Taulupe Faletau: Wales forward back from injury for Cardiff at Leinster in URC

Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau will make his first appearance since March when starting for Cardiff at Leinster in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

The 35-year-old has not played since suffering a shoulder injury at Sharks, a blow that ended an injury-hit campaign that also featured knee and calf problems.

Faletau will make his return as Cardiff, fresh from wins against Scarlets and Zebre, make seven changes for the trip to the redeveloped Laya Arena in Dublin on Saturday (19:45 BST).

Captain Liam Belcher returns at hooker and full-back Matty Young, who scored at Stade Francais in the Challenge Cup last season, makes his URC debut.

There are also starts for wing Mason Grady, scrum-half Aled Davies, loose-head prop Danny Southworth and open-side flanker Dan Thomas.

Wales back row Faletau signs new Cardiff deal

Inside Scarlets and their struggle for existence

Tonga lock or back-row forward Semisi Paea is poised for a Cardiff debut off the bench.

The Blue and Blacks face a Leinster side who claimed three bonus points when starting the defence of their title in South Africa against Lions and Sharks.

Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl said: "We are really excited to travel to Ireland for what will be a big test against the URC champions.

"It's been a pleasing start to the season for us in terms of results but there is plenty to work on in terms of performance and we want to take another step forward this week."

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen names an entirely new starting line-up from the bonus-point defeat by Sharks in Durban, bringing back a host of Ireland internationals.

Hooker and captain Dan Sheehan, tight-head prop Tadgh Furlong, locks Joe McCarthy and James Ryan, number eight Jack Conan, centre Garry Ringrose and full-back Hugo Keenan all play for the first time since starting against New Zealand in the Nations Championship.

Fly-half Sam Prendergast, who pulled the strings against the All Blacks, starts after coming off the bench at Sharks.

The Irish province are playing their first competitive fixture at Laya Arena, formerly known as the Royal Dublin Society, since 2024 after playing for two seasons at Aviva Stadium while redevelopment work was carried out.

Leinster: Keenan; Kenny, Ringrose, Osborne, J O'Brien; Prendergast, Coffey, Usanov, Sheehan (capt), Furlong, McCarthy, Ryan, Deegan, Penny, Conan.

Replacements: Kelleher, Dooley, Clarkson, Spicer, Ericson, Gunne, Gabriel, Henshaw.

Cardiff: Young; Beetham, Millard, Malan, Grady; Sheedy, Davies; Southworth, Belcher (capt), Sebastian, McNally, T Williams, Mann, Thomas, Faletau.

Replacements: E Lloyd, Barratt, Wainwright, Nott, Paea, Mulder, J Evans, S Emanuel.

Assistant referees: Keane Davison (Ireland), Jonathan Erskine (Ireland)