O'Meara to start for Leinster on Saturday

Declan Kidney had sprung a few minor selection surprises for Leinster's opening Heineken Cup encounter with Benetton Treviso in Italy on Saturday.

Admittedly, Aidan McCullen's preferrence on the blindside may owe something to Eric Miller's neck strain.

But, McCullen has been in outstanding form in the Celtic League.

If Miller does prove his fitness, he will take a place on the bench ahead of Des Dillon.

Scrum-half Brian O'Meara and tight head prop Emmet Byrne have seen off strong challenges from Guy Easterby and Ricky Nebbett.

It looks as though the import of the new players has had a positive effect on the incumbents.

Regular Gary Brown has lost out to Shane Horgan for the right wing slot.

Horgan's physical attributes and greater experience were deemed more crucial than Brown's speed and try-scoring record.

LEINSTER (v Treviso): G Dempsey; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, D Hickie; D Holwell, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (Capt), S Byrne, E Byrne, L Cullen, M O'Kelly, A McCullen, S Jennings, V Costello.

Replacements: R Nebbett, G Hickie, B Gissing, E Miller / D Dillon, G Easterby, F Contepomi, G Brown.