A tough start as Leinster's latest odyssey begins

Racing sit second in the domestic table and turn towards this heavyweight tussle having recorded five wins on the trot and with an average of 40 points scored in those games

BEEF EATER: Jason Jenkins - the South African was brought in from Munster to allow Leinster meet beef with beef and the initial signs are good. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

The sporting gods like their fun. What, they must have wondered, could they do to play with Leinster’s minds after that last-ditch defeat to La Rochelle in the final of the Heineken Champions Cup last May? How best could they meddle with that lengthening quest for a fifth star?

Make them play another of those big, bad French sides on their first game back. In France. Against one of the few Top 14 teams that really, truly crave this trophy. A club with a grudge against them for a traumatic loss. Then deprive them of their two key players. And mess with their travel plans.