Leinster braced for massive Cardiff effort

If Cardiff turn up as ragged as they did a few months ago in the RDS, Leinster will run riot again. That was the night Brian O’Driscoll showed flashes of his old self before rolling an ankle and hobbling off the field. But it didn’t stop Joe Schmidt’s side running in 59 points – a tally no side has equalled this season.

Leo Cullen leads a team in which Ian Madigan partners Ireland international Isaac Boss at half-back with Andrew Goodman lining up at centre alongside Brendan Macken.

Out wide Andrew Conway is joined by Darren Hudson who makes just his eighth senior appearance and Dave Kearney, who starts at full-back.

Flanker Dominic Ryan makes his third appearance after an injury interrupted season and he completes an exciting back-row alongside Shane Jennings and Jordi Murphy. Jack McGrath is rewarded with a start in the front row with hooker Aaron Dundon and prop Michael Bent.

Cardiff have won their last two league games against Dragons and Munster, while Leinster have won four straight matches in all competitions since losing 19-27 to Ulster at Ravenhill on December 21st . “Tomorrow’s game has a bit of pride attached to what we have to deliver,” said Cardiff director of rugby Phil Davies. “In Dublin it was not a good performance . . . we got hammered. I didn’t enjoy that. I didn’t enjoy the game . . .We have to lay a strong marker down onFriday.”