Leinster ring changes for Cardiff clash

Head coach Matt O’Connor has made 11 changes to the Leinster starting 15 that travel to Cardiff for their PRO12 match on Saturday afternoon.

Rob Kearney returns to captain the side at full-back, with his brother Dave Kearney beside him on the left wing and Fergus McFadden on the right.

Ben Te’o has fully recovered from the forearm fracture picked up in October and starts at 13. He is paired with another returning player, Noel Reid at inside centre, the first time the two have played in the centre together.

Fly-half Jimmy Gopperth starts at 10 and is joined in the half-backs by Luke McGrath.

It’s a completely changed pack, with Irish internationals Michael Bent, Sean Cronin and Marty Moore making up the front row. Tom Denton and Kane Douglas start in the second row.

Last week’s Man of the Match against Ulster Jack Conan starts at 8 and is joined in the back row by Dominic Ryan at blindside and Jordi Murphy at openside.

Cardiff v Leinster at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday January 10 - kick-off 2.40pm.

Leinster team in full: Rob Kearney - capt., Fergus McFadden, Ben Te'o, Noel Reid, Dave Kearney, Jimmy Gopperth, Luke McGrath, Michael Bent, Sean Cronin, Marty Moore, Tom Denton, Kane Douglas, Dominic Ryan, Jordi Murphy, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Richardt Strauss Jamie Hagan, Tadhg Furlong, Mike McCarthy, Josh Van Der Flier, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Darragh Fanning.