Cardiff Blues will field an unchanged starting line-up when they play their latest Heineken Cup match against Leinster Lions at Lansdowne Road on Friday evening.

Coach David Young has given a vote of confidence to the team that beat Biarritz Olympique 21-20 last week to get the European show on the road. He said,

“Last week’s win was very important to us all in the Blues’ set-up and we are approaching the remaining two pool matches in a very positive frame of mid.

“We are not kidding ourselves, we know we are not the finished article, but we are far more competitive than we were this time last year as a club side and we can only go on to get stronger.

“All the 22 men on duty did us proud last week and they stay together now for what is sure to be a major challenge in Dublin. Leinster were deservedly rated as one of the pre-tournament favourites and nothing has changed since then.

“The fact that we ran them so close at the Arms Park in Dcember is another sign that we are heading in the right direction and this next game will be another good indicator of where westand in the scheme of things.”

Iestyn Harris was not considered for selection because of a recurring back problem but is certain to be fit again before the Blues play their final pool game against Sale Sharks at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday 31 January (3.00pm)

Team: Rhys Williams; Nick Walne, Jamie Robinson, Tom Shanklin, Craig Morgan; Nick Robinson, Ryan Powell; John Yapp, Gareth Williams, Ben Evans, Craig Quinnell, Andy Moore, Jim Brownrigg, Nathan Thomas, Martyn Williams, capt

Replacements : Darren Crompton, Kenneth Fourie, Heino Senekal, Rhys Thomas, Rob Appleyard, Andrew Moore, Matt Allen

Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)