Welcome to our live coverage of Leinster’s final pool game in this season’s Heineken Cup.

News from the RDS – Jonny Sexton won’t play despite being included in Schmidt’s team earlier this week. Ian Madigan replaces him at ten.

Leinster: Rob Kearney; Fergus McFadden, Eoin O’Malley, Gordon D’Arcy, Isa Nacewa; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Jamie Hagan; Leo Cullen, Damian Browne, Rhys Ruddock, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip.

Montpellier: J-B Peyras Loustalet; Timoci Nagusa, Yoan Audrin, Paul Bosch, Martin Bustos Moyano; Francois Trinh-Duc, Julien Tomas; Na’ama Leleimalefaga, Agustin Creevy, George Jgenti; Drickus Hancke, Mickael Demarco; Fulgence Ouedraogo, Mamuka Gorgodze, Alex Tulou.

We’ve seen two shock results already this weekend. Should Leinster avoid another one (ie defeat or a draw), then they will guarantee themselves a home quarter-final fixture. And that is what it’s all about at this stage of the competition.

Another fantastic crowd at the RDS. They will see a cracking game of rugby, given that Montpellier have opted for a strong line-up. Stronger, perhaps, than might have been expected by Joe Schmidt.

Neil Paterson is our match referee. A big day for Ian Madigan.

Early pressure from Leinster ends with a knock on and a Montpellier scrum. Some fierce tackling from the French in the opening passage of play.

French international Francois Trinh-Duc has his kick blocked down by Leo Cullen of all people. The lock clearly means business, the crowd are delighted, while the number ten is a little riled.

Leinster – and particularly Jamie Hagan – do well in the opening scrums. They’re facing several monsters in the opposite row today and needed to start on the front foot.

TRY LEINSTER! It’s been all the home side so far – only their own handling errors halting a score before now. It’s Sean O’Brien who gets the vital touch down but the hard work was down to the entire pack, particularly Cullen and Isaac Boss.

CONVERSION LEINSTER. Fergus McFadden was always going to be kicking today, even before Sexton’s withdrawal, and with Boss holding on to the ball, he extends Leinster’s advantage.

PENALTY LEINSTER: McFadden splits the posts with a penalty after a huge tackle on Gorgodze sees the Montpellier backrow concede possession and allow Cian Healy away. The visitors are eventually penalised and it’s another three points for Leinster.

TRY LEINSTER: A superb try from Rob Kearney. Trinh-Duc sends the ball too far with his re-start and quick ball from the resulting scrum see Boss, Gordon D’Arcy and Kearney combine to allow the latter race away. McFadden converts and we’re halfway to a bonus-point win with 18 minutes on the clock…

Better from Montpellier. Mamuka Gorgodze’s final drive at Leinster’s line is judged to have been held up by the referee, but a real sign that the champions will have to keep focused throughout this encounter.

Gorgodze is almost over again in spite of intense defending from Leinster. Replays show the final move to be inconclusive though and it’s another Montpellier scrum.

Cian Healy takes a deserved moment’s rest after another incredible effort from the Leinster defensive line. Gorgodze seems determined to score but  the ball is held up again. Another attacking scrum.

Lock Damian Browne is shown yellow for coming in at the side of a ruck. The referee tells Cullen that his team were warned and the Montpellier attack will continue with another scrum and an extra man. Nacewa joins the pack for the set piece…

Leinster survive a HUGE test. Down to 14 and under pressure on their own line from the Montpellier pack, Leinster turn over vital ball. Montpellier get nothing from a sustained period with hands on the ball and it will surely affect their motivation.

Jonny Sexton acts as water boy for the day. Leinster decided that his ankle hadn’t recovered sufficiently to risk him today and their decision has proved wise so far – as McFadden has been immaculate in his kicking duties.

PENALTY LEINSTER: Browne returns to the field – much to Nacewa’s delight no doubt – as Leinster make their way back down to the Montpellier half, earning themselves a penalty in the process. Another solid kick from McFadden.

HALF TIME: Leinster will be happy heading to the dressing rooms. They are well ahead and two tries up, having survived some serious questions on their own line.

Montpellier, on the other hand, will wonder how they didn’t manage to score and why they are so far behind.

Malouda strikes but it comes off Lukaku.

The action is back underway at the RDS.

TRY LEINSTER: What a start to the second half! Leinster break forward through Nacewa and D’Arcy and after considerable forward power on the Montpellier line, it’s Cian Healy who gets the ball to ground. McFadden’s conversion effort is well to the left and wide, though it was from a tricky sideline position.

Mike Ross is on for Jamie Hagan and the prop is crucial as Leinster win the first second-half try in impressive fashion.

A worry for Leinster as Cian Healy is replaced, clearly in some discomfort as he leaves the pitch. Heinke Van Der Merwe comes into the front row. Ireland boss Declan Kidney will no doubt be more concerned than Schmidt at this stage of the year.

Rob Kearney is inches away from getting his second try of the day but is held up just short. It’s still a scrum to Leinster as both teams opt to make changes.

Eoin Reddan is on – for his 50th Heineken Cup cap. Jamie Heaslip also reached a similar honour today.

The flow of the game has, understandably, been interrupted by the raft of replacements at this stage. Leinster will still be anxious to try and secure the bonus point though, given it will secure top seeding for them.

PENALTY MONTPELLIER: Still on zero after 67 minutes, wing Martin Bustos Moyano opts to kick for the posts after being awarded a penalty in the Leinster half. Scant reward for their efforts today but it’s about pride at this stage.

A burst of pace from Sean Cronin gets the home crowd excited but it’s short lived as Montpellier snuff out the attack. Both Munster and Ulster could surpass their Irish rivals for top spot should Leinster not get a fourth try here…

More good work from Cronin keeps Leinster hopes of a bonus point alive. With Montpellier in possession, the hooker gets to the break down first, stays on his feet and earns a penalty for his side.

FULL TIME: Neil Paterson blows the final whistle. Leinster have earned themselves a home quarter-final but fail to get the extra bonus point. They will be seeded first or second in the next stage, depending on what Munster do later today.

Leinster were well worth their win considering the changes made and the absence of Jonny Sexton. The biggest worry will, perhaps, be the injury picked up by Cian Healy and no side will face a trip to Dublin in the next round.

That’s it for our live coverage from the RDS. Next up: Ulster followed by Munster!