Wales stars are back to give Blues cup boost
CARDIFF Blues have been boosted by the return of a host of Wales’s Six Nations title winners for their European Challenge Cup last-16 clash with London Irish this evening (5.30pm kick-off).
Josh Navidi, Tomos Williams, Josh Adams, Willis Halaholo, Cory Hill and James Botham all featured in the dramatic Championship clash with France in Paris two weeks ago.
They are joined by fellow Welsh squad members Hallam Amos, Jarrod Evans, Dillon Lewis, Rhys Carre and Lloyd Williams in the matchday 23 for the knockout showdown at Brentford Community Stadium.
Scrum-half Tomos Williams makes his 100th appearance for the Arms Park outfit, while Josh Turnbull continues as captain, fresh from his inclusion as the only Welsh player in the PRO14 team of the season.
No. 8 Turnbull is joined in the back row by Wales duo Navidi and Botham, with Ellis Jenkins not considered for selection due to a tight groin.
Wing Owen Lane (hamstring), No. 8 Sam Moore (knee) and lock Teddy Williams (shoulder) are also sidelined, along with longer-term absentees Shane Lewis-hughes (shoulder), Aled Summerhill (wrist), Brad Thyer (calf), Will Boyde (orbital fracture), Garyn Smith (knee) and Mason Grady (knee).
Director of rugby Dai Young has made 10 changes in all from the team that recorded a bonus-point victory over Edinburgh in the final PRO14 game of the season.
If Cardiff come out on top against London Irish, they will face either Bath or Zebre in the quarter-finals.
Young said: “It is obviously great to welcome our full Wales Six Nations contingent back for London Irish and they give us real quality and depth.
“There has been a real bounce and increase in intensity in training this week, not only due to their return following a Six Nations title but the fact that this is a knockout game in European rugby.
“We had plenty of selection headaches and have picked the strongest possible 23 to face a strong London Irish outfit. There’s a lot of impact on the bench and they will be equally important as the starting XV.
“Irish have a lot of big name players and caps, play an attacking brand of rugby and have enjoyed some good form so it certainly makes for an exciting encounter.
“These are the games you play for. You always want to be in contention at the business end of the season. This is a must-win game and we have the opportunity to go a step further.
“The boys are highly motivated and this will be a great gauge to see where we are in our continued improvement.”
The Blues’ opponents feature some familiar international names in the likes of Agustin Creevy, Paddy Jackson, Nick Phipps, Blair Cowan and Lions Test star Sean O’brien.
The Ospreys welcome Newcastle Falcons to the Liberty at 3pm tomorrow in the Challenge Cup, the Dragons are also in Challenge Cup action tomorrow when they host Northampton Saints at 5.30pm, while the Scarlets are in Champions Cup action on Sunday against Sale at Parc y Scarlets (5.30pm).
Cardiff Blues: M Morgan; J Adams, R Lee-lo, W Halaholo, Hallam Amos; J Evans, T Williams; C Domachowski, Kristian Dacey, D Lewis, S Davies, C Hill, J Navidi, J Botham, J Turnbull (capt). Reps: L Belcher, R Carre, D Arhip, R Thornton, O Robinson, L Williams, B Thomas, J Harries.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia).