For Leinster Fergus McFadden has been named at outside centre and will make his debut in place of the injured Michael Berne in the only change to the back-line. In the pack, there's a first start for summer signings Stephen Knoop and Shane Jennings while Kevin McLaughlin also comes into the team and is named in the back-row. Leo Cullen captains the side and again lines up alongside Trevor Hogan.

Keith Gleeson, who is line to make his 100th Leinster appearance, has been named on a strong bench which includes the likes of Stephen Keogh. A vacancy has been left at replacement prop which will be confirmed closer to kick off.

The home team give first competitive starts of the season to Robert Sidoli, Tom James and Mark Lewis. There are six changes in all to the side that defeated Glasgow last Friday. Ben Blair comes in at full back and Jason Spice starts at nine. The final change is John Yapp's return to the front row after a minor calf injury. On the bench Scott Morgan has recovered from the broken bone in his hand sustained in the friendly match against Pontypridd.

The game is not televised and tickets are available online or by calling the Ticket Office on 029 2030 2030. Cardiff Blues v Leinster Friday 28 September 7.30pm kick off Magners League

CARDIFF BLUES: 15: Ben Blair, 14: Jamie Roberts, 13: Tal Selley, 12: Dafydd Hewitt, 11: Tom James, 10: Nick Robinson, 9: Jason Spice, 1: John Yapp, 2: Gareth Williams, 3: Gary Powell, 4: Robert Sidoli, 5: Paul Tito, 6: Mark Lewis, 7: Robin Sowden-Taylor, 8: Xavier Rush CAPTAIN

REPLACEMENTS: 16: Scott Roberts, 17: Ross Johnson, 18: Bradley Davies, 19: Scott Morgan, 20: Richie Rees, 21: Dai Flanagan, 22: Tom Riley

LEINSTER: 15: Rob Kearney, 14: Gary Brown, 13: Fergus McFadden, 12: Christian Warner, 11: Luke Fitzgerald, 10: Jonathan Sexton, 9: Chris Whitaker, 1: Stan Wright, 2: Bernard Jackman, 3: Stephen Knoop, 4: Trevor Hogan, 5: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN, 6: Kevin McLaughlin, 7: Shane Jennings, 8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS: 16: Brian Blaney, 17: Cian Healy / Juan Francisco Gomez, 18: Cameron Jowit, 19: Stephen Keogh, 20: Keith Gleeson, 21: Cillian Willis, 22: Ross McCarron

REFEREE: Peter Allan (SRU), SUB REFEREE: Gwyn Morris (WRU), TOUCH JUDGE: Mike Bethall (WRU)

LAST SEASON'S LEAGUE MEETINGS
16 September: Leinster 16-9 Blues
11 May: Blues 27-13 Leinster

Magners League pacesetters Cardiff Blues have lost just one of their last 11 Magners League matches since the end of January and hold the record for consecutive home league wins. The Arms Park fortress shows 11 conscutive wins in all competitions since Munster won in the Heineken Cup in December 2006. Leinster have won just one of their last seven away games in all competitions since mid December, 23-22 at the Dragons on 13th April. That win at Rodney Parade represents Leinster's only victory in Wales since December 2004 when they last won at the Arms Park 15-6, with games between the two sides always going the way of the home team since then.