Leinster Announce Team For Cardiff Clash

The Leinster team to face the Cardiff Blues in Saturday night’s Magners League game at the RDS (kick-off 7.30pm) has been named.

To watch an exclusive interview with Sean O’Brien from Leinster TV, please click here.

Leo Cullen returns from injury to captain the Leinster side and is included in a strong pack which also sees the return of CJ Van Der Linde from injury.

Cullen partners Devin Toner in the second row, while Sean O’Brien will start in the back row alongside Rocky Elsom and Jamie Heaslip.

In the back-line, Brian O’Driscoll is back to partner Felipe Contepomi at centre, with Shane Horgan starting on the right wing, Gordon D’Arcy moving to the left and Rob Kearney continuing at full-back.

Meanwhile, Ireland trio Girvan Dempsey, Luke Fitzgerald and Malcolm O’Kelly have been included on the Leinster replacements bench.

Almost 14,000 tickets have been sold for Leinster’s clash with Cardiff at the RDS. Tickets are still on sale from the usual outlets and can be purchased at the RDS from 5pm (on matchday).

LEINSTER (v Cardiff Blues): Rob Kearney; Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll, Felipe Contepomi, Gordon D’Arcy; Isa Nacewa, Chris Whitaker; Stan Wright, Brian Blaney, CJ Van Der Linde, Leo Cullen (capt), Devin Toner, Rocky Elsom, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: Ollie Le Roux, Cian Healy, Malcolm O’Kelly, Stephen Keogh, Chris Keane, Luke Fitzgerald, Girvan Dempsey.