The Leinster team to face the Cardiff Blues in Saturday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final has been named and shows a number of changes from the side who defeated Munster 18-9 last weekend.
Leo Cullen is back to captain the side and partners Brad Thorn at second row, with Sean O’Brien coming into the back-row alongside Kevin McLaughlin and number eight Jamie Heaslip.
The backline is unchanged with Eoin Reddan partnering Jonathan Sexton – who has amassed 300 points in 27 European appearances to date - at half back.
Fellow Ireland international Gordon D’Arcy forms the midfield partnership with Brian O’Driscoll for the 68th time in Leinster colours, while Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney and Isa Nacewa complete the back three.
South African loose-head prop Heinke van der Merwe is named alongside five Ireland internationals on the bench including the likes of Sean Cronin, Shane Jennings and Fergus McFadden.
Leinster team to play Cardiff Blues in Saturday’s Heineken Cup quarter final in the Aviva Stadium at 5.45pm:
Rob Kearney, Isa Nacewa, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan, Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Leo Cullen, Brad Thorn, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Heinke van der Merwe, Nathan White, Devin Toner, Shane Jennings, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden
