Heineken Cup - Pool 2
Leinster set for vital Edinburgh tie
Scrum.com
January 23, 2009
Felipe Contepomi of Leinster during the Heineken Cup Pool 6 match between Toulouse and Leinster at the Stade Ernest Wallon on November 18, 2007 in Toulouse, France.
Felipe Contepomi continues in the centre for Leinster against Edinburgh © Getty Images
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Leinster will be looking to put their front-row woes behind them and secure a Heineken Cup quarter-final berth with a bonus-point win over Edinburgh at the RDS. Five points against the side from the Scottish capital will send Leinster into the last eight at the expense of Wasps.

With both Stan Wright and CJ van der Linde limping off early during last weekend's loss to Wasps at Twickenham, the game was forced to revert to uncontested scrums. Wright has recovered to take his place in the starting line-up against Edinburgh, while Cian Healy starts in place of van der Linde. Ollie le Roux starts on the bench.

Leinster boss Michael Cheika has made no changes to his backline, with Felipe Contepomi continuing to partner Brian O'Griscoll in the centre, with Luke Fitzgerald on the wing. Rob Kearney starts at fullback, with Shane Horgan completing the back-three. Gordon D'Arcy starts on the bench.

Edinburgh hand a first start to prop Kyle Traynor, while Chris Paterson replaces Hugo Southwell at fullback. David Blair starts at fly-half, alongside Greig Laidlaaw as Scotland skipper Mike Blair is rested.

"I'm delighted to be given an opportunity for Edinburgh. Andy (Robinson) told me that if I worked hard then I would get what I deserve," said Traynor. "With so much quality in the squad, it is a case of training hard and making sure when you do get an opportunity you take it."

Leinster: Rob Kearney, Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll, Felipe Contepomi, Luke Fitzgerald, Isa Nacewa, Chris Whitaker (capt), Cian Healy, Bernard Jackman, Stan Wright, Trevor Hogan, Devin Toner, Rocky Elsom, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: John Fogarty, Ollie le Roux, Stephen Keogh, Sean O'Brien, Chris Keane, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey

Edinburgh: Paterson; A. Turnbull, De Luca, Houston, Webster, D. Blair, Laidlaw; Traynor, Kelly, G. Cross, C. Hamilton, Gissing, Newlands, S. Cross, Hogg (captain).

Replacements: Lawrie, Kerr, J. Hamilton, MacDonald, Meyer, Thompson, Reid

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