There is a new back row to the team that lost to Glasgow with Xavier Rush returning to the team following the birth of his baby boy last Friday. He is joined by Martyn Williams who has recovered from a rib injury and Michael Paterson who has recovered from a shoulder injury. There are two changes in the front row with Marc Breeze starting for the injured Ryan Tyrell and Gethin Jenkins coming in for John Yapp.
There are two changes in the backs with Dafydd Hewitt coming in for the injured Jamie Roberts and Dan Parks replacing Ceri Sweeney.
Speaking ahead of the match Cardiff Blues Backs Coach Gareth Baber said,
“It has been documented that Jamie is injured, which is a blow for us, but we have two players, Dafydd Hewitt and Gavin Evans, who have epitomised exactly the culture that Justin and I are trying to develop here.”
“Players who want to make sure we go as far as we can as a group and are professional until the end.”
“These are two players you need around your group to push them on, you also have people like Gethin Jenkins and Michael Paterson who are ultimate competitors, who want to be recognised for how competitive they are.”
“They are solely focused on making sure there is a performance from ourselves at the Aviva.”
Justin Burnell Cardiff Blues Forwards Coach added,
“The real focus this week is getting back in to the mind set we were in at the pool stages of the Heineken group, when we won five out of six.”
“When you think about it we have the likes of Cuthbert, Halfpenny, Casey Laulala and Tom James, who can match them in the wide and individual channels, if the possession is right. It’s something we are confident we can put right before the weekend.”15. Leigh Halfpenny 14. Alex Cuthbert 13. Casey Laulala 12. Dafydd Hewitt 11. Tom James 10. Dan Parks 9. Lloyd Williams
8. Xavier Rush (c) 7. Martyn Williams 6. Michael Paterson 5. James Down 4. Bradley Davies 3. Scott Andrews 2. Marc Breeze 1. Gethin Jenkins
16. Kristian Dacey 17. John Yapp 18. Sam Hobbs 19. Macauley Cook 20. Maama Molitika 21. Richie Rees 22. Ceri Sweeney 23. Gavin Evans
Not available for selection
Ryan Tyrrel - ankle
Jamie Roberts - knee
Sam Warburton - shoulder
T Rhys Thomas - neck
Paul Tito – Head
Richard Mustoe - hip
Fau Filise - shoulder
Andries Pretorius - knee
Deiniol Jones – shoulders