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Cardiff Blues v Leinster
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Blues coach Dai Young says he is ready for the biggest Magners League tests ahead of Saturday's visit of defending champions Leinster to the Arms Park.
"In the first week we face the last three champions, Leinster, Ospreys and Ulster," said Young, whose side were second in the table in 2007 and 2008.
All Black Isa Nacewa makes his Leinster debut at full-back in a side including Brian O'Driscoll and Felipe Contepomi.
Jamie Roberts makes his Blues inside centre bow after doing so for Wales.
Young added: "It's the toughest start, Leinster did the deserved double on us last season.
"We know the challenge but are looking forward to it and will know where we stand after we've played them."
Leinster back coach Alan Gaffney is also bracing himself for a stern season's opener.
"It's a very tough one first up, I haven't won too many times at the Arms Park - Dai Young has done such a good job there," he told BBC Sport Wales.
"There's a bit of added pressure on us as champions, but we just have to make sure that we perform to our own expectations."
Young says that his side are ready to cast off the bridesmaid tag.
It's great that we've been there fighting to the end for the last two years, but you get nothing for finishing second," he told BBC Sport Wales.
"We want to go one step further - that's a nice sort of pressure to have and it shows how far we've come over the last couple of years."
"Leinster coach Michael Cheika said: "Cardiff has a strong pack even without Xavier Rush, and they also have quality backs.
"That's something we'll have to deal with so we've got to be smart and we've got to be hungry."
Chris Czekaj makes his competitive return for the hosts after more than 12 months spent recovering from the badly broken leg he suffered playing for Wales against Australia.
Andy Powell comes in at number eight for injured Rush while summer recruit Ceri Sweeney is on the bench.
The visitors include Ireland internationals Shane Horgan and Rob Kearney have been named on either wing. Chris Whitaker captains the side.
Cameron Jowitt is alongside Ireland internationals Shane Jennings and number eight Jamie Heaslip in the back-row.
Meanwhile, Leinster Academy graduate Sean O'Brien and former Ireland A captain John Fogarty could make their debuts off the bench.
Prop Stephen Knoop has recovered from illness to take his place on the bench, which includes Ireland trio Trevor Hogan, Luke Fitzgerald and Girvan Dempsey.
Blues: Ben Blair; Richard Mustoe, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Chris Czekaj; Nicky Robinson, Jason Spice; Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams, Taufa'ao Filise, Bradley Davies, Paul ***o (capt), Mamma Molitika, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams.
Replacements: Gary Powell, T. Rhys Thomas, Scott Morgan, Ben White, Darren Allinson, Ceri Sweeney, Jamie Robinson.
Leinster: Isa Nacewa; Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll , Felipe Contepomi, Rob Kearney; Jonathan Sexton, Chris Whitaker (capt); Cian Healy, Bernard Jackman, Ronan McCormack, Devin Toner, Malcolm O'Kelly, Cameron Jowitt, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: John Fogarty, Stephen Knoop, Trevor Hogan, Sean O'Brien, Chris Keane, Luke Fitzgerald, Girvan Dempsey.
Referee: Andy Macpherson (SRU).
BBC Sport
Blues coach Dai Young says he is ready for the biggest Magners League tests ahead of Saturday's visit of defending champions Leinster to the Arms Park.
"In the first week we face the last three champions, Leinster, Ospreys and Ulster," said Young, whose side were second in the table in 2007 and 2008.
All Black Isa Nacewa makes his Leinster debut at full-back in a side including Brian O'Driscoll and Felipe Contepomi.
Jamie Roberts makes his Blues inside centre bow after doing so for Wales.
Young added: "It's the toughest start, Leinster did the deserved double on us last season.
"We know the challenge but are looking forward to it and will know where we stand after we've played them."
Leinster back coach Alan Gaffney is also bracing himself for a stern season's opener.
"It's a very tough one first up, I haven't won too many times at the Arms Park - Dai Young has done such a good job there," he told BBC Sport Wales.
"There's a bit of added pressure on us as champions, but we just have to make sure that we perform to our own expectations."
Young says that his side are ready to cast off the bridesmaid tag.
It's great that we've been there fighting to the end for the last two years, but you get nothing for finishing second," he told BBC Sport Wales.
"We want to go one step further - that's a nice sort of pressure to have and it shows how far we've come over the last couple of years."
"Leinster coach Michael Cheika said: "Cardiff has a strong pack even without Xavier Rush, and they also have quality backs.
"That's something we'll have to deal with so we've got to be smart and we've got to be hungry."
Chris Czekaj makes his competitive return for the hosts after more than 12 months spent recovering from the badly broken leg he suffered playing for Wales against Australia.
Andy Powell comes in at number eight for injured Rush while summer recruit Ceri Sweeney is on the bench.
The visitors include Ireland internationals Shane Horgan and Rob Kearney have been named on either wing. Chris Whitaker captains the side.
Cameron Jowitt is alongside Ireland internationals Shane Jennings and number eight Jamie Heaslip in the back-row.
Meanwhile, Leinster Academy graduate Sean O'Brien and former Ireland A captain John Fogarty could make their debuts off the bench.
Prop Stephen Knoop has recovered from illness to take his place on the bench, which includes Ireland trio Trevor Hogan, Luke Fitzgerald and Girvan Dempsey.
Blues: Ben Blair; Richard Mustoe, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Chris Czekaj; Nicky Robinson, Jason Spice; Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams, Taufa'ao Filise, Bradley Davies, Paul ***o (capt), Mamma Molitika, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams.
Replacements: Gary Powell, T. Rhys Thomas, Scott Morgan, Ben White, Darren Allinson, Ceri Sweeney, Jamie Robinson.
Leinster: Isa Nacewa; Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll , Felipe Contepomi, Rob Kearney; Jonathan Sexton, Chris Whitaker (capt); Cian Healy, Bernard Jackman, Ronan McCormack, Devin Toner, Malcolm O'Kelly, Cameron Jowitt, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: John Fogarty, Stephen Knoop, Trevor Hogan, Sean O'Brien, Chris Keane, Luke Fitzgerald, Girvan Dempsey.
Referee: Andy Macpherson (SRU).
BBC Sport
