Wright named on bench for Leinster

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has named his side for Saturday’s Magners League game against the Cardiff Blues at Cardiff City Stadium (kick-off 6.30pm).

Stan Wright will make his first appearance for Leinster this season and is named on the bench along with Ireland international Eoin Reddan and Scotland lock Nathan Hines.

Leo Cullen will enter the history books when he becomes only the fifth player in the province’s history to reach the 150 cap landmark.

Cullen leads the side and is one of five internationals named in the panel for the meeting of the league’s second and third placed teams.

Isaac Boss links up with Ian McKinley at half-back while former St Patrick’s Classical School Navan centre Eamonn Sheridan will be making only his second senior appearance, and his first start for the province, alongside Eoin O’Malley.

Isa Nacewa, Andrew Conway and Niall Morris, a try-scorer in the 21-16 victory over Aironi last weekend, make up the back three.

Kevin McLaughlin starts in a powerful back-row alongside Dominic Ryan and Rhys Ruddock.

Leinster: Isa Nacewa; Andrew Conway, Eoin O’Malley, Eamonn Sheridan, Niall Morris; Ian McKinley, Isaac Bossl; Heinke van der Merwe, Richardt Strauss, Clint Newland, Leo Cullen (C), Devin Toner; Kevin McLaughlin, Dominic Ryan, Rhys Ruddock

Replacements: Jason Harris-Wright, Jack McGrath, Stan Wright, Nathan Hines, Stephen Keogh, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Michael Keating