Evans back as Cardiff face Lions

OUTSIDE-HALF Jarrod Evans has recovered from a head knock and will make his 100th appearance for Cardiff Rugby against Lions today (2pm).

Director of Rugby Dai Young has made five changes from last week’s 48-12 defeat to Ulster in Belfast.

In come full-back Matthew Morgan, Ben Thomas, and forwards Corey Domachowski, Shane Lewis-Hughes and Will Boyde.

Wales flanker Ellis Jenkins will start on the bench for the United Rugby Championship game in Johannesburg.

Jenkins was released from the Wales squad this week having only featured in the opening game of the Six Nations, but Young says he can use back-toback club games in South Africa to re-start his season.

“Of course he’s disappointed but the best way for him is to be involved in these two games and keep on pushing his case forward,” said Young.

“He won’t dwell on it. It’s something this squad has to get used to.

“A number of the squad have been disappointed because they haven’t been involved - I emphasise it all the time. Just worry about your Cardiff performance, Wales selection is out of your hands.”

Willis Halaholo played against Ulster but has now returned to the Wales camp so centre Thomas comes in to partner Rey Lee-Lo who will be making his 100th appearance in the United Rugby Championship.

The Lions, captained by Springbok flanker Jaco Kriel, welcome back lock Reinhard Nothnagel and brothers Vincent and Emmanuel Tshituka who all missed last month’s 21-13 defeat at Leinster.

This fixture was originally scheduled for November but was postponed following the emergence of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, leaving Cardiff temporarily stranded in Johannesburg and having to isolate in England before returning to Wales.

LIONS: Quan Horn; Stean Pienaar, Wandisile Simelane, Burger Odendaal, Edwill van der Merwe; Jordan Hendrikse, Morne van den Berg; Sti Sithole, Jaco Visagie, Carlu Sadie, Ruben Schoeman, Reinhard Nothnagel, Jaco Kriel (capt), Vincent Tshituka, Francke Horn. Reps: PJ Botha, JP Smith, Ruan Dreyer, Ruan Venter, Emmanuel Tshituka, Nico Steyn, Manuel Rass,

Tiaan Swanepoel.

CARDIFF RUGBY: Matthew

Morgan; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo,

Ben Thomas, Aled Summerhill;

Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Corey Domachowski, Kirby Myhill, Dmitri Arhip, Josh Turnbull (capt), Matthew Screech, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Will Boyde, James Botham. Reps: Kristian Dacey, Brad Thyer, Will Davies-King, Rory Thornton, Ellis Jenkins, Jamie

Hill, Max Llewellyn, Hallam Amos.