Chance to prove the boys are really back

Rugby/Leinster V Biarritz: Forget about the administrative howlers, the bungling and, for the time being, who's to blame for the fact that the gifted Argentinian will almost certainly be sitting out six pool matches. Don't be distracted by the soul-baring remorse or the legal avenues Leinster explored all week in a bid to salvage an 11th-hour reprieve.

The only thing that should remotely concern those who come to watch Gary Ella's charges - cash will be taken at the turnstiles - is how the team fare when they stare down Biarritz Olympique in the opening game of this season's European Cup.

This match will speak volumes about the character of this Leinster team. Despite claims that the players have been inured to the distraction of the off-pitch paper chase, it won't have escaped their notice that the guy who played so well in last weekend's Celtic League match is the same fella that's now looking for directions to Carlow.

Opposing them is a side they only beat narrowly in last season's quarter-final at today's venue. Losing simply isn't an option. Teams which make the play-offs win their home games and manage to nick the odd success on foreign soil: this year the accepted guide to the knock-out stages has an important appendix - bonus points.

Teams will be hoping not only to win at home but also to score four tries and thereby chalk up an extra point in the process, while on their travels they will aim to lose by fewer than seven to gain another precious point.

Biarritz are arguably Leinster's toughest challengers in the pool and, in some respects, had this game been in the south of France there would have been less pressure on Ella's squad.

In tandem with his assistant, Willie Anderson, Ella has engineered fresh patterns or, perhaps more accurately, parameters of play. The Australian is keen that players think for themselves and have a direct input into the gameplan. It's about consultation and responsibility; it calls for maturity and clarity of purpose from those who take the pitch.

Injuries have also weakened Leinster. The absence of Denis Hickie, Leo Cullen and promising young players like Kieran Lewis, John Lyne, James Norton and Niall Treston will render any further medical mishaps extremely punitive.

The team can't afford to dwell on colleagues' misfortunes. The three-quarter line is endowed with pace and physique and under Ella's baton it is reasonable to assume John McWeeney and Gordon D'Arcy will see plenty of possession. Girvan Dempsey must attack.

Brian O'Driscoll excelled in his last outing and forms the perfect foil for the more direct Shane Horgan, but the key to the Leinster backline is Christian Warner. The Australian is an excellent footballer; today he must prove he's an excellent outhalf.

Warner hasn't received the credit his ability or performances, by and large, merit. He was superb at inside centre in a second-half cameo last week against the Ospreys, but because of Contepomi's enforced absence must wear the number 10 jersey. His one weakness is the lack of an assured kicking game.

It's difficult to throw the ball from touchline to touchline for the whole match, often simpler to open the door than smash it to smithereens. He'll have to vary his game and so communication with scrumhalf Brian O'Meara must be crystal clear.

Up front, where, if forwards are to be believed, all games are won and lost, Leinster boast an experienced pack - with possibly two exceptions. Injuries and retirements have granted Peter Coyle an opportunity. A laid-back attitude can't always conceal that Coyle could be a bit of a player. He knows it, and today has a chance to prove it.

Ben Gissing, the 28-year-old second row from Auckland, New Zealand, makes the starting XV having claimed Cullen's place from the beginning of the season. He was unhappy at missing out on the big occasions last season and now gets an opportunity. Both he and Malcolm O'Kelly realise that Aidan Kearney has this season started to deliver on his ability.

Biarritz, missing Serge Betsen through suspension, will be tough and uncompromising up front, talented at halfback and dangerous in the back three.

The manner of last season's semi-final defeat should still rankle with the Leinster players. It certainly does with some supporters. What's been a difficult week should end on a high note.

LEINSTER LIONS: G Dempsey; J McWeeney, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; C Warner, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, P Coyle, B Gissing, M O'Kelly, E Miller, V Costello, K Gleeson.

BIARRITZ OLYMPIQUE: N Brusque; P Bernat-Salles, G Bousses, M Stcherbina, P Bidabe; J Peyrelongue, D Yachvili; P Balan, J-M Gonzalez, D Avril, D Couzinet, J Thion, O Tonita, O Nauroy, C Milheres.

Referee: D Pearson (England).

VERDICT: Leinster.