Faletau to start Cardiff comeback against Leinster

Tonga lock or back-row forward Semisi Paea is poised for a Cardiff debut off the bench.Faletau, who signed a new one-year contract in the summer, still has to get the all-clear to feature in Ireland but has been named in the starting line-up.Cardiff are without flanker James Botham because of a hand injury while centre Ben Thomas has a calf problem and may not feature before Wales' Nations Championship squad is named on 20 October.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 the 20,500-capacity 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.Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)Assistant referees: Keane Davison (Ireland), Jonathan Erskine (Ireland)TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)