Director of Coaching David Young has announced the team for the second Cardiff Blues pre-season friendly against Bristol Rugby this Friday at the Memorial Ground, Bristol (kick off 7.30pm).
The team that travels across the Severn Bridge to face newly promoted Guinness Premiership outfit Bristol shows five changes, including one positional from the starting fifteen that beat Pontypridd at Sardis Road last weekend.
Rhys Williams will captain the team against Richard Hill's Bristol side in a match that will provide a stern test for the Blues ahead of the season opener in Galway against Connacht. Following victory against Pontypridd, Cardiff Blues will be keen to step up their game to meet the challenge of Bristol prior to the start of the Celtic League season on Saturday 3rd September. Bristol have so far beaten Coventry and lost to Harlequins during their pre-season.
New signing Mike Phillips will make his first start for the Blues, plus Craig Morgan, Robin Sowden Taylor and Martyn Jones come into the team. Nick Gill try scorer last weekend drops to the bench as does Ben Evans. Indeed the replacements include an good mix of new recruits, experience, promising young talent and three Wales internationals from the Summer tour.
BRISTOL V CARDIFF BLUES
FRIDAY 26 AUGUST 7:30PM KICK OFF MEMORIAL GROUND, BRISTOL
Team
Backs: Matthew Nuthall, Chris Czekaj, Rhys Williams (C), Tristan Davies, Craig Morgan, Nick Macleod, Michael Phillips
Forwards: Nathan Llewellyn, Gareth Williams, Martyn Jones, Deiniol Jones, James Goode, Maama Molitika, Mark Lewis, Robin Sowden-Taylor
Replacements
Nick Gill, Lee Thomas, Dai Flanagan, Nicky Robinson, Rhys Shellard, Andy Powell, Robert Sidoli, Craig Quinnell, Ben Evans, Rhys Thomas