O'Driscoll returns to add focus

Edinburgh v Leinster Murrayfield, 7.10, On TV: Sky Sports: Leinster's remit centres exclusively on victory. Mathematical permutations are rendered obsolete unless they can accomplish that primary goal.

Ulster could have claimed the title the last day but a draw perpetuated the scramble for the Celtic League title.

Leinster are two points behind but it may as well be three because Ulster are a comfortable 66pts ahead when it comes to points difference which would become the first criteria for separating the teams shouldLeinster beat Edinburgh, Ulster lose and the teams finish level on points.

Michael Cheika's Leinster must concentrate on beating an Edinburgh Gunners side against whom they have struggled historically, registering only one win in seven encounters. Those who prefer the glass half-full could reasonably point out the Irish province have won eight of their last nine meetings with Scottish sides.

Cheika is able to call upon a fit-again Brian O'Driscoll, the Leinster captain having recovered from a bicep injury to renew a midfield partnership with Gordon D'Arcy. Shane Horgan reverts to the wing. Up front, Niall Ronan's form is rewarded with a starting place in a very mobile and athletic backrow.

The team won't dwell too long on their last outing, a contest they could have won despite an insipid display. Although second best for most of that game against Cardiff, they were leading with seven minutes to play, but the errors that had pockmarked their performance resurfaced and they lost 40-31.

The scope for improvement is significant, especially out of touch where they simply must establish a consistent platform on their own ball. They are coughing up too many turnovers and to do so again tonight would be injurious to their ambitions. The set-piece play in general has to be assured to create opportunities for the backline.

On pitch leadership was also an issue the last day and O'Driscoll's return is timely.

It is Edinburgh coach Todd Blackadder's final game in charge before he returning to his native New Zealand.

"A lot of our motivation is not wanting Leinster to pick up the trophy at our ground," he said.

"We have the opportunity to finish third in the table and we want to finish as well as we can. But, ultimately, we want to deny Leinster victory on our patch."

Francisco Leonelli, Michael Pyke and Phil Godman replace Hugo Southwell, Chris Paterson and Peter Jorgensen respectively while Nick de Luca is preferred to Simon Webster, the latter dropping to the bench.

EDINBURGH GUNNERS: F Leonelli, M Pyke, P Godman, M Dey, N de Luca; A Monro, R Lawson (capt); A Jacobsen, A Kelly, A Dickinson; F Pringle, S Murray; M Mustchin, A Strokosh, D Callam. Replacements: D Hall, C Smith, R Rennie, A MacDonald, G Laidlaw, B Cairns, S Webster.

LEINSTER: G Dempsey; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll (capt), G D'Arcy, D Hickie; F Contepomi, G Easterby; R Corrigan, B Jackman, W Green; A Byrnes, M O'Kelly; N Ronan, K Gleeson, J Heaslip. Replacements: R McCormack/E Byrne, B Blaney, D Toner, E Miller, B O'Riordan, K Lewis, R Kearney.

Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales).

Leading points scorers: Edinburgh - Chris Paterson 149; Leinster - Felipe Contepomi 271.

Leading try scorers: Edinburgh - Simon Webster 7; Leinster - Contepomi 8.

Verdict: Leinster to win.