Cardiff v Leinster: Teams
Sam Warburton will return from injury to skipper Cardiff Blues in their clash with RaboDirect PRO12 leaders Munster.
Last Updated: 06/01/12 3:38pm
Sam Warburton has shaken off an ankle injury to skipper Cardiff Blues in their clash with RaboDirect PRO12 leaders Munster on Saturday.
The Wales captain reclaims his spot at flanker in place of Josh Navidi after not featuring in the defeat to the Ospreys last time out.
There are four other changes in the pack as Michael Paterson comes into the second row to take the place of the injured Paul Tito.
In the front row, Gethin Jenkins comes in for John Yapp at prop and Marc Breeze is named at hooker in place of Ryan Tyrell.
In a late change, Macauley Cook is promoted from the bench to the second row to replace Bradley Davies, who has a sore back.
There are two further changes in the backs as Tom James mans the left wing instead of Alex Cuthbert, who misses the contest due to a minor groin injury.
Dan Parks starts at fly-half with Ceri Sweeney dropping to the bench.
Leinster are on a nine-match winning run in the competition and have included 12 Ireland internationals for their trip to the Welsh capital.
Head coach Joe Schmidt has rung the changes after the narrow New Year's Day victory over Connacht, with Jamie Heaslip captaining the side from No. 8.
Kevin McLaughlin partners Sean O'Brien and Heaslip in the back-row with Cian Healy lining up with Sean Cronin and Mike Ross in the front row.
Eoin Reddan forms a half-back partnership with Jonathan Sexton, while Gordon D'Arcy returns to the line up to partner Fergus McFadden at centre and Rob Kearney starts at full-back.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Gavin Henson, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Tom James, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 6 Maama Molitika, 5 Michael Paterson, 4 Macauley Cook, 3 Scott Andrews, 2 Marc Breeze, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Williams, 17 John Yapp, 18 Sam Hobbs, 19 Matthew Screech, 20 Josh Navidi, 21 Richie Rees, 22 Ceri Sweeney, 23 Richard Mustoe.
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Dave Kearney 13 Fergus McFadden, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Conway, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c), 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Damian Browne, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Aaron Dundon, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Jamie Hagan, 19 Rhys Ruddock, 20 Leo Auva'a, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Isa Nacewa, 23 Fionn Carr.
