Schmidt hasn't led his side in their domestic league since downing Cardiff 23-13 at Cardiff City Stadium, a tenth straight win in the competition, as Heineken Cup duties took over.

And as breaks go Leinster had an enjoyable one, beating Glasgow and Montpellier to finish top of their Pool and setting up a home quarter-final clash with Cardiff Blues for April.

But before they can even think about booking their spot in the final four, attentions turn back to domestic duties as they host Treviso at the RDS on Thursday night.

Leinster came away from Italy with a 30-20 win for their efforts but Schmidt insists he will be taking nothing for granted despite sitting pretty atop the league table.

"Treviso have won three times away and three times at home and each time they have won away it has been with pretty much the team they are going to bring on Thursday," Schmidt told the Leinster website.

"They won away at Ulster, away at Glasgow and away at Connacht so they are very much a formidable opposition.

"I think the win against Ulster was a really good effort and Ulster had a lot of their top guys available and they struggled in that match.

"And I think when they beat Glasgow it was the week after we lost to them so as far as challenges are concerned it is a good way to restart our PRO12 campaign and I think it will be a tough test."

One man in particular looking forward to the visit of Treviso is Colm O'Shea, the 21-year-old set to make his debut alongside Brendan Macken in the centres.

Isaac Boss and Ian Madigan link up at half-back while Kevin McLaughlin is back to lead the team after recovering from injury, named in a back-row alongside fellow Ireland international Shane Jennings as well as Leo Auva'a.

Heinke van der Merwe makes his 49th appearance for the province and the South African is joined by Richardt Strauss and Nathan White in the front row.

Treviso have one just once in the five previous meetings with Leinster in the league, coming in September 2010, and head to Ireland having won just once of their last six games.

However, they have won in the Emerald Isle twice already this season, beating Ulster 23-12 and Connacht 15-13, but if the are to make it three they will do so without some key figureheads.

Coach Franco Smith is without several players on Six Nations duty with Italy but does have Gonzalo Garcia back, fit enough for a spot on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery.

Treviso's half-backs are Alberto Di Bernardo and Alberto Chillon - the Petrarca Padova's scrum-half who already played for Benetton Treviso at the beginning of this season.

Meanwhile, Benjamin De Jager returns on the wing having recovered from a chest injury and Francesco Minto is back in at lock having been disqualified in December.

Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 12th competition game)
Assistant Referees:Mark Patton, Richard Kerr (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner : JohnWest (IRFU)
TMO: Alan Rogan (IRFU)

Live on RTE Sport.