Internationals back for Blues as they hunt Ulster success

SAMU Manoa is handed a first start as the Cardiff Blues welcome back three of their Wales contingent for a trip to Belfast to face Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium today (3pm).

Tomos Williams and Dillon Lewis are named on the bench after being heavily involved in Wales’ autumn campaign. Ellis Jenkins and Gareth Anscombe, miss out through injury.

Jenkins will have surgery after suffering a significant knee injury, while Anscombe is out with a minor foot injury.

Seb Davies, who started at No.8 against Tonmga, plays in the second row.

Manoa’s first start since his move from Toulon is one of six changes from the side that lost in Glasgow last week, with Matthew Morgan stepping in at full-back and Rey Lee-Lo and Harri Millard coming into midfield.

In the pack, props Scott Andrews and Rhys Gill are introduced to the front row.

Blues head coach John Mulvihill said: “This week will be important once again and then we can park the PRO14 before we start again, back into Europe.

“We have a strong leadership group still involved in the programme but our on-field leadership needs to step up this week. Ulster will give us a lot of opportunities so we need to make sure we’re in the right positions to take them.

“I’m looking for the likes of Jarrod Evans and Steven Shingler to take responsibility when they’re on the field, as well as boys like Josh Turnbull who will step up to become an even more important player than he already is.

“You’ll always get leadership from Olly [Robinson] but I’d hope that guys like Tomos Williams and Dillon Lewis, who have had Test match rugby recently, will bring that form and intensity to our game as well.

“Obviously Ellis Jenkins is out injured and Gareth Anscombe has a minor foot injury that will need a week to recover from, and he should be ready to go for Saracens.”

As for Lewis, he is delighted to be back in regional colours, knowing that a strong showing over the next few months could only strengthen his Wales ambitions.

“For me, it’s my biggest season to date. One of my biggest issues in the past has been not playing regularly for Cardiff Blues, and not playing well,” said Lewis.

“I’ve still got a massive point to prove in terms of regional rugby, and that’s why I’m very keen to get out there as much as I can and play regular.

“I’m really enjoying my rugby at the moment, which is why I want to play this weekend and continue that going forward.

“I play better after getting a run of games and playing regular minutes.

“The competition is good here, and there is a good and healthy rotation going on at the moment, and the boys are pushing each other every day.

“I had a lot more experience during the autumn than I thought I’d have. Going into the series, there were four tightheads with two positions up for grabs on matchday.

“I was fortunate to pick up three games out of four and get a start as well.

“It was a massive experience for me, my first taste of an autumn series and I loved every minute of it.

“We managed to make it four from four and create a bit of history. The boys were really happy and obviously the coaches expressed how happy they were at the end of the block.”

The prop is expecting a tough game in Northern Ireland, and believes it’s important for the side to build momentum ahead of next week’s Heineken Champions Cup clash against Saracens.

Lewis said: “I spoke to Mulvers [John Mulvihill] last week, before the South Africa game, and he asked me how I was feeling.

“I said that I was feeling good and if I came through the last game then I’d want to play in Belfast.

“I’m keen to get back in the mix here, because it’s a big eight-week block where