Edinburgh head coach Alan Solomons has described Leinster as a "benchmark team in Europe" ahead of his side’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash against the league leaders on Saturday.

Leinster need just one point to guarantee a home play-off and two to ensure that they will finish top of the RaboDirect PRO12.

The defending champions have lost just one of their last 11 contests in the competition – 19-25 at Ospreys in round 19.

And the Leinstermen have not been defeated at the RDS in any competition since Ulster were the visitors for a RaboDirect PRO12 encounter in March 2013.

Edinburgh, by contrast, have slipped to four straight defeats in the league since their 23-19 victory against Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade in round 13.

Solomons’ side have been defeated on all four visits to Irish provinces in all tournaments in 2014.

And the Edinburgh boss admits it’s an intimidating way to end their season.

“Leinster are a benchmark team in Europe,” he said. “They are an outstanding side that is well balanced and play a physical game at a high tempo, complemented by some very talented individuals.

"They've got a huge depth of experience in their squad that's been built over a long time. They are bearing the fruits of the work that has been put in over the last ten years.

"It is a massive challenge to play them at home. We know what to expect and we have to gear ourselves appropriately, grit our teeth and put in a good performance."

Edinburgh actually won 11-6 when the two sides met at Murrayfield in round ten, and the Scotsmen are going for a first season's double over Leinster since 2003/04.

But Edinburgh have not won in Dublin since a trip to Donnybrook in November 2005.

In order to change that Solomons has made three changes from the side that lost 55-12 to Munster last time out.

Harry Leonard comes in to start his last game for the club at stand-off, while Sam Beard starts in place of Tom Brown and at lock, 22 year-old Ben Toolis makes his second start of the season.

For Leinster, coach Matt O'Connor has made eight changes in total from the game last Friday against Ulster – the most eye-catching of which sees Sean O'Brien makes his first appearance in the RaboDirect PRO12 since December.

Jordi Murphy and Jamie Heaslip complete the back row, Murphy coming in for one of last week's try scorers Shane Jennings.

The other changes in the pack sees a completely new front row as Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross all start.

Leo Cullen captains the side from the second row in place of Devin Toner with Mike McCarthy beside him and there are two changes to the backs with Rob Kearney making way for the returning Fergus McFadden – with Zane Kirchner starting at full-back.

The final change is a straight swap at out-half with Jimmy Gopperth coming in for his 27th Leinster cap.

And Brian O’Driscoll, who starts at centre, admits he’s already looking forward to life off the pitch once he retires – with a role at Leinster muted – although he concedes there’s still a job to be done.

"From my point of view it would be nice to have an involvement of some sort,” said O’Driscoll. “Nothing has been formally discussed, just briefly mentioned.

"From my end all I can say is that if I felt as though I could add value in some capacity to the club, I would love to and I'd be honoured to be still involved.”

At RDS Dublin, 6.30pm Live on TG4
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 39th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Peter Fitzgibbon, Kieran Barry (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)
TMO: Seamus Flannery (IRFU)