Joe Schmidt's Leinster side went about securing the bonus point in a roundabout way, with Fergus McFadden and Ian Madigan crossing in the closing stages after early efforts from Shane Jennings and Isa Nacewa had them 14-0 ahead.

Cardiff rallied impressively in the third quarter, grabbing tries through Bradley Davies and Richie Rees, and a penalty from Dan Parks edged the Welsh region in front at 23-20.

But McFadden's try helped Leinster reassume control and it was fitting that young out-half Madigan scurried over for the clinching score.

Jonathan Sexton missed out on his first appearance of the season for Leinster when injuring himself in the warm-up, so Academy player Madigan stepped in at number 10 for only his second start for the province.

Cardiff travelled on the back of an encouraging bonus point victory over Edinburgh last weekend, and gave competitive debuts to prop Tom Davies and Kiwi flanker Michael Paterson.

The game was only four minutes' old when Isaac Boss managed to spring through a gap between Deiniol Jones and Bradley Davies, and feed the supporting Jennings for the opening try which man-of-the-match Nacewa converted.

Cardiff encountered scrum problems through the first half, so much so that newcomer Davies had to be replaced on the stroke of half-time.

They fell further behind when slick hands from Richardt Strauss and Luke Fitzgerald gave Nacewa enough space to skip by Chris Czekaj for a try he converted himself.

Parks knocked over two successive penalties to close the gap, with Casey Laulala beginning to cause problems for the Leinster defence. But the hosts tightened their grip on proceedings, moving 20-6 clear for the break courtesy of a penalty brace from Nacewa.

The same player put in a try-saving tackle on Richard Mustoe as Cardiff began the second half with intent.

Scrum half Rees had sparked a superb counter attack out of the 22, and the Blues' new-found adventure was soon rewarded. Parks punted a penalty to touch, and lock Davies muscled his way over off the next phase.

Parks added the extras and after Leinster failed to convert a couple of promising attacking situations, the Blues squared the game at 20-20 thanks to a terrific team try.

Laulala's long pass set up an overlap on the right and a couple of well-timed deliveries from Davies and Mustoe sent Xavier Rush charging into the 22. The Cardiff skipper's brilliant offload out of the tackle then put Rees in behind the posts and Parks comfortably converted.

The Scotland international tagged on a penalty for good measure and suddenly Leinster were behind. But Schmidt's men were up for the challenge and they bounced back to deservedly take the spoils.

Replacement prop Cian Healy drew two defenders on a barge through the middle to tee up McFadden for a sprint in under the posts.

Nacewa converted and in the final minute, took his personal tally to 19 points as he topped off Madigan's fine snipe from outside the 22 which took the losing bonus point away from the Blues.

Nacewa said afterwards: "We're delighted to get the win. Obviously it was a bit disappointing to let them back in during the second half, but thankfully we held on and it was an important step forward for us."

Reflecting on his first victory as Leinster coach, Schmidt commented: "We created a few chances in the second half, but every time they attacked they seemed to have numbers out wide.

"If we take our opportunities it will take the pressure off us. I'm really pleased to get the win and I felt that the guys coming off the bench gave us that little bit extra.

"It was difficult for Ian Madigan to come on and play so late into the build-up but I thought he did well and credit to him for stepping into the breach. If you had offered me a bonus point before the game, I would have scrambled over hot coals (for it)!

"The bonus point was a bit fortuitous at the end but I'm delighted to be on the blue side of a win, for the first time. I thought that we showed nous and a lot of character out there and it was overall a really good effort."

Shane Jennings leads the side which includes fellow Ireland internationals Brian O'Driscoll and Jonathan Sexton for the visit of the Welsh side. Isaac Boss links up with Sexton at half-back, with Fergus McFadden partnering O'Driscoll at centre.

Mike Ross has recovered from injury to take his place in the front-row alongside Richardt Strauss and Heinke van der Merwe, while Jennings joins fellow Ireland internationals Jamie Heaslip and Sean O'Brien in the back-row.

Cian Healy and Eoin Reddan are included on the bench for the first time this season. There will be 'Family Day' activities and a host of other events in and around the ground starting from 5pm.

Over 15,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday's game and are still available from Spar (Donnybrook) and the Leinster Rugby Store (Donnybrook), www.leinsterrugby.ie and from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

Meanwhile, ticket sales for the Magners League clash against Munster in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 2nd October have hit the 40,000 mark. Visit www.leinsterrugby.ie today for details.

LEINSTER:

15: Luke Fitzgerald
14: Shane Horgan
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Isa Nacewa
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Nathan Hines
5: Ed O'Donoghue
6: Sean O'Brien
7: Shane Jennings CAPTAIN
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: John Fogarty
17: Cian Healy
18: Simon Shawe
19: Mariano Galarza
20: Dominic Ryan
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Ian Madigan
23: Eoin O'Malley

REFEREE: Andy Macpherson (ARU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Simon McDowell, Jonathan Peak (both IRFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Paul Haycock (ARLB), 5th OFFICIAL: tbc (ARLB), TMO: Tom Redmond (IRFU)

Roberts faces a five-month lay-off while he recovers but is chomping at the bit to get back on the playing field with his injury woes finally behind him - particularly with the World Cup at the front of his mind.

