MAGNERS LEAGUE:Leinster v Cardiff Blues LEINSTER RUGBY'S favourite endomorph - a word he chose to describe his physique - Ollie le Roux will tog out in blue once again, eight months after receiving a standing ovation at the RDS that appeared to herald his final appearance for the Irish province.
Le Roux has been named among the replacements for tonight's Magners League clash, his presence a tribute to the prescience shown by Michael Cheika. At the beginning of the season there was some doubt as to when CJ van der Linde would arrive in Ireland and as a precaution Cheika elected to register le Roux as a Leinster player for the Heineken Cup.
Bernard Jackman's continuing rehabilitation of knee problems and a one-week suspension for John Fogarty meant that Brian Blaney was the only senior hooker available to Cheika for tonight's game.
He could have delved into the Academy but instead opted for the former Springbok.
While Jackman is on course to be fit for next weekend's European assignment against Wasps at Twickenham, it isn't a cast iron certainty. Fogarty will be eligible to play but any injury sustained at hooker either tonight or in training next week would pare Cheika's options to the bare bones: giving Le Roux game time is eminently sensible.
It'll also be hugely popular with team-mates and spectators alike. The South African made a huge impact during his time with Leinster, on and off the field. Shane Jennings' three-match suspension facilitated the return of Seán O'Brien to the starting line-up at openside flanker while Leo Cullen resumes in the secondrow following a shoulder operation.
He takes over the captaincy from Chris Whitaker and will provide intelligent and unflustered direction up front.
Van der Linde has overcome a calf injury and along with several of his team-mates requires both game time and a contribution more representative of his undoubted ability.
The decision to persevere with the gifted Isa Nacewa at outhalf was going to have a knock-on effect in terms of the composition of the backline. Felipe Contepomi continues in midfield where he will be joined by Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll; the latter coming on as a replacement the last day.
Shane Horgan starts on the right wing with Gordon D'Arcy switching to the left while Rob Kearney retains the fullback jersey following his excellent display in the victory over Connacht.
The player to lose out in the backline reshuffle is the team's top try scorer in the Magners League, Luke Fitzgerald (5), who drops to the bench.
The euphemism to describe his new status would probably be the term "rested", a state of affairs supported by the fact that he has played in all bar one of Leinster's games this season.
He started in every single match except Leinster's opening game of the season when he came on as a replacement and only once - against the Dragons at the RDS - was omitted from the match 22.
Fitzgerald starting on the bench can't be a reflection of recent form but possibly owes more to the pressing needs of several colleagues in terms of game time. Girvan Dempsey is named among the replacements having recovered from a leg injury.
Cardiff coach Dai Young has named a strong side that belies the club's current position of second bottom in the table. Promising young flier Leigh Halfpenny switches from wing to fullback in a backline that possesses pace, power and experience.
Up front John Yapp gets a start ahead of Wales and Lions loosehead Gethin Jenkins in a pack that contains the abrasive ball carrying of Maama Molitika and Andy Powell amongst others.
Cardiff present a curious challenge as so far this season they have been largely abject in the Magners League while excelling in Europe.
The proximity of the fifth round of Heineken Cup pool fixtures next weekend means that both teams crave a positive impetus and therefore tonight's clash carries a greater resonance.
Leinster have managed to extricate themselves from potentially damaging positions in the last two matches, winning against Ulster and Connacht.
It's a positive attribute but Cheika would arguably prefer that his team guarantee a less fraught evening and produce a quality of rugby that offers a more compelling argument to place them at the business end of both tournaments.
It'll be a tough evening for the home side but individually and collectively they have the wherewithal to meet the challenge and survive.
LEINSTER:R Kearney; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, F Contepomi, G D'Arcy; I Nacewa, C Whitaker; S Wright, B Blaney, CJ van der Linde; L Cullen (capt), D Toner; R Elsom, S O'Brien, J Heaslip. Replacements:O le Roux, C Healy, M O'Kelly, S Keogh, C Keane, L Fitzgerald, G Dempsey.
CARDIFF BLUES:L Halfpenny; T James, J Robinson, T Shanklin, G Thomas; N Robinson, J Spice; J Yapp, T Rhys Thomas, T Filise; B Davies, P Tito; M Molitika, R Sowden Taylor, A Powell. Replacements:G Jenkins, G Williams, S Morgan, X Rush, R Rees, C Sweeney, J Roberts.
Referee:Peter Allan (Scotland)
Last meeting:September 2008 at Arms Park - Cardiff 16 Leinster 16
Leading points scorers:Leinster - Felipe Contepomi 93. Cardiff - Ben Blair 53.
Leading try scorers:Leinster - Luke Fitzgerald 5. Cardiff - Leigh Halfpenny 3.
Verdict:Leinster to win.
