Leinster and Glasgow Warriors could not be separated the last time the two teams met and the Scottish side’s head coach, Gregor Townsend, expects another battle at the RDS Arena on Friday night. The GUINNESS PRO12 contest between the clubs in March ended as a 34-34 draw and the corresponding fixture at Scotstoun Stadium in September was decided by just two points, with the Warriors emerging victorious. Glasgow are currently just a point above Leinster in the GUINNESS PRO12 table, after two wins apiece, and Townsend is expecting another tight encounter. Townsend said: “We were pleased to get back to winning ways last weekend and we're looking forward to the trip to face Leinster. “We've been boosted by the return of some players from the Rugby World Cup, so competition for places has increased. It's important that we utilise our squad with 15 back-to-back games up until the beginning of February. "We've had some great battles with Leinster over the years and we're expecting another one tomorrow night.” All four of Leinster's matches in the GUINNESS PRO12 this season have been won by the home side on the day. The Leinstermen's only defeat at the RDS Arena in their last 33 matches in all competitions was a 16-14 loss to Newport Gwent Dragons in the GUINNESS PRO12 on February 15. Glasgow Warriors gained their first maximum points victory this campaign with their 29-15 win over Dragons last Friday. The Warriors have won just one of their last five away games in the competition, which was the 31-13 victory at Connacht in April. Glasgow's only previous success on Leinster soil in any competition was the 23-19 win in September 2011. Six players return to the Glasgow squad having featured for Scotland at the Rugby World Cup, with Sean Lamont, Richie Vernon, Duncan Weir, Tim Swinson, Ryan Wilson and Kevin Bryce all included. Lamont is at full-back, Vernon replaces the injured Alex Dunbar, while Weir and Mike Blair are the half-back pairing. Wilson is back at No. 8 and Scotland hooker Bryce has been named amongst the replacements, along with Rory Clegg, who could make his final appearance for the Warriors before moving to France. As for Leinster, head coach Leo Cullen has made seven changes to the starting line-up which lost away to the Scarlets last weekend. Ireland World Cup players Mike McCarthy and Rhys Ruddock are named in the XV, as are Ben Te'o and Jack Conan who have shaken off calf and ankle knocks respectively. Fellow Irish internationals Michael Bent and Marty Moore are the props, while Aaron Dundon comes back into the side at hooker. Among the replacements, Tadhg Furlong is in line to make his first appearance of the season for Leinster after appearing against Romania in the World Cup. Isaac Boss was called up by Ireland after the Scarlets game last Friday following the withdrawal of Jared Payne and he is back in the Leinster squad as a replacement. At RDS Arena, 7.45pm. Live on Sky Sports Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 36th competition game) Assistant Referees: Leo Colgan, Olly Hodges (both IRFU) Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU) TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)
