Leinster travel to Glasgow in bid to ensure Heineken Cup progress

Leinster are in action away to Glasgow this afternoon, as Round 5 of the Heineken Cup continues.

A win will ensure Leinster’s progression through to the knock-out stages of the tournament.

Firhill is a venue where Leinster have struggled in the past, but Joe Schmidt’s side are unbeaten in their last 14 outings, the worst result in that run being a 16-16 draw away to Montpellier in their first Heineken Cup game of the season.

More impressive still is the manner in which Leinster have put sides to the sword. Both the Cardiff Blues and Bath leaked a staggering 52 points at the hands of les Bleus, whose strength in depth is such that the absence of talisman O’Driscoll has been virtually unnoticed.

Today represents an opportunity for the defending champions to lay down a marker against second-placed Glasgow.

Bath and Montpellier are tied on six points each, meaning one or both will be eliminated this weekend, opening up the possibility of Glasgow and Leinster facing weakened sides in their final group games with Bath more likely to offer some resistance in front of a home crowd.

Sexton and D’Arcy have overcome minor knocks to join a backline bursting with pace while both Kearney brothers will keep Leinster favourite, Isa Nacewa, company in the back three.

The action gets underway at 12:45pm.