Injuries suffered in the game against Ospreys have forced a number of changes to the team to play Leinster on Saturday at Donnybrook (kick off 7.30pm). However, this weekend's fixture provides Ben Blair with the opportunity to play his first game for Cardiff Blues and another new signing from Canada, Ed Fairhurst, also takes his place on the bench.

"Robin Sowden-Taylor suffered a fracture dislocation of his right ankle. He spent the night in the University of Wales Hospital Cardiff in the Heath and is due for an operation this afternoon. It looks like he will be out for six to eight months.

Rhys Williams has a hip flexor injury and won't be taking part in the match against Leinster this Saturday and will possibly be out for the match against Glasgow.

Our hookers also suffered injuries with Rhys Thomas sustaining a dead leg and Duane Goodfield has a nasty gash above his right eye.

Mike Phillips suffered an abductor strain (groin area) and Nicky Robinson has bruising on the hip. Jamie Robinson looks to be out for a further two to three weeks with a groin strain as will Andy Powell who has a shoulder injury" Said David Young.

Canadian international scrum half Ed Fairhurst has signed from the University of Victoria in British Columbia. The 27 year old, who arrived earlier in the week, has won 32 caps for Canada and featured in Canada's recent 56-7 victory over the United States in a World Cup Qualifier.

Fairhusrst also captained Canada West this season who won the North American 4 Tournament. He comes highly recommended from former Cardiff Backs Coach, Geraint John who is Canada's High Performance Coach.

Fairhurst has also played four times at full back for Canada and was also a member of Canada's 2003 Rugby World Cup squad after making his debut in May 2001 in a match against the United States.

Speaking at the Hensol Castle Training Facility Fairhurst said.

"Joining the Cardiff Blues is a great opportunity for me and having worked with Geraint John was a great advantage for me as he obviously knew a lot about the team and suggested I should join.

"The training facility's here are great, and as a scrum half having Rob Howley as a backs coach was also a big factor in helping me decide to join the Blues."

Cardiff Blues Team: Ben Blair, Chris Czekaj, Tom Riley, Marc Stcherbina, Mosese Luveitasau, Nick Macleod, Wayne Evans, John Yapp, Gareth Williams, Gary Powell, Bradley Davies, James Goode, Mark Lewis, Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush (c)

Replacements: Taufaao Felise, Ross Johnson, Robert Sidoli, Scott Morgan, Ed Fairhurst, David Flanagan, Tom Shanklin, Dafydd Hewitt

Leinster have named a squad including Denis Hickie and Keith Gleeson for the first time this season following their involvement in Ireland's pre-season tour in Australia / New Zealand.

Leinster Squad
Forwards (14): Johnny Wickham, Reggie Corrigan, Will Green, Ronan McCormack, Bernard Jackman, Harry Vermaas, Adam Byrnes, Owen Finegan, Devin Toner, Keith Gleeson, Richie Leyden, Jamie Heaslip, Stephen Keogh, Niall Ronan

Backs (11): Guy Easterby, Chris Whitaker, Felipe Contepomi, Christian Warner, Gary Brown, Luke Fitzgerald, Denis Hickie, Rob Kearney, Ross McCarron, Michael Berne, Kieran Lewis Referee: A. Macpherson (SRU) Touch Judges: Colin Stanley (URS), Leo Colgan (URS)