Following their call-ups to the Wales squad for the RBS Six Nations, Tom Shanklin and Robert Sidoli have been made available to play for the Cardiff Blues in this Friday's Magners League clash against the Glasgow Warriors (kick off 7.30pm).
The Blues have nine players in the Welsh squad, seven of which are unavailable for selection for Friday nights match. There are in fact six changes to the starting fifteen that defeated Bourgoin last weekend, with Ed Fairhurst and Mosese Luveitasau returning in the Backs alongside Tom Shanklin.
Amongst the Forwards Gareth Williams, Rhys Shellard and Ben White are given starts as Director of Coaching David Young shuffles his pack amid international call-ups. The game against Glasgow will also see the return of Bradley Davies to the bench having recovered from his ankle injury.
Ben Blair will be hoping his incredible rate of points accumulation continues this season as he is only 9 points short of the 200 mark for Cardiff Blues, including 97 points in the Magners League.
Bradley Davies and Duane Goodfield took time out of their busy schedules to visit the new after schools project E3+ at Coedylan Comprehensive today. Hundreds of young people are benefiting from the ground breaking new initiative being piloted by Rhondda Cynon Taf. The after E3+ school project offers pupils the chance to take part in many activities including Quad biking, Archery, Dance, Photography and Canoeing as well as the more traditional activities like Drama, Rugby and Netball.
Speaking at the launch Davies a former pupil at Y Pant comprehensive which will join the E3+ project in September said,
I was always a mad sports fan when I was at school so to have activities like the ones available today would have been great.
"What is great is that the kids can try a variety of things and maybe find a sport that really suits them and that they would enjoy. Its been a frustrating time for me not being able to play over the last few weeks, but Im pleased to be back and looking forward to hopefully getting some game time up in Scotland
There is a late change to the Cardiff Blues team with Marc Stcherbina moving to number 13 and Dafydd Hewitt taking his place on the bench for tomorrow nights match against Glasgow Wariors. Tom Shanklin has not fully recovered from his thigh strain and failed a fitness test.
Cardiff Blues Team: Ben Blair, Tom James, Marc Stcherbina, Nick Macloed, Mosese Luveitasau, Nick Robinson, Ed Fairhurst, Xavier Rush (c), Rhys Shellard, Ben White, Robert Sidoli, Deiniol Jones, Gary Powell, Gareth Williams, Taufaao Filise
Replacements: Scott Roberts, Duane Goodfield, Bradley Davies, Mark Lewis, Wayne Evans, Dai Flannigan, Dafydd Hewitt