Rugby/ Celtic League: It may sound trite, but Leinster's sole focus is tonight's game. Publicly the upcoming Heineken European Cup semi-final against Munster is embargoed, even in casual reference. No one epitomises this more than coach Michael Cheika.
All season long he has craved consistency of performance from his charges, something they have achieved only sporadically.
In mitigation, the Leinster players might reasonably point out that they lead the Celtic League so occasional failings are hardly catastrophic.
Squeaking a win away to the Border Reivers (35-34) is not a bad thing, no matter what way it's dressed up.
It offered a reality check in the post-Toulouse haze of euphoria, an opportunity to recalibrate several aspects of the province's performance. It also served to remind the public that Borders are not a bad team. Sixth in the table, they'll probably play in the European Cup next season.
They targeted Leinster's lineout patterns and did a fine job in denying the Irish side a platform. They also reminded their hosts of the importance of not alone tackling but also defending. Leinster's defensive line speed was pedestrian and short on aggression. Such lack of urgency won't suffice against Llanelli - never mind nine days' time.
It many respects Llanelli represent an ideal preparation for that European Cup semi-final. They are tough, uncompromising and very physical up front, and while missing their first-choice halfback combination can field a strong-running and pacy three-quarter line.
Their scrum, in the absence of a couple of players, won't be as attritional as it can be, but their set-piece play should be tidy.
Four of the back five - no disrespect to Vernon Cooper - are highly athletic, especially Alix Popham, arguably their outstanding forward. Any team would miss Simon Easterby but Daffyd Jones is a good player.
Dwayne Peel is still injured while coach Gareth Jenkins has elected to go with Ceiron Jones at outhalf ahead of Mike Hercus and Gareth Bowen.
In wings Daffyd James and Mark Jones, the Welsh side boasts an amalgam of power and blistering pace, while their New Zealand centre, Regan King, has been a superb playmaker all season. For good measure, Lee Byrne offers an intuitive counterattacking threat from fullback.
Cheika has deviated little from his policy of playing his strongest side whenever possible. The only concession this time is the decision to rest Shane Horgan and start Rob Kearney on the right wing.
Reggie Corrigan returns to the front row in place of Ronan McCormack, and Cameron Jowitt is back at blindside flanker as the pack takes familiar shape. Barring injuries, it's probably the eight that will start against Munster.
Gordon D'Arcy's return from injury is timely and, having been sidelined for the Borders match, he'll be looking to blow off a few cobwebs. Felipe Contepomi will probably go through his full repertoire of chips, flicks and sundry other feats of prestidigitation as he attempts to unleash those "natural-born predators", as the T-shirt proclaims.
In fairness to Cheika and David Knox, they have preached a heads-up philosophy all season, and Contepomi has adopted it with an evangelical zeal. That won't change for this game.
Cheika made the point that by virtue of Leinster's position at the top of the table all five remaining games are vitally important and also a singe entity.
With games in hand, Llanelli could yet be major players in the denouement to the Celtic League, and one suspects that they will strive mightily to win this match as it really frames what's left of their season: win and they can still chase the league, lose and that likelihood is compromised hugely.
Two teams with plenty to play for and the armoury to claim victory. It should be close.
Leinster v Llanelli
Lansdowne Road, 7.10
On TV: Setanta Sports
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; R Kearney, B O'Driscoll (capt), G D'Arcy, D Hickie; F Contepomi, G Easterby; R Corrigan, B Blaney, W Green; B Williams, M O'Kelly; C Jowitt, K Gleeson, J Heaslip. Replacements: E Byrne, D Blaney, N Ronan, E Miller, B O'Riordan, J Hepworth, K Lewis.
LLANELLI SCARLETS: L Byrne; D James (capt), M J Watkins, R King, M Jones; C Thomas, C Stuart-Smith; I Thomas, M Rees, C Dunlea; V Cooper, C Wyatt; D Jones, G Thomas, A Popham. Replacements: M Madden, A Gravelle, H Louw, G Quinnell, L Davies, G Bowen, B Davies.
Referee: Malcolm Changleng (Scotland).
Leading scorers: Leinster - Felipe Contepomi 221. Llanelli - Mike Hercus 62.
Leading try scorers: Leinster - Felipe Contepomi 7. Llanelli - Lee Byrne 4.
Verdict: Leinster to win.
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