Blues let it rip after poor start to season
CARDIFF Blues head coach John Mulvihill has revealed his players have “ripped into each other” on and off the field in the wake of their latest Guinness PRO14 setback.
The Blues are yet to register a win after three rounds of Championship action and following their return from Italy, where they were beaten late on by both Benetton and Zebre, they held a noholds-barred meeting to discuss their malaise.
“The review was pretty tough, it wasn’t for the faint-hearted,” revealed the Australian, ahead of tonight’s Arms Park clash with Munster (7.35pm).
“They ripped into each other in the meeting and coming out of that, they absolutely ripped into each other in training.
“Physically, they beat each other up a bit which was good.
“It is OK to talk about it, but it is the actions that count and what we witnessed on Tuesday on the field, they are really focused.”
Among those to have their say was Wales’ most-capped international Gethin Jenkins, who is close to making his comeback from injury.
“Certainly, some of the things Gethin said at the meeting were quite confronting for some of the players,” admitted Mulvhill
“There are no problems with honesty in this group.
“Boys took it on board, not just younger players, some of the senior players that it was directed to as well. We will come out the other end with a good performance, I am sure.”
Wales flanker Ellis Jenkins will make his 100th appearance for Cardiff Blues, while Macauley Cook is in line for his 150th if he makes it off the bench.
Jenkins sat out last week’s lastgasp loss to Zebre in Italy, but is one of seven changes for the Arms Park encounter.
Three of those changes come in the backs with Jarrod Evans starting at fly-half and Gareth Anscombe switching to full-back. Willis Halaholo returns to partner Rey Lee-Lo in the centre and Blaine Scully makes his comeback from ankle surgery.
In the pack, Jenkins forms a familiar back row with Nick Williams also returning alongside Josh Navidi.
G Anscombe, B Scully, W Halaholo, R Lee-Lo, J Harries; J Evans, T Williams; R Gill, K Dacey, D Arhip, G Earle, J Turnbull, J Navidi, E Jenkins (capt), N Williams. Reps: K Myhill, R Carre, S Andrews, M Cook, O Robinson, L Williams, G Smith, M Morgan.
JJ Hanrahan; A Conway, J Taute, R Scannell, D Sweetnam; J Carbery, D Williams; J Cronin, M Sherry, S Archer; J Kleyn, T Beirne; P O’Mahony (C), C Cloete, CJ Stander. Reps: D Barron, D Kilcoyne, B Scott, D O’Shea, T O’Donnell, J Stafford, B Johnston, S Daly.
Cardiff Blues: Munster: