Cardiff and Leinster meet in Cardiff Arms Park as both are well placed within the top eight.
Both teams will be bolstered by a number of players being released from the Six Nations squads in the fallow week. Wales have struggled in the opening three rounds of the Six Nations but looked like an improved side as they were narrowly defeated by Wales. Ireland struggled in the opening week of the competition but came back to their best against Ireland, led by Leinster stars like Jamison Gibson-Park and Caelon Doris.
A home win for Cardiff would lead them level on points or ahead of Leinster, depending on bonus points. Leinster are currently sitting four points behind the league leaders.
Cardiff vs Leinster confirmed lineups and team news
Cardiff (1-15):
Barratt, Belcher, Sebastian, McNally, Nott, Lawrence, Thomas, Basham, Davies, Sheedy, Grady, Thomas, Millard, Beetham, Winnett
Replacements (16-23):
Hughes, Southworth, Assiratti, Thornton, Rees, Mulder, Lloyd, Bowen
Cardiff welcome back Liam Belcher, Ben Thomas and Mason Grady from the Wales squad for the clash against Leinster.
Leinster (1-15):
Cahir, McKee, Sparrow, Spicer, Deeny, Deegan, Penny, Culhane, Gunne, Byrne, Moloney, Henshaw, Ioane, Kenny, O’Brien
Replacements (16-23):
McCarthy, Usanov, Slimani, Snyman, Ericson, McGrath, Tector, Osborne
Max Deegan captains Leinster on his 150th game for the province, while Robbie Henshaw will partner Reiko Ioane in the centre in his return from injury.
Recent Form:
Cardiff (Home team): L-W-L-W-L
Cardiff lost their last URC game before the Six Nations break to Ulster 21-14. Cardiff have won their last three home matches, winning nine out of the last 10. Of Cardiff’s seven wins this season in the league, five have come in their six home games.
Leinster (Away team): W-W-W-W-W
Leinster have won their last 11 matches, with their last defeat coming against Munster in mid-October. Their last four wins have all been by 11 or fewer points. They have also won each of their last five away matches, with their last away defeat coming in South Africa to the Bulls.
Cardiff vs Leinster head-to-head record (last five matches):
| Date | Competition | Winner | Score |
| 1st March 2025 | URC | Leinster | 42-24 |
| 2nd March 2024 | URC | Leinster | 20-33 |
| 28th January 2023 | URC | Leinster | 38-14 |
| 29th January 2022 | URC | Cardiff | 29-27 |
| 20th November 2020 | URC | Leinster | 40-5 |
Leinster have held dominance over this fixture against Cardiff as they have only lost once since 2011. That win for Cardiff came narrowly in 2022 when they won 29-27 with a last-minute Evans penalty. In the last three matches, Leinster’s wins have all been by 13 or more. Last season, Leinster took a two-point lead into halftime before coming out as 18-point winners with six tries.
How to watch Cardiff vs Leinster?
Cardiff vs Leinster will be available to watch on Premier Sports 1 and Premier Sports Rugby. Coverage starts at 6:30 pm for a 7 pm kick-off.
