Van der Linde is picked in Leinster XV
Friday, 30 October 2009 13:09Jonathan Sexton will partner Eoin Reddan at half-back for Leinster for the visit of the Cardiff Blues.
The backline also includes Shane Horgan, who has been named on the wing in a back three that also includes Luke Fitzgerald and Isa Nacewa, who will play at full-back. Rob Kearney is not named in the squad with Girvan Dempsey taking a spot on the bench.
Gordon D'Arcy continues at inside centre alongside Brian O'Driscoll.
In the forwards, Leo Cullen will captain the side and he lines up alongside Malcolm O'Kelly in the second row 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 and John Fogarty are the other front rowers and With Shane Jennings still suspended, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip are the back-row trio.
Nathan Hines, Mike Ross and Bernard Jackman are among those named on a strong replacements bench.
LEINSTER team to play Cardiff Blues in the Magners League at the RDS on Saturday 31 October (6.30pm):
15: Isa Nacewa
14: Shane Horgan
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan
1: Cian Healy
2: John Fogarty
3: CJ van der Linde
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Malcolm O'Kelly
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Sean O'Brien
8: Jamie Heaslip
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Bernard Jackman
17: Mike Ross
18: Nathan Hines
19: Stephen Keogh
20: Simon Keogh
21: Shaun Berne
22: Girvan Dempsey
