Celtic League news:With Australian import Mick Berne ruled out for at least four weeks after sustaining a fractured cheekbone against Edinburgh last Saturday, one of Leinster's home-grown talents will keep Brian O'Driscoll's number 13 jersey warm at the Arms Park this Friday night, Gavin Cummiskeyreports.
It's a game that promises to be Leinster's toughest of the early rounds as the Cardiff Blues are not unduly put out by the World Cup, having won their opening three excursions.
Either Fergus McFadden, Fionn Carr or Ross McCarron will come directly into the starting line-up. McFadden is a centre by trade - Carr and McCarron are wingers/fullbacks - but Luke Fitzgerald could well be switched to a midfield role.
Either way, the ability of the incoming player will receive a stern examination.
"Cardiff are 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," said Leinster coach Michael Cheika yesterday.
"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."
Tighthead prop Juan Gomez is also carrying a knock but is expected to be included in tomorrow's team announcement.
Ulster coach Mark McCall has made three changes to the team that beat the Ospreys 17-16 for Friday's trip to Murrayfield to play Edinburgh.
Bryn Cunningham is back at fullback ahead of Mark Bartholomeusz, Irish under-20s captain David Pollack is preferred to Kieron Dawson at openside flanker and a fit-again Justin Harrison replaces Ryan Caldwell at lock.
David Humphreys remains sidelined with an ankle problem so Belfast Harlequins' Niall O'Connor continues his development.
The former under-20s outhalf kicked a last-minute match winning penalty at Ravenhill last week.
ULSTER (v Edinburgh): B Cunningham; S Danielli, T Bowe, S Mallon, M McCrea; N O'Connor, K Campbell; J Fitzpatrick, N Brady, T Court, J Harrison, R Caldwell, M McCullough, D Pollack, R Wilson (capt). Replacements: M Miles, D Fitzpatrick, T Barker, K Dawson, P Marshall, A Larkin, M Bartholomeusz.
Friday
Dragons v Munster, Rodney Parade, 6.10.
Llanelli Scarlets v Connacht, Stradey Park, 7.10.
Cardiff Blues v Leinster, Arms Park, 7.30.
Edinburgh v Ulster, Murrayfield, 7.30 (Live Setanta Sports).
