Cheika hoping his calculated risk pays off

MICHAEL CHEIKA copped a fair share of flak for resting his frontline troops last week but final judgment will rest on tomorrow’s crucial Heineken Cup tie in Llanelli.

With so many of his first-choice players coming off the back of the three autumn internationals, Cheika went with a second-string selection for last week’s trip to face the Newport Gwent Dragons.

CJ van der Linde was the only starter in that game who can expect to be in the starting side when the Australian names his selection today and Leinster paid the price with a comprehensive defeat.