D'Arcy returns to Leinster side to face Cardiff Blues

Gordon D'arcy returns to Leinster’s starting 15 as they welcome Cardiff to the RDS on Friday night.

The province will look to put last weekend’s derby defeat to Connacht behind them with a victory over the Welsh side.

Australian Kane Douglas also makes his first start tomorrow night. The lock arrived last Friday and has been training with the team this week.

Elsewhere, captain Jamie Heaslip will be joined in the back row by Rhys Ruddock and and Dominic Ryan while Marty Moore also makes his first start of the season in the front eight.

Both the back three and the half-backs remain unchanged.

Leinster team: Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Gordon D'Arcy, Ian Madigan, Darragh Fanning, Jimmy Gopperth, Eoin Reddan, Michael Bent, Sean Cronin, Marty Moore, Devin Toner, Kane Douglas, Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, Jamie Heaslip - capt.

Replacements: Bryan Byrne, Ed Byrne, Tadhg Furlong, Mike McCarthy, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Steve Crosbie, Mick McGrath.

Cardiff Blues: Rhys Patchell, Alex Cuthbert, Cory Allen, Dafydd Hewitt, George Watkins, Gareth Davies, Lewis Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Kristian Dacey, Adam Jones, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris Dicomidis, Josh Turnbull, Sam Warburton, Josh Navidi - capt.

Replacements: Matthew Rees, Sam Hobbs, Taufa'ao Filise, Macauley Cook, Manoa Vosawai, Tavis Knoyle, Adam Thomas, Dan Fish.

The match kicks-off at 7.35pm on Friday September 26 at the RDS.