Lewis fronts up as Blues aim to build on opening success
WALES international Dillon Lewis returns to the starting line-up as Cardiff Blues make three changes for today’s Guinness PRO14 encounter against Connacht.
The prop, one of six Cardiff Blues players selected in the Wales squad earlier this week, comes into the starting XV having been a replacement in their win over Zebre last week.
John Mulvihill names an unchanged backline for their clash at Rodney Parade (7.35pm), with hooker Kirby Myhill and flanker Olly Robinson being the other two changes in the pack.
The latter steps in for Josh Turnbull, who was hit with a three-week ban yesterday following his red card.
Prop Corey Domachowski will complete a half century of appearances for his home region.
Jason Tovey needs just 12 points to reach 1,000 in the PRO14
“The performance and result out in Italy last week was really pleasing for us as a group, and everyone who featured showed their maturity and game management to get us over the line in tough conditions after the red card,” said Mulvihill.
“The defence was excellent, while Josh took his try very well, so we can certainly take confidence from that performance as we head into our first home game of the season
“As a group, we’re all looking for consistency, and that starts this week. We won last week, but an important message throughout the week is that we’re not content with that unless we back it up with another good performance this week.
“The changes to the side have been minimal, and we want to reward those boys who have performed well in recent games.
“Connacht will have a similar mindset, after beating Glasgow Warriors in their first game last week.
“We have two sides who are looking to play an attractive brand of rugby so it should make for an entertaining spectacle.
“A special mention too to Corey Domachowski on his 50th appearance for the region.
“It’s easy to forget how young he still is, so to hit that milestone at his age, especially as a prop, is special.
“He’s stepped up over the last 18 months, and we’re proud to see yet another academy product featuring regularly for the club. We’re all delighted for him.”
Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo, Hallam Amos; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Corey Domachowski, Kirby Myhill, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Cory Hill (capt.), Shane Lewis-Hughes, Olly Robinson, James Botham. Reps: Kristian Dacey, Rhys Carre, Dmitri Arhip, Ben Murphy, Alun Lawrence, Lewis Jones, Jason Tovey, Garyn Smith.
Connacht: John Porch, Peter Sullivan, Sammy Arnold, Bundee Aki, Alex Wooton, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham; Gavin Thornbury, Quinn Roux; Eoghan Masterson, Conor Oliver, Jarrad Butler (Capt). Res: Shane Delahunt, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, Ultan Dillane, Paul Boyle, Stephen Kerins, Conor Fitzgerald, Tom Daly.
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy).
Samson Lee will make it a double celebration when he rings up his 150th appearance for the Scarlets, just days after earning a recall to the Wales squad.
The popular tight-head packs down alongside Wyn Jones and Ryan Elias for the Guinness PRO14 date with Glasgow tomorrow (5.15pm).
He has played just once for Wales in 20 months, with injuries not helping his cause, but he looked his old self in the Scarlets’ two August derbies and their European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Toulon.
Ken Owens is named among the replacements as Jonathan Davies leads the side on his second game back from injury.
Scarlets: Leigh Halfpenny; Tom Rogers, Jonathan Davies (Capt), Johnny Williams, Steff Evans; Dan Jones, Gareth Davies; Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Sam Lousi, Blade Thomson, Josh Macleod, Sione Kalamafoni.Reps: Ken Owens, Phil Price, Javan Sebastian, Lewis Rawlins, James Davies, Kieran Hardy, Rhys Patchell, Steff Hughes.