Leaders Leinster regroup

Celtic League/Glasgow v Leinster:   Leinster are riding high on top of the Magners Celtic League with 50 points, four ahead …

Celtic League/Glasgow v Leinster:  Leinster are riding high on top of the Magners Celtic League with 50 points, four ahead of second-placed Ulster. Given their Heineken European Cup dream died last weekend in London, their focus is on carrying off at least one trophy this season.

Opponents Glasgow Warriors, on the face of it, don't seem such a huge challenge. Third from bottom in the table and almost 20 points behind Leinster, they do, however, have a strong home record.

For Leinster, Christian Warner goes to inside centre to partner Gordon D'Arcy, who moves to 13 in the absence of injured captain Brian O'Driscoll. Brian Blaney is in at hooker as Bernard Jackman is ruled out with injury, while in the back row, Cameron Jowitt comes in alongside Keith Gleeson and Jamie Heaslip.

Glasgow coach Sean Lineen makes just one change to the side that lost 23-19 to Saracens in the European Challenge Cup quarter-final last Sunday: Scott Barrow replaces centre Andrew Henderson, who is ruled out with a damaged left elbow.

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GLASGOW: R Lamont; H O'Hare, G Morrison, S Barrow, T Evans; D Parks, G Beveridge; J Va'a, F Thomson, E Murray; A Newman, A Kellock (capt); S Swindall, J Barclay, J Beattie. Replacements: S Lawson, K Tkachuk, D Turner, A Wilson, D Macfadyen, C Gregor, C Shaw.

LEINSTER: G Dempsey; S Horgan, G D'Arcy, C Warner, D Hickie; F Contepomi (capt), C Whitaker; S Wright, B Blaney, W Green; T Hogan, M O'Kelly; C Jowitt, K Gleeson, J Heaslip. Replacements: R Corrigan, H Vermaas, O Finegan, K McLaughlin, G Easterby, L Fitzgerald, R Kearney.

Referee: T Hayes (WRU).

Verdict: Leinster win.

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson is a sports writer with The Irish Times