Leinster cannot afford to slip up on home turf

Victory is all that counts for Leinster today. It doesn't matter one iota whether it's crafted with flourishing brushstrokes or hacked out with a penknife. When hostilities cease the Irish province must find themselves on the right side of the scoreline or their Heineken European Cup aspirations could be likened to stale beer. It'd be that unpalatable.

Bath harbour their own ambitions but in defeat there is possible mitigation if they can snatch a bonus point. No team in what is a very competitive pool can afford to stall at home. The English side beat Bourgoin 22-12 last week at the Recreation Ground and while their results in the English league haven't been quite as stellar as last season's, performances have been good.

Against Wasps and Leicester recently, Bath have demonstrated a steely capacity for the blue-collar work of forward play. They have a strong, abrasive pack that falls once again under the baton of returning hooker Jonathan Humphreys.

Cardiff released the former Welsh international a couple of seasons ago on the basis that the sticky tape holding his body together was becoming dog-eared. Bath took a chance and Humphreys has repaid them in spades. He is one of two changes in the front row, the other being the return of tighthead prop Duncan Bell for last week's try- scoring hero Matt Stevens.

The second row is manned by internationals Steve Borthwick and Danny Grewcock while Michael Lipman returns to the back row. Zac Feaunati is Bath's answer to Victor Costello as those who followed his fortunes at London Irish will attest to. Martyn Wood is recalled at scrumhalf to partner the promising Ollie Barkley.

Bath's England/South Africa midfield axis of Mike Tindall and Robbie Fleck will relish a crack at Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy, especially as the latter have been hogging the pre-match bouquets. Even Bath's director of coaching John Connolly was moved to remark: "They have some great forwards whilst the O'Driscoll/D'Arcy combination in the centre is world class."

Chris Malone, ostensibly an outhalf, has been seconded to full back because Matt Perry is sidelined through injury; so, too, Joe Maddock while Lee Best is awaiting a hernia operation.

The Australian could well have been wearing the blue of Leinster as he attracted the interest of former Leinster coach Matt Williams and his assistant Willie Anderson a couple of seasons ago.

Leinster's win over Benetton Treviso last week in Italy was achieved with a scrappy enough performance and the province returned home without a precious bonus point, managing only three tries, the last of which and the best came in the fourth minute of second-half injury-time.

The scope for improvement is significant and will have to be realised if the home side are to continue on their winning ways. The back line looked a little out of sorts and will have to discover greater fluency and penetration. To achieve this they'll need a platform constructed by the pack.

The scrum was impressive against Treviso but the lineout malfunctioned alarmingly and Bath will have studied the video carefully in that respect.

Leinster need to up the tempo of their patterns, patiently work opportunities and be precise and clinical in exploiting chances.

Girvan Dempsey returns at fullback, Denis Hickie reverts to the left wing and Eric Miller is introduced at blindside flanker, changes that coach Declan Kidney will hope bring a more mature and settled performance.

For Shane Byrne there is the ancillary honour of making his 50th European Cup appearance in Leinster colours this evening: "Playing for Leinster means the world to me and I still get the same buzz each and every time I step out on the field in a blue jersey, be it away from home, in Donnybrook or this weekend in Lansdowne Road," he said. "The supporters have always been hugely supportive and we all appreciate their backing."

Reference to the fans is apposite. It's no surprise Leinster were extremely difficult to beat in the confines of a packed Donnybrook. Lansdowne Road is nowhere near as intimidating and while the move was borne out of financial considerations, the players will be hoping enough supporters make it through the turnstiles to offer a decent atmosphere.

It's going to be a tight, uncompromising struggle. Leinster will know performance levels have to soar.

LEINSTER: G Dempsey; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, D Hickie; D Holwell, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, E Byrne; M O'Kelly, L Cullen; E Miller, V Costello, S Jennings. Replacements: G Hickie, R Nebbett, B Gissing, A McCullen, G Easterby, F Contepomi, G Brown.

BATH: C Malone; A Higgins, R Fleck, M Tindall, B Daniel; O Barkley, M Wood; D Barnes, J Humphreys (capt), D Bell, S Borthwick, D Grewcock, A Beattie, I Feanuti, M Lipman. Replacements: L Mears, M Stevens, G Delve, R Fidler, J Scaysbrook, N Walshe, A Crockett.

Referee: N Williams (Wales).

Previous meetings: None. Odds (courtesy of Paddy Powers): 2/5 Leinster, 25/1 draw, 15/8 Bath. Handicap betting (Handicap Bath plus seven points): 10/11 Leinster 16/1 draw 10/11 Bath. Last time out: Treviso 9 Leinster 25; Bath 22 Bourgoin 12.

Verdict: Leinster to win.