Leinster coach Michael Cheika has made nine personnel changes and one positional ahead of the final Magners League game before the November internationals, as he looks to his key men to propel the side back to the top of the table.
Six of the seven backs to face Cardiff at the RDS tomorrow evening (6.30pm) were named in Declan Kidney’s Ireland squad this week.
Eoin Reddan partners Jonathan Sexton in the halfbacks, while Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy form the central pairing.
Shane Horgan and Luke Fitzgerald are on the wings, either side of fullback Isa Nacewa, who moves from the left wing. Rob Kearney is rested after he picked up a minor knock in training.
It's all change in the frontrow as CJ Van der Linde joins John Fogarty and Cian Healy, while captain Leo Cullen and Malcolm O’Kelly are named in the secondrow in place of Devin Toner and Nathan Hines.
The backrow remains the same with flankers Seán O’Brien and Kevin McLaughlin, joining number eight Jamie Heaslip.
Leinster could go top of the league with a fifth win of the campaign if Ulster fail to take maximum points against Munster at Thomond Park tomorrow.
Leinster: Isa Nacewa; Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, John Fogarty, CJ van der Linde; Leo Cullen (capt), Malcolm O'Kelly; Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements:Bernard Jackman, Mike Ross, Nathan Hines, Stephen Keogh, Simon Keogh, Shaun Berne, Girvan Dempsey
Cardiff Blues:Ben Blair; Richard Mustoe, Gareth Thomas, Gavin Evans, Chris Czekaj, Sam Norton Knight; Richie Rees; Darren Morris, Rhys Williams, Tufa'ao Filise; Deiniol Jones, Paul Tito (captain); Scott Morgan, Ben White, Xavier Rush. Replacements:Rhys James, Gary Powell, James Down, Josh Navidi, Darren Allinson, Ceri Sweeney, Dafydd James
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