The Leinster team to face the Cardiff Blues in Saturday’s Magners League clash at the RDS (KO: 7.30pm) has been named. Shane Horgan makes his Leinster return and starts on the right wing for the top of the table clash.

The Boyne man will make his 132nd Leinster appearance and could reach a landmark because his next try will be his 50th for the province in all competitions. Horgan is joined in a strong-looking outside backline alongside Gary Brown and Luke Fitzgerald.

Leinster are further boosted by the return of scrum-half Chris Whitaker who partners Felipe Contepomi at half-back, with Michael Berne lining up alongside Christian Warner at centre.

In the pack, Cian Healy is named in a powerful front row alongside Ollie le Roux and Stan Wright, while Leo Cullen captains the side alongside another returning player and fellow Ireland international, Tipperary man Trevor Hogan, who makes his first start after four months on the sidelines.

Cameron Jowitt comes into a strong back-row alongside Keith Gleeson and Stephen Keogh. Shane Jennings misses the game after picking up a knock during the week.

There are promotions for two promising backs from the Leinster Academy. Eoin O’Malley is one of three Old Belvedere backs named on the bench. After starring for Ireland Under-20s in recent weeks, 19-year-old O’Malley is named alongside last year’s Under-20 Grand Slam winner Felix Jones (who shares dual-status with Junior side Seapoint Rugby Club) and Ireland ‘A’ scrum-half Chris Keane.

The trio are joined by Brian Blaney, Stephen Knoop, Devin Toner and Kevin McLaughlin.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s game will have a special ‘Ladies Night’ theme with proceeds of a pre and post match reception inside the ground going to Action Breast Cancer.

There will be a champagne reception, live music, post-match player appearances, special prizes and a Nivea gift bag for supporters attending on the night. Magners will also be providing the Main Prize of the evening of a trip for two for the ‘Best Dressed’ Lady to Leinster’s Magners League game in Edinburgh this April.

Match tickets will be on sale from Ticketmaster outlets around the ground on the day.

LEINSTER

15: Luke Fitzgerald

14: Shane Horgan

13: Christian Warner

12: Michael Berne

11: Gary Brown

10: Felipe Contepomi

9: Chris Whitaker

1: Cian Healy

2: Ollie le Roux

3: Stan Wright

4: Trevor Hogan

5: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN

6: Cameron Jowitt

7: Keith Gleeson

8: Stephen Keogh

 

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Brian Blaney

17: Stephen Knoop

18: Devin Toner

19: Kevin McLaughlin

20: Chris Keane

21: Eoin O’Malley

22: Felix Jones

 

REFEREE: Peter Allan (SRU), SUB REFEREE: Simon McDowell (IRFU), TOUCH JUDGE: Ger English (IRFU), TMO: Dudley Phillips (IRFU)