Rugby Celtic League: The Leinster team may be severely under-strength, but the motivation is there this evening as they begin a five-week winter campaign that may yet define their season.
Lying a comfortable third place in the Celtic League, they will look to end a barren spell on Welsh soil that stretches back to November 2003, when they beat a weakened Ospreys.
After that comes Ulster on Monday, December 27th, before Munster at Musgrave Park on New Year's Day, which is an ideal appetiser for the return of European Cup competition.
Their next game in that contest is a daunting trip to the Recreation Ground where Bath will be seeking a win. Then it's giant-killers Benetton Treviso at Lansdowne Road. When all that is over, the Six Nations will almost be upon us. With all that on the horizon the team selection isn't causing any great shakes as key attackers Brian O'Driscoll, Shane Horgan and Denis Hickie recharge their batteries alongside Leo Cullen.
The televised trip does have its drawing points, however. After injuring his groin in a tour-de-force second-half display against Bath on October 30th, Gordon D'Arcy finally looks set to see some action. Named amongst the replacements, D'Arcy will be eased back into competition over the holiday period with the hope of unleashing him at full throttle for Bath and beyond.
Tonight, though, is for others to shine. David Quinlan, Gary Brown, Ben Gissing and Aidan McCullen all get overdue starts, while several are selected in their preferred positions - namely Eric Miller at number eight and Felipe Contepomi at outhalf.
Cardiff are without international full-back Rhys Williams (groin) and flu victim Nathan Thomas. Also, Craig Quinnell and the Robinson brothers, Jamie and Nick, are all longer term injuries. Johnny Bryant, a recent signing from Gwent Dragons, comes into the centre for his Blues debut.
Their threat is nothing like the Cardiff of old with their form in Europe being nothing short of dire. They went down fighting, however, in their 23-16 defeat to Gloucester last week. If they are going to be scalped at the Arms Park, the visitors will remember the experience.
At this mid-point in the Celtic League season, Dai Young's men really need to start moving up the table, as they are currently the bottom Welsh side in eighth place on 19 points. The top four and play-off spot is still within reach but only if the winning ways start immediately.
Considering Declan Kidney has made seven changes from the Bourgoin match, and Cardiff have not lost at home in the Celtic League for eight games, it makes it a hard call.
Still, Leinster have enough brawn up front to give Contepomi the opportunity to transfer his international form at pivot to club level thus paving the way for a prosperous 2005.
CARDIFF: M Nuthall; J Vaughton, T Shanklin, J Bryant, C Morgan; L Thomas, R Powell; J Yapp, G Williams, G Jenkins; D Jones, R Sidoli; K Schubert, J Malpas, M Williams.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; J McWeeney, K Lewis, D Quinlan, G Brown; F Contepomi, G Easterby; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, R Nebbett; M O'Kelly, B Gissing; A McCullen, S Jennings, E Miller. Replacements (from): P Coyle, E Byrne, J Lyne, G Hickie, C Potts, V Costello, B O'Meara, D Holwell, G D'Arcy.
Referee: Malcolm Changeleng (SRU).
Previous Meetings: October 2003 (CL) at Arms Park: Cardiff Blues 22, Leinster 3. December 2003 (EC) at Arms Park: Cardiff Blues 19, Leinster 24. January 2004 (EC) at Lansdowne Road: Leinster 20, Cardiff Blues 17. March 2004 (CL) at Donnybrook Leinster 18, Cardiff Blues 22. September 2004 (CL) at Donnybrook: Leinster 9, Cardiff Blues 9.
Leading points scorers: Cardiff - Lee Thomas 66. Leinster - David Holwell 47.
Leading try scorers: Cardiff - Dean Dewdney and Craig Morgan 2. Leinster - Gary Brown 4.
Verdict: Leinster.
Cardiff Blues v Leinster
Arms Park, today, 5.30 p.m.
On TV: Setanta Sports
