Wales’ record cap holder Gethin Jenkins will make his 150th appearance for Mark Hammett’s side as they welcome the Irish province, who are flying high in fourth position in the Guinness PRO12.
But the Blues’ Kiwi coach has named a strong side as they try to kick-start their assault on the European Rugby Champions Cup qualification spots.
They turned the tables on the Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade on New Year’s Day to claim their fourth win of the campaign, and Hammett has made just three changes to take on Leinster.
Tighthead prop Adam Jones is called into the front row, to pack down with Kristian Dacey and skipper Jenkins. Lock Lou Reed is also called up to join forces with Samoa international Filo Paulo in the second row. The final change sees a return for wing Alex Cuthbert while fit-again scrum half Lloyd Williams is named among the replacements.
And Hammett wants to kick-start a bumper month of Blues action by upsetting the odds against the back-to-back PRO12 champions
He said: “It’s a big month and we have a three-week block of very important games. But what is vital is that the players focus only on Leinster.
“We’re in good shape after the Dragons game and we are looking forward to the Leinster fixture and what is a big home match.
“Where we are, in our growth as a team, every game is a tough one for us now. There is no such thing as an easy game as we look to develop the way we play and against teams who are higher than us at the moment.
“Leinster are no different; they bring a wealth of experience and success from the past and we have got to rise to that challenge.”
