Cheika names strong squad to face Cardiff

LEINSTER COACH Michael Cheika has announced a relatively strong 25-man squad for Sunday’s Magners League game against the Blues in Cardiff despite the constraints imposed regarding international players during the Six Nations calendar.

Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Jonathan Sexton, Cian Healy and Jamie Heaslip started against England and are not available as a result. Leo Cullen and Shane Jennings came on as replacements at Twickenham with the latter available to Cheika and likely to lead Leinster on Sunday. Cullen – he has recently had an ankle strain – is rested while scrumhalf Eoin Reddan, who sat on the bench in London, will get game time in Cardiff.

Wing Shane Horgan and hooker John Fogarty are nursing minor knocks and Rob Kearney is rehabilitating a knee injury sustained against France. This allows Cheika an opportunity to include academy players like Andrew Conway, David Kearney, Ian Madigan, Paul Ryan and Ireland Under-20 captain Rhys Ruddock.

Former Cheetah hooker Richardt Strauss gets another chance to impress, a state of affairs that would also apply to scrumhalf Paul O’Donohue and Eoin O’Malley.

In Heaslip’s absence Stephen Keogh is likely to start at number eight having performed superbly in Leinster’s last outing against the Scarlets when coming on for the luckless Seán O’Brien.

The Irish province’s win against Llanelli leaves them third in the table behind leaders Ospreys and Glasgow Warriors with a game in hand. As the season reaches a climax they are well aware that every point is precious.

Leinster are the last Irish side to beat Cardiff at home – that game was played at the Arms Park rather than Sunday’s venue, the Cardiff City Stadium – in September 2007 but their hosts have won their last five matches in all competitions.

Leinster team manager Chris Whitaker explained: “Cardiff are a strong force in Welsh rugby and even though they started the season slowly they have managed to pick up some impressive victories, not least their 30-7 win up in Firhill against Glasgow last time out.

“It will be interesting to see which of their internationals will be available on the one hand, but we know that irrespective of who they select their team will be strong. They have a big forward pack. Xavier Rush is an important player for them as is Paul Tito, while their backline combinations are strong and experienced with the likes of Ben Blair and two exciting centres in Casey Laulala and Tom Shanklin.”

Cardiff coach Dai Young is targeting a victory at the weekend to ensure his side not only have a tilt at making the play-offs but also guarantee Heineken Cup rugby next season. “While our cup form has been good this season our Magners League form has not been up to standard.

“I think with a few games left in the league and important qualification for Heineken Cup at stake every point is important. We certainly need a big performance and need to get the victory as the third place Welsh qualifying place could go to the wire.”

Meanwhile, the Scarlets have three Wales internationals back on duty at Parc y Scarlets in the shape of centre Jonathan Davies, Ken Owens and Matthew Rees for the clash with Ulster tomorrow night. Scrumhalf Martin Roberts has returned to the club for the rest of the Six Nations and starts on the bench with 19-year-old Travis Knoyle promoted to the team.

LEINSTER (squad): S Berne, A Conway, G Dempsey, D Kearney, Simon Keogh, I Madigan, F McFadden, I Nacewa, P O’Donohoe, E O’Malley, E Reddan, T Hogan, B Jackman, S Jennings, Stephen Keogh, R McCormack, K McLaughlin, M O’Kelly, M Ross, R Ruddock, P Ryan, R Strauss, D Toner, CJ van der Linde, S Wright.

SCARLETS: D Newton; J Ajuwa, R King, J Davies, A Fenby; R Priestland, T Knoyle; I Thomas, K Owens, D Manu; L Reed, D Day; J Turnbull, R Pugh, D Lyons (capt). Replacements: P John, M Rees, R McCusker, J Edwards, M Roberts, D Evans, G Maule.