Preview: Cardiff Blues v Leinster
Cardiff Blues back-row Andy Powell will be on the bench when the Blues take on Heineken Cup champions Leinster this Sunday.
Cardiff Blues back-row Andy Powell will be on the bench when the Blues take on Heineken Cup champions Leinster this Sunday.
David Young has named a strong team with only two changes from the side that beat Glasgow 30-7 at Firhill. Scott Morgan starts at lock in place of Deiniol Jones, while Sam Warburton returns from Wales duty and starts at number seven.
“Our last three home matches in the Magners League are against Irish opposition, starting with Leinster, followed by Ulster at the end of the month and Munster in May,” said Young, speaking ahead of the match.
“We know all of these matches will be tough challenges with Irish rugby on a high following last season's achievements. So we know we have a difficult run in, starting with Sunday's game.
“While our Cup form has been good this season our Magners League form has not been up to standard.
“With only a few games left in the League and important qualification for the Heineken Cup at stake, every point is important for us.
“Obviously we were all pleased with our last League performance and result with our win up in Glasgow.
“We completely dominated the game and with 10 minutes left we were 30-0 up, having scored three tries.
“Our record against Glasgow has not been brilliant, having not won there since 2005, so perhaps it is greedy to have wanted a bonus point.”
Meanwhile, Leinster are boosted by the return from Ireland duty of Shane Jennings and Eoin Reddan, who are included in the starting line-up.
Jennings forms a back-row unit which includes Kevin McLaughlin and Stephen Keogh, with Malcolm O'Kelly locking down alongside Devin Toner.
CJ van der Linde starts at tighthead prop in a front-row which includes Bernard Jackman and Stan Wright.
Reddan partners Shaun Berne at half-back, with Isa Nacewa named on the left wing in a back-three alongside the experienced Girvan Dempsey and 18-year-old Andrew Conway who comes in for his first senior start for the province on the right wing.
Ireland U20 captain Rhys Ruddock is named amongst the replacements alongside the likes of Ireland internationals Trevor Hogan and Mike Ross.
Form: The Blues are winless in their last five encounters with Leinster since their 27-11 victory at the Arms Park on 11 May 2007. Cardiff Blues have won their last five matches in all competitions since Edinburgh beat them 21-12 at Murrayfield in the Magners League on 9 January. No Irish side has beaten the Blues in Cardiff since Leinster did so at the Arms Park in the Magners League on 28 September 2007. Leinster are unbeaten in their last six games since the 14-30 loss at Newport Gwent Dragons in the Magners League on 6 December. The Irishmen have not won on the road in the Magners League since 26 September.
The teams:
Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Tom James, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tom Shanklin, 11 Chris Czekaj, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Gareth Cooper, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Maama Molitika, 5 Paul Tito (capt), 4 Scott Morgan, 3 Gary Powell, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 Taufa'ao Filise.
Replacements: 16 Huw Dowden, 17 Scott Andrews, 18 Andries Pretorius, 19 Andy Powell, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 Sam Norton-Knight, 22 Dafydd Hewitt.
Leinster: 15 Girvan Dempsey, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Eoin O'Malley, 12 Fergus McFadden, 11 Isa Nacewa, 10 Shaun Berne, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Stephen Keogh, 7 Shane Jennings (capt), 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Malcolm O'Kelly, 4 Devin Toner, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Bernard Jackman, 1 Stan Wright.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Mike Ross, 18 Trevor Hogan, 19 Rhys Ruddock, 20 Paul O'Donohoe, 21 Ian Madigan, 22 Simon Keogh.
Date: Sunday, March 7
Kick-off: 16:00
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Referee: Andy Macpherson (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Leighton Hodges (WRU), Phil Connett (WRU)
TMO: Hugh Watkins (WRU)