CARDIFF BLUES v CONNACHT

Today, 1.05pm, Arms Park

W ELSH international Tom James is set to make his first Cardiff Blues appearance since early December after being named on the bench to face Connacht today.

The speedster has spent an extended period on the sidelines with illness, but is now fit and firing ahead of the Guinness Pro12 clash.

Following a fortnight of AngloWelsh Cup action, the Blues’ focus shifts back to climbing the Pro12 table towards the top six and they’re bolstered by the return of some big names.

Kristian Dacey and Scott Andrews have been released from the Wales camp with the hooker being thrown straight back into the starting lineup. Lloyd Williams will captain the team from scrum-half and he’s partnered by fellow international Gareth Anscombe at fly-half.

Steve Shingler and Rey Lee-Lo form a midfield duo, with Rhun Williams, Blaine Scully and Matthew Morgan completing a different backline to the one that faced Worcester last week.

Rhys Gill and Anton Peikrishvili join Dacey in the front row and James Down – the only survivor from last week’s Anglo-Welsh Cup match – is joined by Jarrad Hoeata in the second row.

Niyi Adeolokun marks his 50th appearance for Connacht, starting in a back three with fellow Irish internationals Tiernan O’Halloran and Matt Healy.

Stacey Ili has returned from injury to form a centre partnership with Craig Ronaldson while Jack Carty and John Cooney are named at half back.

Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney and JP Cooney pack down in the front row with Quinn Roux and James Cannon, who this week signed a twoyear contract extension, partnering in the second row.

John Muldoon captains from the Number 8 position with Sean O’Brien and Jake Heenan alongside him. CARDIFF BLUES: M Morgan; B Scully, R Lee-Lo, S Shingler, R Williams; G Anscombe, L Williams (capt); R Gill, K Dacey, A Peikrishvili, J Hoeata, J Down, M Cook, J Navidi, N Williams. Reps: M Rees, M Thomas, S Andrews, S Davies, S Bennett, T Williams, W Halaholo, T James. CONNACHT: T O’Halloran; N Adeolokun, S Ili, C Ronaldson, M Healy; J Carty, J Cooney; D Buckley, T McCartney, JP Cooney, Q Roux, J Cannon, S O’Brien, J Heenan, J Muldoon (capt).