Cardiff Blues v Leinster: Guinness PRO12 preview
By Tony Tighe
Last Updated: 20/02/16 3:03pm
![Isa Nacewa is tackled by Kristian Dacey during Leinster's 23-15 win over Cardiff on September 12](https://e0.365dm.com/15/09/768x432/rugby-isa-nacewa-leinster_3350172.jpg?20150912191708)
Danny Wilson has called on his Cardiff Blues side to make home advantage count on Saturday when Leinster visit the Arms Park, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
The Blues have won just one of their last 18 fixtures with Leinster and head into their latest meeting on the back of a surprise defeat in Treviso.
However, Cardiff's home form provides crumbs of comfort. They are on a five-game winning streak at the Arms Park and head coach Wilson hopes they can extend that on Saturday.
"We enjoy the surface at home but it's also important we don't concede as many tries as we have at home," he said.
"It's a fast surface which makes it hard to defend and with Leinster here it should be an entertaining and open fixture.
"Our confidence on our home pitch is high; it's a surface where we have adapted our game and style to suit it. But we're playing against one of the best running teams out there so we know the challenge ahead.
"We want to keep the Arms Park as a real fortress and keep winning here. Hopefully we can use home advantage and our home crowd to get over the line."
Wilson restores four Wales internationals to his starting XV as Gareth Anscombe and Lloyd Williams form a new-look half-back pairing.
Alex Cuthbert returns to the wing while the inclusion of Josh Turnbull at blindside flanker is the only change to the pack.
Leinster are also boosted by the return of a number of internationals as they make eight changes to the team that whipped Zebre 52-0.
Ian Madigan and Eoin Reddan are named at half-back while Mick Kearney makes his Leinster debut. The lock has been sidelined with a toe injury since his summer move from Connacht.
Cian Healy, who this week signed a new IRFU contract, is partnered by fellow internationals Sean Cronin and Tadhg Furlong in the front row.
"This is one of the most critical parts of the season," said captain Isa Nacewa. "It's about getting the win first and foremost - that's it.
"Anything above that is great, but the table is tight and every point does make a difference here on out.
"One dropped game here, another dropped game there, and all of a sudden the whole top of the table changes."
Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhys Patchell, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Cory Allen, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Blaine Scully, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Lloyd Williams (c); 1 Thomas Davies, 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 James Down, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Ellis Jenkins, 8 Manoa Vosawai.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Bradley Thyer, 18 Taufa'ao Filise, 19 Macauley Cook, 20 Josh Navidi, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Tom James, 23 Dan Fish.
Leinster: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Ben Te'o, 11 Isa Nacewa (c), 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Eoin Reddan; 1 Cian Healy, 2 Sean Cronin, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Mick Kearney, 5 Hayden Triggs, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 7 Jordi Murphy, 8 Jack Conan.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Mike Ross, 19 Tom Denton, 20 Dan Leavy, 21 Nick McCarthy, 22 Noel Reid, 23 Adam Byrne.
Watch Cardiff Blues v Leinster live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday from 2.45pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.