Leinster centre out for up to six weeks

Centre Michael Berne has had to drop out of the Leinster squad to play the Cardiff Blues in the Arms Park on Friday (KO: 7.30pm).

Coach Michael Cheika said: "Mick Berne sustained a broken cheekbone against Edinburgh and will be out for 4-6 weeks.

"It's a blow because he has been one of our strongest performers so far this season. He has done really well for us, is a strong runner and he had made a number of breaks."

Berne's injury will provide an opportunity for one of Fergus McFadden, Fionn Carr or Ross McCarron to come into the team.

The team is expected to be named at Thursday lunchtime.

LEINSTER SQUAD (v Cardiff):

FORWARDS: S Wright, J Gomez, C Healy, S Knoop, B Blaney, B Jackman, L Cullen, D Toner, T Hogan, C Jowitt, K McLaughlin, S Keogh, J Heaslip, K Gleeson, S Jennings;

BACKS: C Whitaker, C Keane, C Willis, J Sexton, C Warner, F McFadden, F Carr, R Kearney, L Fitzgerald, R McCarron.