Rookie Bradley set for call-up for the Blues
CARDIFF Blues will be without no fewer than seven back row forwards when they take on Guinness PRO14 champions Leinster in Dublin tomorrow (5.15pm), with a rookie Academy player to make his debut.
Josh Navidi, Shane Lewis-Hughes and James Botham are all away on Wales duty, with Botham being drafted straight in to win his first cap against Georgia on Saturday following his call-up to the squad earlier this week.
In addition, Olly Robinson (shoulder), Will Boyde (cheekbone) and Sam Moore are all sidelined through injury, along with long-term absentee Ellis Jenkins.
Two other players who could move into the back row - Seb Davies and Cory Hill - are also unavailable as they are in the Wales 23 to face the Georgians.
That leaves the Blues with just two specialist back rowers in Josh Turnbull and Alun Lawrence, who will be joined by lock James Ratti in the breakaway unit at the RDS.
Then, on the bench, there will be a first outing for young openside flanker Gwilym Bradley, who is yet to make a senior appearance for the region.
The 20-year-old Bradley was born in England and raised in Kingstonon-Thames, playing his junior rugby for Cobham RFC before linking up with London Irish.
But his mother is from Newport, which brought him to the attention of the Welsh Exiles programme and led to him playing for Wales U19s.
Having joined the Blues on an Academy contract at the beginning of this year, he went on to make four appearances for Wales in the U20s Six Nations championship.
He then impressed in the A-game against the Dragons last month and now coach John Mulvihill is ready to throw in him for his debut against mighty Leinster.
“We are looking forward to seeing what he can bring for however long he gets on the pitch this weekend,” said Mulvihill.
“He’s certainly excited about the opportunity.”
Outlining the back row injuries in the squad, the Aussie coach said: “Will Boyde will have surgery on his cheekbone next week and he will be two weeks after that.
“Olly Robinson just got a bit of a jolt to his elbow that went up through his shoulder. He has had an MRI, no damage, just a couple of weeks.
“We are hoping to get Sam Moore back on the park next week.”
There’s good news over Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams, who is fit to return against unbeaten Conference A leaders Leinster following the shoulder damage he picked up in August.
With hookers Liam Belcher and Kirby Myhill sidelined through injury, young Iestyn Harris will join Bradley in making his debut in Dublin.
The Blues will be looking to build on the encouraging performance which produced a 22-5 win over Benetton at Rodney Parade on Monday.