Matt Mostyn, Matt Williams, Nathan Spooner - three Australians linked by a common background, the origins of which date to time spent with the Eastwood club in Sydney and the New South Wales Super 12 franchise.

Mostyn, capped six times by Ireland, starts on the right wing for Newport in tomorrow night's Heineken Cup clash against Leinster at Donnybrook. Determined to earn the bragging rights when the trio enjoy post-match beers are Leinster coach Williams and outhalf Spooner.

Leinster and Newport enter the match defending unbeaten records in the tournament, the Welsh club's is marginally more impressive in that they beat Newcastle away in their first match, whereas Leinster's twin successes over Toulouse and Newcastle have come at home.

Mostyn and Spooner are friends, the latter having attended the former Ireland right wing's wedding in Australia recently. "Spoons was there. It's a friendship that dates back to playing together for Eastwood and New South Wales," says Mostyn. "I was talking to him a couple of weeks ago and he was telling me how impressed he was with the Leinster set-up and how much he is enjoying his rugby.

"I knew they (Leinster) were playing well but I had no idea how well until I saw the tapes. I have been incredibly impressed. Leinster are playing a great style of rugby and it's always hard to counter that, when you don't know where the counter-attack is coming from."

Williams is also well known to Mostyn having worked with the Leinster coach at both club and Super 12 level. It is a relationship that has not always gone smoothly: Mostyn accepts that his attitude at the time left a lot to be desired.

"Matt and I have spoken since then. That was basically my fault. I had a few situations where I let myself down . . . also off the field. I was probably nowhere near my best form. There are no sour grapes there. I know that he had a job to do and it's just the way it turns out sometimes. Matt, especially early in my career, was a very positive influence.

"I was on the (New South Wales) B side when Matt was there, but I wasn't in his squad for the last year that he was there. He also coached in Eastwood, which was my club team. I was in the Colts. He was always very good with his time."

Mostyn may have won the last of his six Ireland caps in the 1999 World Cup but this year once again infiltrated the national squad. Irish coach Warren Gatland has always been a fan and he included the wing in the squad that travelled to Poland for training during the summer and also in the 34-man squad that convened before the Six Nations Championship match against Scotland.

He'd like to resume his international career despite shipping heavy and, at times, unjustified criticism from the Irish media. He scored three tries against Argentina at Lansdowne Road in 1999, winning the man-of-the-match award, yet the focus descended on his callow defence, going on to point out that the tries were gift-wrapped.

Mostyn doesn't harbour any grudges, is philosophical about the treatment meted out ("it's a bit disappointing but you take it and run with it") but determined to prove those critics wrong. Moving from Galwegians and Connacht to Newport has reignited his career.

Last season he twice faced Munster in the European Cup with mixed memories. "In the first match I thought so much about the game beforehand that I was tired before the match actually started. I was happier with the way I played in the return match.

"I've been in a few of the recent squads and was quite happy with my form last season. Playing for Ireland remains an important target for me.

"It's hard when you're playing over here (Wales) to attract the same sort of attention as you would back in Ireland. The Celtic League game against Munster gave me an opportunity, although in fairness that night I don't think either myself or Anthony Horgan touched the ball: A classic winger's game where you're freezing and lonely," he laughs.

"Leinster tomorrow night is another opportunity for me to perform in front of the national team management. You have to take those chances. Obviously, I would love to be back involved some day and I certainly haven't given up on that. I watched the Ireland game last weekend with a few of the guys over here and thoroughly enjoyed it. The boys were brilliant and fully deserved the success.

"The Irish thing is out of my hands. I have to concentrate on the present and that's the Leinster match. It's about helping my team to win and through that hopefully performing well."

Matt wouldn't mind a glossy finish or two.