Cheika looks to bounce back

LEINSTER will be aiming to rediscover their winning touch against Cardiff Blues at the RDS today (5.30pm), just a week before they open another Heineken Cup campaign at the same venue.

Michael Cheika’s side put a run of three consecutive victories together before last week’s heavy reversal in Musgrave Park.

“I don’t like to use that phrase, a wake-up call, because I don’t think we were asleep (against Munster). It’s more about a realisation that you have to work hard all the time and we have been working hard.

“We’ve had three or four consistent games now and one off. The next time we’ve got to have six consistent games before we have another one off. I really believe in that plan. I’m not doing it to talk to the press and say, ‘oh, I’ve got an excuse’.

Reggie Corrigan will earn his 100th cap for the province against the Welsh visitors as Leinster get their first competitive run-out at their new home.

Malcolm O’Kelly will not be on the bench after injury and that would appear to rule out his involvement in the European opener.

Eric Miller, who misses out with an ankle injury, is expected to feature against Bath however.

Cheika again has a stellar back line to call on and the Australian is sticking with Felipe Contepomi at inside centre and Christian Warner keeps the number 10 jersey.

The Blues must do without Wales three-quarter Tom Shanklin, who is out with a bruised knee and is a doubt for the start of the Heineken Cup.

Hooker Gareth Williams makes his injury return in one of five changes - Ben Evans, Maama Molitika, Mike Phillips and Tristan Davies all in.

Marc Stcherbina makes his first appearance on the bench after injury.

LEINSTER: G Dempsey, S Horgan, G D’Arcy, F Contepomi (c), D Hickie, C Warner, B O’Riordan; R Corrigan, D Blaney, W Green, B Gissing, B Williams, C Potts, K Gleeson, J Heaslip.

Replacements: R McCormack, B Jackman, C Jowitt, D Dillon, B O’Meara, K Lewis, R Kearney.

BLUES: R Williams (capt); C Czekaj, J Robinson, T Davies, C Morgan; N Robinson, M Phillips; J Yapp, G Williams, B Evans, D Jones, R Sidoli, M Molitika, M Williams, X Rush.

Replacements: M Jones, R Johnson, K Schubert, R Sowden-Taylor, R Powell, M Stcherbina, L Thomas.

Referee: Malcolm Changleng (Scotland).