them direction and they possess enough ability up front and behind the scrum to nudge their way back up the table.

LEINSTER: J Norton; J McWeeney, G Brown, C Warner, B Burke; F Contepomi, B O'Riordan; S Brophy, G Hickie, P Coyle; B Gissing, A Kearney; N Breslin, D Dillon, S Jennings (capt). Replacements: E Bohan, D Blaney, S Crawford, C Potts, B O'Meara, M Leek, J Downey.

CELTIC WARRIORS: G Wyatt; D James, S James, J Bryant (capt), R Mustoe; N Jenkins, S Martens; C Loader, M Rees, C Horsman; N Kelly, D Jones; R Jones, R Bryan, C Harris. Replacements: C Balshen, M Jones, R Parks, M Molitika, P John, E Lewis, D Bishop.

Referee: R Dickson (Scotland).

Verdict: Leinster.