Warner fails to make Leinster team

Former England U21 out-half Matt Leek is to win his second Heineken Cup cap tonight, and second start for Leinster at Lansdowne Road this season, following the resurfacing of a quad injury to Christian Warner this afternoon.

It means Leinster will begin tonight’s game against the Cardiff Blues in Dublin, with five forwards on their replacements bench, with Brian O’Riordan and David Quinlan the only backs.

A reshuffling of the Leinster rearguard, already missing Ireland international Brian O’Driscoll, sees Leek start at number 10, following his home debut in the Lions’ 23-22 defeat to Sale on January 9.

Barnhall winger Brendan Burke, 22, will be making his European home debut on the left wing.

It is a tough break for Warner who turned 28 yesterday.

The six-foot out-half-cum centre picked up his injury in training before Leinster’s 32-30 win over Ulster on January 2, and it means the amiable Australian has made just one start so far this year for the province.

Leinster Lions (v Cardiff): G Dempsey; J McWeeney, G D’Arcy, S Horgan, B Burke; M Leek, B O’Meara; R Corrigan (Capt), S Byrne, P Coyle, M O’Kelly, B Gissing, E Miller, K Gleeson, V Costello.

Replacements: J Moran, G Hickie, A Kearney, A McCullen, B O’Riordan, S Jennings, D Quinlan.