Leinster’s Irish duo set for Cardiff trip

LEINSTER will have plenty of experience to help guide them through an expected tough Magners League experience against Cardiff Blues at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday (4pm).

Shane Jennings and Eoin Reddan from Ireland’s squad at Twickenham last week are included. Jennings will lead the team alongside experienced players such as Malcolm O’Kelly, Stan Wright, CJ van der Linde and Girvan Dempsey.

With Shaun Berne and Isa Nacewa to add further strength, Leinster will feel confident with a panel that is a real mix of youth and experience – recent debutant Andrew Conway and Ireland Under-20 captain Rhys Ruddock are named in the provisional squad which will be reduced to the required number tomorrow.

Team manager Chris Whitaker was at pains to point out, however, that any team capable of beating Glasgow 30-7 away from home must be respected.

“Cardiff are a strong force in Welsh rugby and even though they started the season slowly, they have managed to pick up some impressive victories, not least their 30-7 win up in Firhill against Glasgow last time out. They are a club with big ambitions and they have strength, power and pace right across their team.

“They have a big forward pack. Xavier Rush is an important player for them as is Paul Tito, while their backline combinations are strong and experienced, with the probable inclusion of Ben Blair and two tough centres in Casey Laulala and Tom Shanklin,” he said.

But Whitaker was equally positive about Leinster’s chances of victory. He said: “It’s good that we’re in a position to welcome back some of our international players; we’re pleased, not just with the attitude of those players in training this week but also with the Ireland Under-20 players who enjoyed such an impressive win against England; some of them could also be involved on Sunday.

“From a Leinster perspective, it’s encouraging that we have also been able to blood a few more players from the Academy this year; Andy (Conway) made his debut in the Scarlets game and that gives encouragement to the rest of the players.”

LEINSTER (from): Backs: S Berne, A Conway, G Dempsey, D Kearney, S Keogh, I Madigan, F McFadden, I Nacewa, P O’Donohoe, E O’Malley, E Reddan.

Forwards: T Hogan, B Jackman, S Jennings, S Keogh, R McCormack, K McLaughlin, M O’Kelly, M Ross, R Ruddock, P Ryan, R Strauss, D Toner, CJ van der Linde, S Wright.