CABANGO LINED UP TO MAKE BOW IN THE URC

THEO Cabango will make his United Rugby Championship debut today as Dai Young makes six changes ahead of the clash with DHL Stormers in Cape Town (KO 12.00pm).

The academy wing made his firstteam debut for the Blue and Blacks during the Heineken Champions Cup double-header in December, and has impressed for the Rags since, topping the Indigo Group Premiership try-scoring charts.

Cabango replaces Aled Summerhill on the wing, who is ruled out with concussion, while Jason Harries is also brought into the back three with Matthew Morgan retaining his spot at full-back.

Rey Lee-Lo, who was another casualty from the defeat to Emirates Lions at Cape Town, is sidelined and replaced by Max Llewellyn, who partners Ben Thomas in midfield.

Kristian Dacey will wear the number two jersey, making hisfirst start of the season, alongside Corey Domachowski and Dmitri Arhip in the front row.

Rory Thornton links up with Matthew Screech at second row, which sees captain Josh Turnbull switching to the back row. Welsh international Ellis Jenkins replaces Will Boyde on the openside.

“The initial thing for us with the younger players was to bring these guys out, not necessarily for experience. We knew, with one or two injuries, that these guys could figure, and that’s the case with Theo,” said director of rugby, Young.

“You can see, week-on-week, that they’re developing and getting more experience.

“They’re playing at that level, and they don’t look out of place at all at our level. We’re determined, between now and the end of the season, to give them some game-time.”

He continued: “The tempo and physicality of the Stormers’ game will be a real test for us. Set-piece will always be a challenge.

“We’ve obviously got to win collisions early doors in phases and make sure they’re playing off slow-ish ball. That will give us the chance to halt their go-forward.

“For me, it’s all about the gain line, physicality and winning collisions. If they get quick ball it could be a long night for us.”

Scrum -half Ellis Bevan is in-line for his first outing of the season from the bench, as academy products Teddy Williams, Garyn Smith and Keiron Assiratti return to the squad.

DHL STORMERS: Warrick Gelant, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel, Damian Willemse, Leolin Zas, Manie Libbok, Herschel Jantjies, Steven Kitshoff

Theo Cabango has had experience in Europe for Cardiff this season (c), Scarra Ntubeni, Brok Harris, Adre Smith, Marvin Orie, Deon Fourie, Hacjivah Dayimani, Evan Roos. Reps: Chad Solomon, Ali Vermaak, Neethling Fouche, Ernst van Rhyn, Junior Pokomela, Paul de Wet, Tim Swiel, Rikus Pretorius. CARDIFF RUGBY: Matthew Morgan; Jason Harries, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Theo Cabango; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Corey Domachowski, Kristian Dacey, Dmitri Arhip, Matthew Screech, Rory Thornton, Josh Turnbull (c), Ellis Jenkins, James Botham Replacements: Keiron Assiratti, Brad Thyer, Will DaviesKing, Teddy Williams, Will Boyde, Ellis Bevan, Garyn Smith, Hallam Amos. REF: Sam Grove-White (Scotland).