Leo Cullen says he's keeping an open mind around selection for the Investec Champions Cup final later this month, and has challenged his squad to use their next two games as an opportunity to impress.
The province turn their attention back towards the BKT United Rugby Championship this evening, with the Ospreys visiting the RDS, in a game that has play-off ramifications for both sides.
The Leinster coach has largely stuck with the same group of players that featured in last weekend's Champions Cup semi-final win against Northampton Saints, with Will Connors brought into the starting team, while Michael Milne, Thomas Clarkson, Charlie Ngatai and Tommy O'Brien are drafted onto the bench
And Cullen says there's still time for those players to catch his eye in the next two games.
"It would be unfair for me to even have a fixed view on that, because things will happen tomorrow that will have to be judged on what is taking place," he said.
"The form of how guys are training, there is always different little bits going on in the background, body management and loads and stuff. It all feeds in, and you want to have an open mind for guys so they have a genuine window, a genuine opportunity.
"Clearly some level of opinion has been formed over time for us [coaches], but when guys go out there, you want to reward the guys who are in form and playing well based on not too far historically, because it is based on who is going to deliver in the here and now."
One of those players keen to impress will be Will Connors (above).
The flanker hasn't played since starting in the Champions Cup quarter-final win over La Rochelle last month, with the 28-year-old rested while the second-string squad traveled to South Africa, before missing out on selection against the Saints a week ago.
Connors started ahead of Josh van der Flier against La Rochelle in a horses-for-courses selection, with the Ireland international's chop-tackle seen as a big weapon to combat the French side's powerful ball-carriers.
Toulouse have similarly large carriers in their forwards pack, and Cullen may lean into his skillset in two weeks' time.
Having not played since that quarter-final four weeks ago, the Leinster coach wants to see his openside flanker catch the eye at the RDS this evening.
"Just to try impose himself on the game is probably the big thing.
"He was hugely unlucky to miss out on the game [against Northampton]. The challenge is when you're away in South Africa you bring limited players, then you're trying to foresee how some of those games are going to unfold.
"He has lots of parts to his game, and that's the thig for all the players, they need to understand what's their point of difference, what's going to give them the nod ahead of other players when it comes to the big day?
"As coaches you're looking to put together a plan based on your own team's strengths but every week you have a different opponent, and they'll present different pictures, different challenges and opportunities. You're making sure you try to marry up your best group against whatever that opposition is on a given day.
"One thing that stands out is his ability to get big guys on the ground very, very quickly, as a chop-tackler. You want players to play to their strengths, but you don't want to pigeon hole them either," he added.
James Lowe and Joe McCarthy are the only two of last week's starting side that aren't involved this evening against the Ospreys, as Leinster look to get back on track in the URC following their two heavy defeats on tour in South Africa.
The province trail leaders Glasgow Warriors by four points, while third place Munster are breathing down their necks, with the defending champions now just a point back from Leinster.
The Ospreys are tenth in the table, but Toby Booth's side are very much in the play-off and Champions Cup qualification race.
And Cullen says Leinster can't underestimate the Welsh side, who pulled off a major shock last month when they defeated the Stormers in Cape Town.
"You get to this point of the season, the Ospreys want to play in the Champions Cup and make the play-offs.
"There's so much there for them in the game. Do we understand that? They've a lot of experience, Welsh international players. They're a pretty cohesive group, well-coached, good attention to detail around some of the basics and the set-piece in particular. They'll be a right handful.
"What do we want to see? We want to see us improving on what we delivered last week. You want to go a level up all the time.
"The Ospreys had last week [off], probably looking at footage of Leinster, getting ready for this game and they've had a head start.
"It's a big game, there's an emotional comedown but you need to turn the page quite quickly this week. If you don't, then you go back to something that happens like the Lions [defeat].
"We need to take our opportunities. It sounds simple, but can be quite hard at times. The guys understand they need to put in a performance and get as many points as we possibly can from the game for the other challenges that are coming ahead.
"Back to back URC games, we've a final to look ahead to and then Connacht and you know what Connacht will be doing. They'll be getting ready all that week.
"I'm sure they'll be scrapping for places, so it's singular focused teams. That's the amazing challenge and why we have done certain things along the way," Cullen said.
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
