Leinster return to the home comforts of Donnybrook - unplayable toward the end of last season - for the first time in almost six months this Saturday and never will it have seemed so plush. In addition to the resurfaced fibre sand-based main surface, which cost half the €500,000 investment which was put into the Donnybrook pitches, Saturday's game will also witness the new open-seating stand for 1,100 at the Bective end.
"It's always a factor," commented Keith Gleeson on Leinster's return to Donnybrook to face Glasgow (kick-off 5.00).
"It's our home ground. Most of the players have played there. It's a great fun stadium to play in. Certainly we took note that the Ospreys played in a lovely 20,000-seater stadium but Donnybrook means a lot to us, the crowd is right on top of us, it provides a great atmosphere, and the work they've done on the pitch gives us a great platform to work off."
The need for a win in the season's first home game against opponents Leinster have beaten in their last five meetings (Glasgow haven't won in Ireland since December 2001) has been accentuated by last Sunday's 22-20 defeat to the Ospreys.
While Reggie Corrigan's recuperation from a broken finger rules him out, Michael Cheika includes the fit-again Australian lock Adam Byrnes in a 27-man squad, though there remains a doubt about Eric Miller due to a calf strain.
There will be changes, as Cheika seeks to utilise his squad, though not wholesale.
"I think anyone who saw the game last weekend saw that we have to improve our set piece," admitted Cheika, who confirmed that Leinster coughed up 11 line-outs.
But rather than reconstruct this area of their game or make new calls, the Leinster coach wants his players to "work more on our technique as individuals".
"What I was very happy about was the way we stayed in the game. We played pretty poorly but we stayed in the game, and that's a sign of an identity within the team," added Cheika, also citing the performances of youngsters Robert Kearney, Jamie Heaslip and Simon Crawford.
After a pre-match downpour, with temperatures of 27 degreees come kick-off, Gleeson likened the oval leather to a bar of soap but, in contrast to almost everyone else, it seemed to stick to Girvan Dempsey - continuing his fine end-of-season form - like adhesive. "Excellent," was Chieka's verdict on his fullback.
"Ran with the ball really nicely. He threw one beautiful ball behind the back and it may not always come out the best because mistakes will happen when you encourage players to play like that, but we keep asking them to look and threaten the opposition."
Chieka spoke of Dempsey's enthusiasm and desire to improve his attacking game. "I think he's really enjoyed the pre-season. He was probably the pick of the players really."
To his bemusement, Cheika has been unable to locate a video of Glasgow's reportedly vicious defeat at home to the Dragons last Friday. "I have had a look at them (Glasgow) from last year and they are quite competitive. I am very surprised at how much they throw the ball around so it is going to be an interesting battle for us."
Tickets are available from Elvery's (Dawson Street and Suffolk Street), Spar (Donnybrook), Leinster Rugby Store. Prices: Open Stand: €20, Adult Terrace: €15, SchoolBoy/Girl: €5.
Further details on www.leinsterrugby.ie
LEINSTER (squad): Forwards (15): Emmett Byrne, Will Green, John Lyne, Ronan McCormack, David Blaney, Bernard Jackman, Adam Byrnes, Ben Gissing, Des Dillon, Simon Crawford, Ciaran Potts, Niall Ronan, Keith Gleeson, Eric Miller, Jamie Heaslip. Backs (12): Guy Easterby, Brian O'Meara, Brian O'Riordan, Christian Warner, Felipe Contepomi, Kieran Lewis, Gary Brown, Brendan Burke, James Norton, Robert Kearney, Eoghan Hickey, Girvan Dempsey.
Girvan Dempsey: form player.
