Home side may pack more punch than Leinster

MAGNERS LEAGUE Edinburgh v Leinster: LEINSTER COACH Michael Cheika has retained only three players from the team that started against Harlequins at The Stoop for tonight's Magners League game in the Scottish capital. Gordon D'Arcy, Isa Nacewa – he switches from wing to outhalf in the continued absence of the suspended Jonathan Sexton – and captain Leo Cullen play their second games in five days.

The entire bench from the Harlequins match are included from the start, supplemented by a fit again Fergus McFadden, Chris Keane, Stephen Knoop, Cameron Jowitt and Stephen Keogh.

Ollie le Roux is named among the replacements as are young prospects Paul O’Donohue and Ireland under-20 international Ian McKinley, the latter can play in the centre or outhalf.

The Magners League is Munster’s to lose at this point in the season after their victory over Leinster at Thomond Park. For several Leinster players, though, tonight’s game offers an opportunity to advance their candidacy for the Heineken Cup semi-final between the two Irish provinces at Croke Park on May 2nd.

One of those is openside flanker Seán O’Brien who’ll be determined to produce a towering display at Murrayfield.

“There’s a lot of confidence in the squad right now. The Harlequins win has given us a lift and we know that the real hard work starts now.

“There are a few places up for grabs so the message for those of us who weren’t involved last week is that we will have to work hard to get into the team.

“The work ethic in the team has been strong all season and over the last few months we have had to fight hard to win tight games. Personally, this year has gone well. I have enjoyed being involved in big games, like the Wasps victory at home; it gave me a taste of the level that’s required. It’s up to us this weekend to make a mark and take our chances.”

O’Brien isn’t quite ready to concede the Magners League title to Munster but the Leinster team that takes the field against Edinburgh tonight will start as appreciable second favourites against a strong looking home line-up. The Irish province may point to the fact that they have beaten Edinburgh on the three occasions the teams have met this season but the last time Leinster won a Magners League match in Scotland was over two years ago.

It’s a big match for players like Simon Keogh, Chris Keane, Ronan McCormack, Trevor Hogan, Cameron Jowitt and Stephen Keogh all of whom would desperately like to be involved in that European semi-final.

This could be the only opportunity to stake a claim as Cheika is more than likely to play a largely full-strength team against Glasgow at the RDS on Saturday week; seven days before the Munster match.

Edinburgh recall secondrow Jim Hamilton, who missed the win over Cardiff because of injury, while Ryan Grant and Andrew Turnbull are named among the replacements.

Lions candidate Mike Blair leads a powerful looking home side that includes place-kicking phenomenon Chris Paterson, a fleet-footed three-quarter line and an athletic, physical set of forwards.

Several Leinster individuals have a great deal for which to play but Edinburgh’s more settled side look better equipped to guarantee a victory.

EDINBURGH:C Paterson; J Houston, B Cairns, N De Luca, S Webster; P Godman, M Blair (capt); K Traynor, R Ford, G Cross; C Hamilton, G Hamilton; S Newlands, A MacDonald, A Hogg. Replacements: A Kelly, R Grant, S MacLeod, M Mustchin, G Laidlaw, D Blair, A Turnbull.

LEINSTER:G Dempsey; S Horgan, F McFadden, G D'Arcy, Simon Keogh; I Nacewa, C Keane; R McCormack, J Fogarty, S Knoop; L Cullen (capt), T Hogan; C Jowitt, S O'Brien, Stephen Keogh. Replacements: B Blaney, O le Roux, D Toner, K McLaughlin, P O'Donohoe, I McKinley, G Brown.

Referee:T Hayes (Wales).

Last meeting(September 2008) Leinster 52 Edinburgh 6

Leading points scorers:Edinburgh – Chris Paterson 98. Leinster – Felipe Contepomi 150

Leading try scorers:Edinburgh – Simon Webster 3. Leinster – Luke Fitzgerald 5.

Verdict:Edinburgh to win.