But the Leinster coach is employing the example of tennis to teach his side the value of taking nothing for granted.

"Stan Smith was serving at 5-4 for the Wimbledon final against John Newcombe and said he had started thinking about what he'd say in his acceptance speech," said Williams.

"It didn't turn out that way so I have tried to impress that on my players. Edinburgh Reivers, as we found out to our expense in the opening game, do not give up easily.

"We were probably the better team for 60 minutes and still they came back to beat us in the final quarter.

"Let's not forget either that they have several full Scottish internationals in their side.

"Part of the problem is that because Edinburgh Reivers are only a relatively new club people don't tend to rate them as highly.

"Even though we were probably the better team for 60 minutes, they never gave up and eventually they beat us."

Williams has named a formidable team for the penultimate European Cup group game with full-back Girvan Dempsey returning after suffering a leg injury in an international against South Africa.

Wing-forward Trevor Brennan replaces Eric Miller, who has been ruled out for six to eight weeks after breaking his right thumb in Leinster's warm-up game with Munster last weekend.

Brennan, who has been overlooked in recent times by Ireland coach Warren Gatland following last year's infamous brawl with Australian number eight Toutain Kefu, will give Leinster plenty of physical presence up front as they attempt to make it four wins on the trot.

"We're very lucky to be having someone of Trevor's experience," said Williams.

"Trevor's the heart and soul of the team and although he's had to contend with his fair share of injuries of late he's very capable of going through the 80 minutes."