The timing could not be better for Leinster coach Michael Cheika, or Ireland coach Declan Kidney, as the province prepares for its crucial Heineken Cup qualification battles in January before the RBS 6 Nations gets under way at the start of February.

Kidney played Luke Fitzgerald in the centre alongside Brian O'Driscoll during the November internationals but Ireland's captain has been struggling with a hamstring problem and is rested, along with Shane Horgan, for Saturday's encounter while hooker Bernard Jackman misses out after treatment for a knee ligament injury.

Nonetheless, Cheika has a strong squad available as they look to banish memories of their Heineken Cup defeat to Castres a fortnight ago.