Leinster have recalled number ten Jonathan Sexton to their starting XV to face Cardiff Blues at the RDS.
Ireland hopeful Sexton will partner Eoin Reddan for the visit of the Welsh in a back-line including Shane Horgan, who has been named alongside Luke Fitzgerald and Isa Nacewa.
Leo Cullen captains the team and lines up alongside Malcolm O'Kelly in a pack that includes South African prop CJ van der Linde who starts his first game of the season having appeared as a substitute in the province's last two games.
Cian Healy lines up alongside John Fogarty and van der Linde in the front row, with Nathan Hines, Bernard Jackman, Girvan Dempsey and Mike Ross named on a strong replacements bench.
Meanwhile, international call-ups have hampered the Blues in their selection for the Magners League clash.
Director of Rugby, David Young, has been forced to work without ten players this week including Leigh Halfpenny, Tom James, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Gethin Jenkins, Andy Powell and Martyn Williams, who are with Wales.
And with hookers T Rhys Thomas and Gareth Williams and openside Robin Sowden-Taylor injured, young hooker Rhys Williams makes his first start for the Blues, while Ben White also makes his first appearance of the season.
Form: Leinster are unbeaten in their last four matches with Cardiff Blues, whilst the Blues' most recent victory in Dublin was 22-18 at Donnybrook on 5 March 2004. Leinster's four game winning run in the Magners League came to a halt with the 14-16 reversal at Ulster on Friday. The Leinstermen have won their last eight matches at the RDS in the Magners League since Munster won there 19-0 in September 2008. Cardiff Blues have won two of their last three matches in the Magners League, but away from home have lost their last three fixtures in all competitions.
The teams:
Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Malcolm O'Kelly, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Fogarty, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Bernard Jackman, 17 Mike Ross, 18 Nathan Hines, 19 Stephen Keogh, 20 Simon Keogh, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Girvan Dempsey.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Richard Mustoe, 13 Gareth Thomas, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Chris Czekaj, 10 Sam Norton Knight, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Ben White, 6 Scott Morgan, 5 Paul Tito (capt), 4 Deiniol Jones, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 Rhys Williams, 1 Darren Morris.
Replacements: 16 Rhys James, 17 Gary Powell, 18 James Down, 19 Josh Navidi, 20 Darren Allinson, 21 Ceri Sweeney, 22 Dafydd James.
Date: Saturday, October 31
Kick-off: 18:30 GMT
Venue: RDS
Referee: James Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: David Wilkinson (Ireland), Richard Kerr (Ireland)
Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Assessor: Jack Young (Ireland)
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