Call-ups and casualty list sets challenge for Blues

BT SPORT ARMS PARK 5.15pm CARDIFF BLUES v MUNSTER

CARDIFF Blues are without no fewer than 14 players through international calls and injury for this evening’s Arms Park clash with Pro12 high-fliers Munster (5.15pm).

None of the Blues’ Wales contingent have been released to them for the game, with Sam Warburton, Alex Cuthbert, Kristian Dacey and Scott Andrews all retained in camp.

On top of that, they have a lengthy sick-list which includes the likes Gethin Jenkins, Rey Lee-Lo, Ellis Jenkins, Josh Turnbull, Rhys Gill, Dan Fish and Blaine Scully.

With prop Gill the latest casualty, young Corey Domachowski starts on the loosehead, while Matthew Rees and Aled Summerhill come in for Dacey and Cuthbert at hooker and wing respectively.

One positive is the return to fitness of back rower Josh Navidi, who pulls on the number seven jersey as one of four changes from the side that won away to Edinburgh last weekend.

Scrum-half Lloyd Williams, who scored the match-winning try up in Myreside, continues as captain of the side.

The Blues claimed a 24-23 victory over Munster in Cork back in September, but the Irish province have only lost two league matches since then and lie second in the table.

Coach Danny Wilson said: “It’s a great challenge to try to secure the double over Munster, something which doesn’t present itself season in, season out, and we have that opportunity over the weekend.

“We targeted three wins out of four games. We slipped up in the first game against Connacht at home, which has put a bit of pressure on this last one against Munster.

“Now we really want to achieve that goal and objective to give ourselves the opportunity to be in that top six.

“We know it’s tight and tough to stay in touch with the top six but we remain motivated to finish the season in that position.

“We’ve dropped one or two games at home which we’ve been really disappointed with when compared to last season, but we’ve certainly improved our away record and the Edinburgh game resembled that.

“There was a big commitment and fight from the boys to get over the line and hopefully we can carry that into a big game against Munster.” Cardiff Blues: M Morgan; A Summerhill, W Halaholo, S Shingler, T James; G Anscombe, L Williams (capt); C Domachowski, M Rees, A Peikrishvili, G Earle, J Hoeata, M Cook, N Williams, J Navidi. Reps: K Myhill, M Thomas, T Filise, J Down, S Bennett, T Williams, G Smith, R Williams. Munster: A Conway; D Sweetnam, J Taute, R Scannell, R O’Mahony; I Keatley, D Williams; D Kilcoyne, R Marshall, S Archer; D O’Shea, B Holland (capt), D O’Callaghan, R Copeland, T O’Donnell. Reps: K O’Byrne, P McCabe, B Scott, F Wycherley, C Oliver, A Griesel, D Goggin, Fr Saili. Referee: Mike Adamson (Sco).