Richard Cockerill has been denied the chance to register an extra prop (Elliot Millar-Mills or Jordan Lay) for European action which means that any injuries to props this week could even see the return leg next weekend feature uncontested scrums from very early on.
They face Stade Francais at BT Murrayfield in the knowledge that a decent win will net them a home quarter-final with a round to play. If Stade don’t turn up – Krasny-Yar have beaten them this season – Edinburgh should make short work of them but things are never quite that easy with the capital side.
It’s a strong team and having survived the full 80 last weekend, Mark Bennett will relish the open spaces and better surface of Murrayfield, hosting the game to spare the Myreside pitch. Phil Burleigh is injured so Bennett partners Chris Dean in the midfield.
Neutrals will be praying for a clean bill of health for, well, most of the pack.
Edinburgh Rugby: Blair Kinghorn; Damien Hoyland, Mark Bennett, Chris Dean, Duhan Van Der Merwe; Jaco van der Walt, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne; Rory Sutherland, Stuart McInally (c), Murray McCallum, Ben Toolis, Grant Gilchrist, Magnus Bradbury, Hamish Watson, Viliame Mata
Replacements: Neil Cochrane, Matt Shields, Kevin Bryce, Fraser McKenzie, Jamie Ritchie, Nathan Fowles, Darcy Graham, Junior Rasolea
Stade Français Paris: Tony Ensor; Romain Martial, Waisea Vuidarvuwalu, Jonathan Danty, Julien Arias; Jules Plisson, Charl McLeod; Heinke Van der Merwe, Laurent Panis, Paul Alo Emile, Paul Gabrillagues, Alexandre Flanquart (c), Mathieu De Giovanni, Matthieu Ugena, Sekou Macalou
Replacements: Craig Burden, Zurabi Zhvania, Giorgi Melikidze, Steevy Cerqueira, Bakary Meïte, Clement Daguin, Shane Geraghty, Jimmy Yobo
Friday, 12 January , kick off: 19:35, BT Murrayfield Stadium
Referee: Tom Foley (England)
Coverage on BBC Radio
Glasgow have far less interest in Europe now, so some of their key names are rested ahead of a tricky visit to Leinster who are now a far cry from the stuttering side Edinburgh failed to beat earlier in the season. At the start of the season this might have been seen as a pool decider, but Glasgow have long since put that idea to bed.
It gives plenty of encouragement to some of the young names who will fancy – and face – a real challenge. The two Matts Fagerson and Smith are in a young back row unit with Adam Ashe while Jamie Bhatti gets a chance to pack down against Tadgh Furlong. Something to prepare him for March possibly… Rob Harley captains the side from the second row.
Leinster have a strong team out and if Glasgow aren’t switched on, this could become more than just a battling away defeat. A strong performance is needed to earn a bit of respect if nothing else. Most of these players will get the chance to back it up again next week, perhaps minus the likes of Price and Huw Jones. Good to see George Turner back, a strong game from him should see him into the Six Nations squad.
Of more concern is the absence of Stuart Hogg, who is still shaking off the hip flexor injury he picked up before the Australia game. He now could have just the one game – another dead rubber, this time against Exeter – to get his match sharpness up going into Scotland camp.
Leinster: J Larmour; F McFadden, R Henshaw, I Nacewa (capt), J Lowe; J Sexton, L McGrath; J McGrath, S Cronin, T Furlong, D Toner, S Fardy, J Murphy, J van der Flier, J Conan.
Replacements: B Byrne, C Healy, A Porter, J Ryan, D Leavy, N McCarthy, R Byrne, R Kearney.
Glasgow: Ruaridh Jackson; Lee Jones, Huw Jones, Nick Grigg, Niko Matawalu; Pete Horne, Ali Price; Jamie Bhatti, George Turner, Siua Halanukonuka, Rob Harley (capt), Greg Peterson, Matt Fagerson, Matt Smith, Adam Ashe.
Replacements: Grant Stewart, Alex Allan, Darcy Rae, Kieran McDonald, Chris Fusaro, George Horne, Brandon Thomson, Henry Pyrgos.
Sunday, 13th January, kick off: 13:00, RDS
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
Coverage on Sky Sports
In case you were feeling good about life, here is the Warriors injured list:
Brian Alainu’uise (knee), Fraser Brown (head), Scott Cummings (hand), Alex Dunbar (knee), Zander Fagerson (foot), Callum Gibbins (achilles), Stuart Hogg (hip), Rory Hughes (shoulder), Sam Johnson (jaw), Pat MacArthur (shoulder), Lelia Masaga (knee), Leonardo Sarto (shoulder), Tommy Seymour (foot), Tim Swinson (hand) and Ryan Wilson (ankle).