LEINSTER HAVE NAMED a strong side for their RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Cardiff Blues in the RDS on Saturday, with David Kearney starting his first game of the season on the right wing.

Aside from the introduction of Kearney, the back line is unchanged from the one that faced the Scarlets in the Heineken Cup last Saturday, with Jonathan Sexton making his 98th appearance, and Gordon D’Arcy playing in the centre with Brian O’Driscoll.

Devin Toner starts at second row alongside captain Leo Cullen, and Richardt Strauss also plays on the back of his first Ireland call-up earlier in the week.

Meanwhile, back-row forward Rhys Ruddock makes the bench for the first time this season.

The game is set to kick-off at 6.30pm.

Leinster team to face Cardiff Blues:

15: Ian Madigan 14: David Kearney 13: Brian O’Driscoll 12: Gordon D’Arcy 11: Fergus McFadden 10: Jonathan Sexton 9: Eoin Reddan
1: Cian Healy 2: Richardt Strauss 3: Mike Ross 4: Leo Cullen (CAPTAIN) 5: Devin Toner 6: Kevin McLaughlin 7: Jordi Murphy 8: Jamie Heaslip REPLACEMENTS: 16: Sean Cronin 17: Heinke van der Merwe 18: Jamie Hagan 19: Damian Browne 20: Rhys Ruddock 21: Isaac Boss 22: Brendan Macken 23: Fionn Carr

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