Leinster looking for big improvement

MAGNERS LEAGUE: Leinster v Cardiff BluesDAI YOUNG could be forgiven for dwelling briefly this week on the lack on uniformity with regard to the November Test series window. Wales face New Zealand at the Millennium stadium next weekend while Ireland's first assignment against Australia at Croke Park is tomorrow fortnight. The eight-day discrepancy means the Cardiff Blues must do without their Welsh international contingent tonight while Leinster coach Michael Cheika has been able to choose from a full complement.

Blues’ coach Young may feel like he’s trying to operate with one hand tied behind his back. Leigh Halfpenny, Tom James, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Gethin Jenkins, Andy Powell and Martyn Williams are with Wales while hookers T Rhys Thomas and Gareth Williams and openside Robin Sowden-Taylor are injured.

The upshot is hooker Rhys Williams makes his first start while flanker Ben White is granted a seasonal bow. The Blues do retain a core of seasoned internationals in Kiwis, Ben Blair, captain, Paul Tito and Xavier Rush, Australia’s Sam Norton Knight and former Welsh and Lions utility back Gareth Thomas.

Leinster will be smarting from last week’s defeat at Ravenhill. While players and management paid tribute to Ulster’s display, there was unanimity in suggesting Leinster had slipped below the watermark of acceptability in terms of their performance levels.

Cheika has made nine changes and a positional switch from last weekend. Isa Nacewa switches to fullback – Rob Kearney has a minor injury – with Shane Horgan and Luke Fitzgerald returning on the wings. Jonno Sexton and Eoin Reddan take over at halfback.

The front five is replaced with Cian Healy, John Fogarty and CJ van der Linde – the South African makes his first start of the season – joined by captain Leo Cullen and Malcolm O’Kelly, the latter pair teaming up in the secondrow.

There are obvious connotations in terms of the upcoming internationals and one player who’ll be keen to continue impress is scrumhalf Eoin Reddan. His displays suggest he’s more comfortable with team patterns. He admitted: “I’m really enjoying it. In terms of getting better as a player, I think I’m in a very good environment. I came here (from Wasps during the summer) with a very open mind and maybe if I made the move earlier in my career, I wouldn’t have had that open mind.”

He’s quick to point out he never believed his decision to return home would provide a panacea for national team selection issues.

“I do think if I was playing well in England, I’d be picked for Ireland. I don’t think coming home here is a recipe for fixing that problem; you need to play well.”

His priority this evening will be to help provide Leinster with the drive and direction needed for them to sign off this segment of the league on a positive note. There would be a commonality of purpose in that respect and that resolve coupled with Cardiff arriving short-handed should see Leinster prevail this evening.

Last meeting – At RDS: Leinster 21 Cardiff 20.

Leading points scorers: Leinster – Jonathan Sexton 58. Blues – Ben Blair 56.

Leading try scorers: Leinster – Girvan Dempsey, Isa Nacewa, Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Shane Horgan, Shaun Berne, Luke Fitzgerald 1 each. Cardiff – Gareth Thomas, Chris Czekaj, Xavier Rush, Ben Blair, Paul Tito, Sam Warburton, Gareth Cooper, Tom James 1 each.

Verdict: Leinster to win.