Wilson rings the changes as Blues face big test in Munster
DANNY Wilson’s first team selection since announcing he will be leaving Cardiff Blues at the end of the season has seen him make sweeping changes.
Even though the Blues claimed their first win of the league campaign away to Connacht last weekend, Wilson has decided to shake things up for the return to Ireland.
He has made no fewer than eight changes for today’s testing encounter with Munster at Limerick’s Thomond Park (1.30pm).
There’s a competitive debut for north Walian centre Jack Roberts, who came on board from Leicester in the summer, and a first start for flanker Olly Robinson.
The son of former England, Scotland and Lions coach Andy Robinson, openside Olly was brought in on loan from Championship club Bristol as cover for long-term injured duo Sam Warburton and Ellis Jenkins.
He impressed with his prodigious tackle count off the bench in last Saturday’s 17-15 victory out in Galway and now steps up to wear No 7.
There are also first starts of the season for fit-again winger Blaine Scully, who captains the side, halfbacks Tomos Williams and Jarrod Evans and second rows James Down and George Earle.
Young Rhun Williams continues at full-back and says the victory over Connacht has given the squad a welcome lift after defeats in their first three PRO14 matches.
“It makes a huge difference having won last weekend,” said the 20-yearold.
“The boys were all hungry for that first win of the season and it’s given us and the coaches a massive boost.
“It has seen more energy and enthusiasm in training and within the squad.
“But we know we have to put our heads down and put all our focus now on the Munster match.
“You know when you’ve got a trip away to Ireland that it’s going to be a tough one, whichever team you face.
“As a group, we are very close in terms of players and staff, and go into every game fighting for each other.”
Attack coach Matt Sherratt added: “Winning makes a massive difference. It’s a result based business. People come into training a little bit more buoyant.
“We’ve not gone overboard. You have to stay processed, because it’s too long a season to get too massively high or massively low after a result.
“We weren’t the worst team in the championship after Edinburgh and we’re not the best team in the championship after Connacht.
“We need to keep getting better every week, but having a win gives you a spring in your step and makes you look forward to the next game a little bit more.
“Munster are one of the leading teams in Europe away from home and they’re due to have their British and Irish Lions back playing.
“It’s a really competitive championship this season and it doesn’t get any more competitive than playing Munster away.
“But we have to go there, be positive and try to build on the Connacht performance.”
The Blues’ task is made all the tougher with Munster having their Lions contingent of Conor Murray, CJ Stander and captain Peter O’Mahony back on duty, while the Ireland front row trio of Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell and John Ryan also returning.
There’s a familiar face in their second row, with former Arms Park favourite Robin Copeland making his first start of the season, while replacement back JJ Hanrahan is in line for his first Munster appearance since 2015 having rejoined from Northampton. Munster: Andrew Conway; Darren Sweetnam, Jaco Taute, Rory Scannell, Alex Wootton; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, John Ryan, Robin Copeland, Billy Holland, Peter O’Mahony (capt), CJ Stander, Tommy O’Donnell. Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Liam O’Connor, Stephen Archer, Mark Flanagan, Sean McCarthy, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Chris Farrell. Cardiff Blues: Rhun Williams; Blaine Scully, Jack Roberts, Willis Halaholo, Tom James; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Brad Thyer, Matthew Rees, Taufa’ao Filise, George Earle, James Down, Josh Turnbull, Nick Williams, Olly Robinson. Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Corey Domachowski, Kieron Assiratti, Seb Davies, Macauley Cook, Lloyd Williams, Steven Shingler, Matthew Morgan.