Edinburgh, Gloucester, Leinster, Agen: Leinster have drawn one of the form sides in England in Dean Ryan's exciting, rebuilt cherry and whites, whose array of young backs include the young English outhalf of the future, Ryan Lamb, Anthony Allen and Jack Adams.
All are in form, and along with their hard-scrummaging pack and free-running backrowers, will relish tomorrow's Lansdowne Road challenge. Already that looks a make-or-break test for Leinster, who cannot afford a repeat of last season's opening defeat to Bath.
Edinburgh, with their blitz defence having conceded only four tries in six games, lurk as tailor-made trouble, even if their recycling rhythm can be overpowered by the bigger Euro boys, while under-firing Agen will be soft on the road but could have Fijian flyer Rupeni Caucaunibuca, once AWOL, back in harness for the meetings with Leinster.
Forecast: Leinster, chased home by Gloucester.
FIXTURES Tonight: Agen v Edinburgh (8.30). Saturday: Leinster v Gloucester (5.30). Oct 28th: Gloucester v Agen (3.0). Oct 29th: Edinburgh v Leinster (1.0). Dec 9th: Gloucester v Edinburgh (3.0); Leinster v Agen (5.30). Dec 16th: Agen v Leinster (4.30). Dec 17th: Edinburgh v Gloucester (1.0). Jan 12th-14th: Leinster v Edinburgh, Agen v Gloucester. Jan 19th-21st: Edinburgh v Agen, Gloucester v Leinster.
