Joe Schmidt admits improvements must be made on the pitch if Leinster are to maintain their resurgence in the RaboDirect PRO12 against Edinburgh on Saturday. After a round one defeat to Scarlets, Leinster have picked up victories over Newport Gwent Dragons and Treviso – but they needed a last-gasp drop goal from Jonathan Sexton to come away from Italy with the points last weekend. Edinburgh also lost their first match – to Munster – but have also collected two wins since, seeing off Cardiff Blues in Wales before an emphatic win over Zebre at Murrayfield last weekend. History appears to favour Leinster – they are undefeated in their last six matches with Scottish sides while Edinburgh have lost their last eight games against Irish opposition. And Leinster have won five of their last six clashes with Edinburgh. But Schmidt is only too aware of the threat last year’s Heineken Cup semi-finalists pose, highlighting fly-half Greig Laidlaw as the danger man. Schmidt said: “The Treviso game was a real test – as we knew it would be. “The players stuck to their task and ground out a good win against a combative and well-coached Treviso side. “This week’s test will be a big one because we saw last year, in their fine run to the semi finals of the Heineken Cup, how good a side Edinburgh are becoming. “And this year they seem to have improved further with greater strength in depth across the park. Greig Laidlaw controls the game for them astutely. “Having already recorded an away victory over Cardiff Blues this year, they will travel to Dublin this weekend with confidence and we’re well aware of their many threats. It’ll be another big challenge for us and we’ll need to be more coordinated than last weekend.” Leo Cullen skippers a side which shows several changes to the one which beat Treviso, up front Sean Cronin comes into the front row in place of Richardt Strauss and he will line up alongside international colleagues Cian Healy, who makes his 98th Leinster appearance, and Mike Ross. Cullen partners Tom Denton who will make his home debut for the province, while Gordon D’Arcy makes his first start of the season and Isa Nacewa returns to the starting line-up in the back three alongside Fionn Carr and Andrew Conway. Edinburgh meanwhile, have made just three changes to the side that eased past Zebre last time out with Michael Bradley choosing to rest Tim Visser with Tom Brown now back to full fitness. In the pack Geoff Cross returns at prop while flanker Roddy Grant also gets the nod as Bradley takes an Edinburgh side full of confidence to Dublin. “We’re going into this game with a lot of confidence and a degree of excitement in terms of the possibility of what we can achieve,” added Bradley. “There’s a lot to build on from our first three games, having played well in a number of key areas. “Leinster have consistently been the in-form side in northern hemisphere rugby, winning three Heineken Cups and finishing in the top three of the RaboDirect PRO12 for the past eight years, narrowly missing out on the league title at the RDS last season. “They’re a quality side through and through and, because of that, our players will find this game an exciting challenge. “I’ve been impressed by the willingness to be meticulous in our preparations and go the extra mile this season. We will be well-prepared to face Leinster in Dublin.” At RDS, Dublin, 6.15pm. Referee: Neil Hennessy ((WRU, 11th competition game) Assistant Referees: Simon McDowell, Richard Kerr (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Peter Ferguson (IRFU) TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU) Live on RTE Sport and BBC ALBA
