Cardiff v Leinster: Teams

Nicky Robinson will make his 100th appearance for Cardiff Blues when they host Leinster at the Arms Park for Saturday's Magners League clash.

Robinson has been named to start at fly-half, meaning new signing Ceri Sweeney has to settle for a place on the bench, and in doing so will become only the second Blues player to reach the 100 game milestone.

"It's a nice milestone to reach," Robinson said.

"I've played at the Arms Park my whole career with Cardiff RFC and the Cardiff Blues so it's good to get my 100th game at home. I was hoping to reach the target last season but unfortunately I got injured.

As much as Robinson is delighted to reach 100 games he knows that Leinster will be in no mood to let him celebrate in style.

"It's a tough start for us and we always have tough matches against Leinster," he added.

"Obviously we'd like to improve on last year having finished second in the league again and we're all looking forward to getting the season underway having worked hard all summer."

There is also a welcome return to action for wing Chris Czekaj, who injured himself playing for Wales against Australia over a year ago. At one stage it was feared he would never play again, but he is now fit to return to action.

Unchanged

As expected Jamie Roberts gets the nod at inside centre, having impressed on Wales' tour to South Africa in the off-season. He will be partnered by fellow Welsh international Tom Shanklin.

For Leinster Isa Nacewa will make his competitive debut in an unchanged side from that which beat Queensland Reds last weekend.

Nacewa is named in a back-line that includes Brian O'Driscoll and Felipe Contepomi, who will resume their centre partnership.

In the pack Cameron Jowitt is named in a dynamic-looking back-row alongside Ireland internationals Shane Jennings and number eight Jamie Heaslip.

And Leinster scrum-half Chris Whitaker is raring to go - but is expecting a tough contest.

He said: "There's no doubting that the Cardiff game will be a big test. They have a good strong forward pack who are very physical, but they also have a lot of very fast and mobile backs that like to take the ball on.

"We can't afford to ease into the game because there will be a massive increase in terms of intensity from our three warm-up games."

Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Richard Mustoe, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Chris Czekaj, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Jason Spice, 8 Andy Powell, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Mamma Molitika, 5 Paul Tito (c), 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 Gareth Williams, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Gary Powell, 17 T. Rhys Thomas, 18 Scott Morgan, 19 Ben White, 20 Darren Allinson, 21 Ceri Sweeney, 22 Jamie Robinson.

Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Felipe Contepomi, 11 Rob Kearney, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Chris Whitaker (c), 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Cameron Jowitt, 5 Malcolm O'Kelly 4 Devin Toner, 3 Ronan McCormack, 2 Bernard Jackman, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 John Fogarty, 17 Stephen Knoop, 18 Trevor Hogan, 19 Sean O'Brien, 20 Chris Keane, 21 Luke Fitzgerald, 22 Girvan Dempsey.