All change for the Cardiff Blues as David Young names a team showing nine changes from the side that defeated Ulster last Friday.
Border Reivers v Cardiff Blues
Friday 27 April 7.30pm kick off Magners League
The Blues travel to the Borders on Friday in what is a must win match if they are to keep their Magners League title aspirations alive. In the forwards Robin-Sowden Taylor, Deiniol Jones, Scott Morgan and Gary Powell all return to the starting line up. Gary Powell comes in for Taufaao Filise who broke a bone in his hand in the win against Ulster. Filise will be out for the rest of the season. Scott Morgan will play in second row as he did in the home win against Borders in January. Rob Sidoli is recovering from a rib injury but should be in contention for the Dragons match next week.
In the backs Ed Fairhurst, Nicky Robinson, Tom Shanklin and Mosese Luveitasau all start with Nick Macleod moving to full back. With big games against Welsh rivals the Dragons and the Scarlets next week Ben Blair, Marc Stcherbina, Chris Caekaj and Mike Phillips are all rested.
Blues Team: Nick Macleod, Rhys Williams, Jamie Robinson, Tom Shanklin (c), Mosese Luveitasau, Nicky Robinson, Ed Fairhurst, Mark Lewis, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Andy Powell, Scott Morgan, Deiniol Jones, Gary Powell, T Rhys Thomas, Gethin Jenkins
Replacements: Scott Roberts, Gareth Williams, Bradley Davies, Xavier Rush, Mike Phillips, Dafydd Hewitt, Tom Riley
Borders Team: Stuart Moffat, Dougie Flockhart, Garry Law, Bryan Rennie, Nick De Luca, Gregor Townsend, Chris Cusiter, Gavin Kerr, Ross Ford , Ed Kalman, Stuart Grimes, Craig Hamilton, Opeta Palepoi, Kelly Brown, John Dalziel
Replacements: Steve Scott/Sean Crombie, Bruce Douglas, Richie Vernon, Andy Miller, Rob Chrystie, Scott Gray, Steve Jones