British & Irish Lions Jamie Heaslip is set for a return to provincial colours this weekend © Getty Images

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News: Edinburgh extend lead at the top

Match Pack: Leinster punish disjointed Ospreys

Matches: Edinburgh 19 - 21 Leinster

Tournaments/Tours: Magners League

Teams: Cardiff Blues | Connacht | Dragons | Edinburgh | Glasgow | Ireland | Leinster | Munster | Ospreys | Scarlets | Scotland | Ulster | Wales

Table-topping Edinburgh welcome European champions Leinster to Murrayfield this weekend, the ground where the Irish province lifted the Heineken Cup at the end of last season.

Edinburgh's record winning run continued against Ulster last Friday and the Scotsmen have now won nine in a row and only Leinster (two runs of 10 wins and 11 wins) and Munster (10 wins) have had longer winning runs in Magners League history. Leinster have won their last two encounters but have lost on their last seven visits to Scotland in the Magners League.

The last six meetings between the two teams in the Magners League have been won by the home side on the day whilst Leinster's only triumph on Edinburgh soil in the Magners League was in 2006.

British & Irish Lion Mike Blair will make his first start of the season for Edinburgh having had cameo roles in the wins over Connacht and Ulster. Centre Nick De Luca is also poised to record his first start of the new season; reclaiming the No.12 jersey from John Houston, who is selected on the bench.

"We are looking to carefully manage the whole squad over the course of the season because there is a lot of rugby to be played in the Magners League, Heineken Cup and in international rugby as well," commented coach Rob Moffat.

"Historically, we've played well against Leinster here at Murrayfield and both teams tend to want to play open, attacking rugby which will make it an exciting encounter for spectators. Leinster have developed their game over the past two or three seasons and they are far more physical than they used to be.

"It is a chance for us to keep moving on. It was a good win at Ulster last weekend, but, in many respects, it was not a good performance."

As a result of Blair's promotion into the starting line-up, Greig Laidlaw is named amongst the replacements while Alan MacDonald, who missed Friday's win at Ulster because of a virus, reclaims the blindside flanker spot. Chris Paterson continues at fullback and the Scotland international will be aiming to continue his prolific spell with the kicking tee - he has now scored from all of his previous 14 attempts. After chalking up 47 points, Paterson is also the leading points scorer in the tournament - four points ahead of Glasgow's Dan Parks.

Leinster have also been bolstered by the return of some big names with Lions Luke Fitzgerald, Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney all set for their first start of the season. They are joined by Girvan Dempsey on the bench, who missed last weekend's 18-11 victory over the Ospreys.

In the pack, skipper Leo Cullen starts alongside Nathan Hines with Heaslip forming a powerful back three alongside two recent Academy graduates Sean O'Brien and Kevin McLaughlin. Cian Healy continues in the front row alongside John Fogarty and Stan Wright.

Fly-half Shaun Berne will partner Eoin Reddan with Fergus McFadden starting alongside Gordon D'Arcy at centre. Jonathan Sexton, who scored 15 points at the Liberty Stadium, is named amongst an extended bench that also includes 19-year-old Leinster Academy and Ireland Under-20 back-row forward Dominic Ryan.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Leinster assistant coach Alan Gaffney said, "Edinburgh have always been a good side and perhaps they're only getting the recognition they deserve now after their excellent start to the season. They're a side we know well having played them four times last season and with each game you can see how they're progressing, so that makes this weekend's game an exciting one to be a part of and one I know our players are looking forward to.

"At this moment in time we know that we're not in top form, but we are improving. Saturday's game will be another massive challenge for us and one that we're looking forward to."

Edinburgh: Chris Paterson, Mark Robertson, Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca, Tim Visser, Phil Godman, Mike Blair (captain), Kyle Traynor, Ross Ford, Geoff Cross, Craig Hamilton, Scott MacLeod, Alan MacDonald, Roddy Grant, Allister Hogg

Replacements: Andrew Kelly, Allan Jacobsen, Ryan Grant/Davie Young, Steve Turnbull, Scott Newlands, Greig Laidlaw, John Houston.

Leinster: Rob Kearney, Shane Horgan, Fergus McFadden, Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, Shaun Berne, Eoin Reddan, Cian Healy, John Fogarty, Stan Wright, Leo Cullen (captain), Nathan Hines, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: (from) Bernard Jackman, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Shane Jennings, Dominic Ryan, Simon Keogh, Jonathan Sexton, Girvan Dempsey

Referee: Tim Hayes (WRU)

Assistant referee: Graham Knox (SRU), Bob Nevins (SRU)
Television Match Official: Jim Yuille (SRU)