Blues switch PRO14 derby to avoid clash with City
CARDIFF Blues have moved the date of their Christmas Welsh derby against the Dragons to avoid a clash with Cardiff City’s huge Premier League showdown with Manchester United, writes Paul Abbandonato.
The two games were set to take place at the same time in the Welsh capital on Saturday December 22, after the Bluebirds’ match was switched to a tea-time kick-off for TV purposes.
The Blues were already scheduled to meet the Dragons at 5.15pm at the Arms Park that day.
However, the Guinness PRO14 derby has been moved forward 24 hours and will take place on the Friday evening instead, kick-off time 7.35pm.
The December 21 fixture will be broadcast on Premier Sports and S4C.
The Bluebirds match against Jose Mourinho’s side is a guaranteed sell-out at Cardiff City Stadium and would have hit the Arms Park gate after being switched to a 5.30pm kick-off.
By bringing the rugby clash forward a day, Blues officials are enabling fans of the two capital city teams to watch the two games.
It’s traditional for Cardiff City to switch fixtures to avoid clashes with big rugby games involving Wales, but it doesn’t happen in reverse often.
“Following confirmation of a direct clash with Cardiff City’s Premier League match with Manchester United, it (our game) has been brought forward,” confirmed the Blues in a statement.
The Blues go into the Christmas derby on the back of a Euro double-header against Saracens. They will be going for an eighth consecutive victory over their East Wales rivals.
CARDIFF Blues have giant No.8 Nick Williams back in their starting line-up for tomorrow’s Champions Cup clash against Glasgow at the Arms Park (3.15pm)
The former Ulster powerhouse starts in place of the injured Josh Navidi and will be alongside Olly Robinson and Ellis Jenkins in the back row. Coach John Mulvihill has made three other changes following his team’s superb opening pool victory away to Lyon last weekend.
George Earle come back into second row at the expense of Macauley Cook, where he will partner Josh Turnbull, Rey Lee-Lo is at inside-centre instead of Garyn Smith and Aled Summerhill will fill in for the crocked Owen Lane on the wing.
Mulvihill said: “Last week’s performance was superb and we were deserving of what was a really good win to kick-off the competition.
“It was a hugely-physical game and it came at a cost with a few boys injured but with the strength in depth we are developing in the squad we have quality players to come in.
“After beating Lyon and getting that win on the road, it is vitally important that we back it up at home and it promises to be an awesome occasion at the Arms Park.
“It means a huge amount to us to be back in the Champions Cup and it will be the first game at the Arms Park in this competition for a number of years. I’m sure it will be bouncing in Cardiff.
“Glasgow are quality opposition, one of the most consistent teams in the PRO14 and we will need to be firing on all cylinders.”
The starting line-up also contains the four players who were called up to Wales’ squad for the autumn internationals – Dillon Lewis, Williams, Jenkins and Gareth Anscombe.
Meanwhile Dave Rennie wants more of the same from Glasgow in Cardiff.
Warriors put in a brave display against Saracens in their Pool Three opener but were edged out 13-3 at Scotstoun.
But coach Rennie said: “We were happy with our physicality and the effort we saw against Saracens.
“We’ll need to be just as aggressive against Cardiff who picked up a good win in France in Round One.”
Gareth Anscombe; AledSummerhill, Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo, Jason Harries; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Rhys Gill, Kristian Dacey, Dillon Lewis, George Earle, Josh Turnbull, Olly Robinson, Ellis Jenkins (capt), Nick Williams. Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Brad Thyer, Scott Andrews, Rory Thornton, Samu Manoa, Lloyd Williams, Garyn Smith, Matthew Morgan.
Tommy Seymour; Lee Jones, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson, DTH van der Merwe; Adam Hastings, Ali Price; Oli Kebble, Fraser Brown, D’Arcy Rae; Rob Harley, Jonny Gray; Ryan Wilson, Callum Gibbins, Matt Ferguson. Replacements: George Turner, Alex Allan, Petrus du Plessis, Scott Cummings, Chris Fusaro, George Horne, Pete Horne, Niko Matawalu.
Cardiff Blues: Glasgow: Referee:
Luke Pearce (RFU).