Schmidt names all-Irish Leinster team to face Cardiff

Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt has named an all-Irish starting XV to face the Cardiff Blues in Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash in the RDS (6.30pm).

Jonathan Sexton makes his 98th appearance and is just five points away from passing the 500-point career mark in league games. He partners Eoin Reddan at half back.

Gordon D’Arcy links up with Brian O’Driscoll in the midfield, while David Kearney will make his 40th appearance and start his first game of the season after being named on the right wing.

Ian Madigan continues his stint at fullback with Fergus McFadden completing the backline on the left wing.

Up front, Devin Toner locks down at second row alongside captain Leo Cullen.

Hooker Richardt Strauss, who was named in the Ireland panel for the first time earlier this week for the forthcoming November series, is named in the front row alongside international props Cian Healy and Mike Ross.

Jordi Muphy, who earned 13 caps for Ireland U-20s, starts at openside flanker with Kevin McLaughlin and Jamie Heaslip forming a powerful back-row.

Rhys Ruddock, meanwhile, takes his place in the Senior panel for the first time this season and is named amongst a replacements bench which includes Isaac Boss and Sean Cronin.

Leinster (v. Cardiff Blues): I Madigan; D Kearney, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, F McFadden; J Sexton, E Reddan; C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross; L Cullen ©, D Toner, K McLaughlin, J Murphy, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, H van der Merwe, J Hagan, D Browne, R Ruddock, I Boss, B Macken, F Carr.