Celtic Cup/Quarter-final preview: With Shane Horgan, Denis Hickie and Malcolm O'Kelly on the bench for tonight's quarter-final, this is not the province's strongest starting side.
That the four are on the bench suggests that they will be used at some stage against a Glasgow team Leinster defeated two weeks ago in the final round of Celtic League matches.
No doubt Leinster, despite the recent aggravation over the loss of Declan Kidney, go into this match as favourites. With Lions and Irish skipper Brian O'Driscoll partnering Gordon D'Arcy in the centre and David Holwell reliably in at 10, Leinster as usual have a strong running attack; Kieran Lewis, Gary Brown and Girvan Dempsey completing the potent look of the back line.
In the pack Leo Cullen and Ben Gissing form the second row partnership behind two thirds of the Irish front row, Reggie Corrigan and Shane Byrne accompanied by Ricky Nebbett. Victor Costello and Keith Glesson form the backrow trio with Des Dillon taking the blind side position.
Glasgow come to Lansdowne Road with the recent league defeat ringing in their ears and an injury to their first choice hooker and Scottish captain Gordon Bulloch. Although not serious, the 75-times capped international and current Lions squad member will not be available for his club today in Dublin. The injury is not expected to jeopardise his place on the New Zealand tour. As a result Scott Lawson comes back in the starting team as the only change among the forwards from the team that lost to Leinster two weeks ago at Hughenden.
"Gordon injured a leg in training last week," said Hugh Campbell, Glasgow's head coach. "It has not responded in time, and he can't be considered for the Dublin match."
Two changes have been made in the backs with Scott Barrow and Graeme Beveridge coming into inside centre and scrum half respectively. Barrow's promotion pushes Andrew Henderson to 13 with Andy Craig dropping to the bench.
Leinster go into the game having won their last three matches of the Celtic League campaign, including the 30-23 win at Hughenden, as well as all five matches played at Lansdowne Road.
Glasgow's only two wins against Leinster in their nine previous meetings were both at Hughenden in the 1999-2000 European Cup and the 2002-03 Celtic League pool phase. Home support will expect and Leinster will want a strong performance.
Leinster v Glasgow Lansdowne Road, 7.30 Live on Setanta
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; G Brown, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, K Lewis; D Holwell, G Easterby; R Corrigan, S Byrne, R Nebbett, B Gissing, L Cullen, D Dillon, K Gleeson, V Costello. Replacements: E Byrne, D Blaney, M O'Kelly, S Jennings, B O'Riordan, S Horgan, D Hickie.
GLASGOW: C Howarth; R Lamont, A Henderson, S Barrow, S Lamont; D Parks, G Beveridge; K Tkachuk, S Lawson, E Murray, J Beardshaw, D Turner, S Swindall, J Petrie, P Dearlove. Replacements: F Thompson, B Prescott, A Hall, A Wilson, S Pinder, K Logan, A Craig.
Referee: Nigel Williams (WRU).
Verdict: Leinster win.
