O'Driscoll's return a source of comfort for Leinster

Glasgow v Leinster: Leinster coach Michael Cheika has elected to shake things up a little behind the scrum, primarily handing Gordon D'Arcy a rest, following an extended run of matches. Brian O'Driscoll has recovered from an arm injury and assumes both the captaincy and his preferred midfield role of outside centre.

D'Arcy's absence - he is on the bench - means Shane Horgan continues at inside centre. Rob Kearney gets a rare outing in recent times taking over from Kieran Lewis who is included in the replacements. The changes in personnel won't change Leinster's backline approach, especially if Felipe Contepomi gets the quality ball he craves.

Reggie Corrigan resumes at loosehead prop with a late decision being taken on whether Ronan McCormack, who played the last day, or Emmet Byrne makes the match squad. Adam Byrnes once again joins Malcolm O'Kelly in the second row, with Ben Gissing, hoping to get some game time with contract issues looming.

Eric Miller played his last home match for Leinster at Lansdowne Road in the victory over the Ospreys, and it was a fitting epitaph for a player of his prodigious talent. He'd cherish a Celtic League winners medal to mark the end of his professional rugby career. Cheika will be hoping he's similarly prominent tomorrow.

Glasgow have made eight changes (seven in personnel, one positional) to the team that went down to the Dragons last week.

Warriors coach Sean Lineen, the New Zealand-born former Scottish centre, admitted: "This is going to be a really tough game.

"Leinster are going for the Celtic League title so they've got everything to play for but we want to win this one."

In the frontrow, Ben Prescott gets his first start this year following shoulder surgery, Fergus Thomson is named at hooker while the rotation policy continues in the second row with James Eddie replacing Tim Barker.

Lineen's penchant for different permutations in the backrow continues with John Beattie starting at number eight, Andrew Wilson at blindside flanker and Donnie Macfadyen, who captains the side for the first time, at openside flanker. Club captain Jon Petrie is rested.

Macfadyen said: "It's just awesome, I'm so excited about leading the side as I've played for Glasgow for a long time and have never been captain, so I'm keen to get out there and give it a damn good go against a top side."

Lineen added: "I'm really excited by this backrow combination. Plus we have John Barclay on the bench, who's been playing very well so I'd like to include him during the game and we have Stevie Swindall on the bench too."

Behind the scrum Colin Shaw moves to fullback, Spencer Davey to the wing with Graydon Staniforth dropping to the bench.

Colin Gregor starts at scrumhalf as both Graeme Beveridge and Sam Pinder are on the injured list. Also unavailable due to injury were Scott Barrow (groin), Graeme Morrison (groin), Euan Murray (achilles) and the Irish qualified Mike Roberts (ankle).

Leinster know exactly the type of challenge they face as they encounter the Scottish team for the third time this season, the Irish province triumphing on each occasion.

Glasgow will put width on the ball, going from touchline to touchline in search of chinks and if Leinster are lazy or disorganised in defence, have the wherewithal to profit. If Leinster can establish a platform up front, then they have the pace and quality to inflict serious punishment.

Cheika has craved consistency all season and it is that characteristic that the Irish province need over their final three matches.

Leinster boast the quality; it's just a question of emphasising that superiority on the pitch.

GLASGOW WARRIORS: C Shaw; S Davey, H O'Hare, A Henderson, R Lamont; D Parks, C Gregor; K Tkachuk, F Thomson, B Prescott; J Eddie, D Turner; A Wilson, D Macfadyen (capt), John Beattie. Replacements: E Milligan, S Corsar, C Hamilton, J Barclay, I Monaghan, S Swindall, G Staniforth.

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

Referee: Hugh Watkins (Wales).

Leading points scorers: Glasgow - Dan Parks 105; Leinster - Felipe Contepomi 249.

Leading try scorers: Glasgow - Rory Lamont 4; Leinster - Felipe Contepomi 8.

Verdict: Leinster to win.