Nacewa to make debut appearance for Leinster

Isa Nacewa will make his debut for Leinster away to Cardiff Blues in Saturday's opening Magners League clash at The Arms Park (6.30pm).

Leinster Academy graduate Sean O'Brien could also be in line for his competitve debut from the bench after a barnstorming cameo against Queensland Reds last week.

Chris Whitaker will captain the side at half-back beside Jonathan Sexton and in front of a centre pairing of Brian O'Driscoll and Felipe Contepomi.

Cian Healy and Ronan McCormack have been given the responsibility to lock down the scrum in the front row with Devin Toner asked, ahead of Trevor Hogan, to accompany Malcolm O'Kelly in the second row.

LEINSTER (v Cardiff Blues):

15: Isa Nacewa

14: Shane Horgan

13: Brian O'Driscoll

12: Felipe Contepomi

11: Rob Kearney

10: Jonathan Sexton

9: Chris Whitaker CAPTAIN

1: Cian Healy

2: Bernard Jackman

3: Ronan McCormack

4: Devin Toner

5: Malcolm O'Kelly

6: Cameron Jowitt

7: Shane Jennings

8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: John Fogarty

17: Stephen Knoop

18: Trevor Hogan

19: Sean O'Brien

20: Chris Keane

21: Luke Fitzgerald

22: Girvan Dempsey