Leinster squad to face Cardiff Blues

The squad includes the likes of Jonathan Sexton, Chris Whitaker and Jamie Heaslip who all impressed during last weekend's victory alongside try-scorers Gary Brown and Luke Fitzgerald in a game which saw Leo Cullen (second spell after re-signing), Shane Jennings (second spell after re-signing), Juan Francisco-Gomez and Stephen Knoop make their first starts for the province.

The team is expected to be named on Thursday lunchtime.

Speaking ahead of Friday's Magners League clash with the Cardiff Blues, Leinster coach Michael Cheika said:

INJURY UPDATE: "Mick Berne sustained a broken cheekbone against Edinburgh and will be out for 4-6 weeks. It's a blow because he has been one of our strongest performers so far this season. He has done really well for us, is a strong runner and he had made a number of breaks.

One from Fergus McFadden, Fionn Carr or Ross McCarron could come into the team.

Apart from that, Juan Gomez has a slight niggle, but he should be alright."

ON LAST WEEKEND'S WIN OVER EDINBURGH: "I'd more or less stick to the assessment that I made in the aftermath of the game. There's certainly room for improvement and it was your typical Round One game.

It was a first run out for some of our guys, but it was good to get the win. We're trying to peak at various times during the season and Friday's game will be another big test for us."

ON CARDIFF: "I've played there (Arms Park) myself for New South Wales against Cardiff and all I remember from the game was that it was like a war! That's exactly how I liked to play the game so I have huge admiration for Cardiff.

They're probably the most improved side in the Magners League over the last two to three years and they play a very smart style with plenty of grunt. They're very physical and it will be a great challenge for us to meet them.

But it's a challenge that I know our players will relish and it's great for us to get that so early in the season.

Over the last two years they have prevented us from winning the title.

We lost the penultimate game of the season in the Millennium Stadium which dented our chances, while last year they defeated us on the last game of the season. So our players will be motivated to improve our recent record there."

LEINSTER SQUAD TO FACE CARDIFF BLUES

FORWARDS: S. Wright, J. Gomez, C. Healy, S. Knoop, B. Blaney, B. Jackman, L. Cullen, D. Toner, T. Hogan, C. Jowitt, K. McLaughlin, S. Keogh, J. Heaslip, K. Gleeson, S. Jennings

BACKS: C. Whitaker, C. Keane, C. Willis, J. Sexton, C. Warner, F. McFadden, F. Carr, R. Kearney, L. Fitzgerald, R. McCarron

REFEREE: Peter Allan (SRU), SUB REFEREE: Gwyn Morris (WRU), TOUCH JUDGE: Mike Bethall (WRU)