Gibbes expects battle in Cardiff before Euro test

TABLE-TOPPERS Leinster have named a close to full-strength team for today’s Rabo Pro-12 match against Cardiff.

Jamie Heaslip returns to captain a team that includes 12 Ireland internationals, and is short just three players — Isa Nacewa, Luke Fitzgerald and Heinke van der Merwe — from the side likely to play in the Heineken Cup against Glasgow next weekend.

When the teams met in the RDS little more than a month ago, Leinster trounced the visitors 52-7, but forwards coach Jono Gibbes is expecting a tougher test from a more experienced Cardiff team.