"I played the entire season not being able to hand off with my right hand because of it," said the 23 year-old trainee doctor.

"I couldn't do a press-up, I wasn't able to bench-press and I was unable to do any exercises that involved the wrist being bent back.

"But the main problem was the lack of a hand-off because it's one of the main strengths of my game and in a position like centre it's vital. It became a big blow.

"Any time a player came on my right I couldn't fend them off. There was nothing I could do.

"It means five months out of the game but I just have to look at the positives.

"I've played a lot of rugby in the last two or three years so, hopefully, this will give me the chance to train really well and get my body in peak physical shape for the end of the year.

"Next year is a huge one for Welsh rugby, with the World Cup to come and I want to be ready for it.

"There was an option to wait and have the operation after the World Cup, but the way I saw it I have to look after my health.

"It was a big decision, but my right hand is my dominant hand and I had to think of my career after rugby."

via rbs6nations.com

The highly rated Powell is renowned for his uncompromising style of play - with his direct running and pure physicality. Having represented Wales at U21 and A team level, he burst into the Wales senior side in 2008 against South Africa winning a man of the match award on his debut. Since then he has been a mainstay in the Welsh team, winning 14 caps. His selection for the Lions in 2009 was reward for his fine form that season.

Overcoming injury and adversity throughout his career Powell has shown his strength of character and passion for the game and a move from Cardiff to Wasps, a club with a proven history in nurturing and producing international talents, reiterates his commitment to playing rugby at the highest level.

On the news, Wasps Director of Rugby Tony Hanks said, "We are delighted to announce that Andy Powell, a hugely talented and highly regarded international back-row forward, joins Wasps ahead of the new season. Andy makes his move from Cardiff based on his desire to drive both his club and international career and whilst his rugby ability is obvious, the Wasps coaching team have all warmed to Andy immediately and are impressed by his drive and enthusiasm to relocate to London and join Wasps.

"Andy is the first high profile Welsh signing at the club since Rob Howley and we are confident he will benefit from the environment and 'Wasps way' in a similar fashion and become a favourite with the Wasps faithful. He will be a welcome addition to the squad and is held in high regard by people in the game that we at Wasps trust and respect - none more so than Wasps' Lions players who played alongside him and forged friendships with him in South Africa in 2009.

"This is a good fit for both Andy and Wasps - we want to give him the platform, on the back of good club performances, to play at the highest level possible and Andy is committed to developing his game and ensuring success for Wasps in 2010/11."

On joining Wasps Powell said, "I am extremely excited to be joining London Wasps. My decision was a pure rugby decision. After all the talk and speculation about where I will be playing, all I want to do now is get my head down, improve as a player and hopefully if selected, play in the World Cup next year for my country.

"To do that I need to be playing well for my club, and I think with the coaching team and setup here at Wasps, I will have the perfect opportunity to do that. I know Shaun Edwards well of course from my time with the Welsh team, and I took little persuading once I met with Tony Hanks and Trevor Woodman about how serious this team is about success and winning.

"Wasps have pulled together a great squad, with some great coaches and I think this is an environment in which I will thrive as a player and I hope to do my part to help bring success and trophies to Wasps."

Xavier Rush holds the Amlin Challenge Cup after beating Toulon

Xavier Rush has rejoined Cardiff Blues after league rivals Ulster agreed to release him from a two-year contract.

The ex-New Zealand number eight agreed to join Ulster in February but a change in personal circumstances prompted a change of heart from the 32-year-old.

"I would like to thank all parties concerned for their patience and understanding in this," said Rush.

Ulster have signed South African international back-rower Pedrie Wannenburg, 29, on a two-year deal.

"Ulster are a great team with a bright future," said Rush.

I wish [Ulster] the best of luck for the forthcoming season   Xavier Rush

"I was very impressed with the set up when I visited and I wish them the best of luck for the forthcoming season.

"However, a change in my personal circumstances has resulted in me deciding to recommit with what has become my home from home, with the Cardiff Blues, where I am very happy.

"I now just want to concentrate on having a good pre-season ahead of what promises to be another challenging, but hopefully successful campaign."

Rush's previous Blues contract ran out at the end of last season after five years in south Wales.

We are all obviously delighted that he has decided to re-sign   Blues boss Robert Norster

The former All Black is one of the form players in Europe and was a key figure last month as the Blues lifted the Amlin Challenge Cup with a 28-21 win over Toulon in Marseille.

The Auckland-born number eight played a major part in two of the Blues' three tries in the Stade Velodrome, as they became the first Welsh side to win European silverware.

Rush signed from Auckland Blues in 2005, captaining the Welsh region for two seasons from 2006 before handing the reins to Paul Tito.

Rush won eight All Black caps and captained Auckland Blues to the Super 12 title in 2003.

"Xavier has played an integral part in our progress since joining the team in 2005," said Blues chief executive Robert Norster.

"We are all obviously delighted that he has decided to re-sign and continue his impressive career with the Blues as we look to build on the success of last season."