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Roberts and Scully among eight changes made for Munster clash

29th September 2017


Jack Roberts makes his competitive debut for Cardiff Blues as one of eight changes for the Guinness PRO14 trip to Munster on Saturday (KO 1.30pm, live on Sky Sports)

The Blues kick-started their 2017-18 campaign with a hard-fought victory in Connacht last weekend and they have reshuffled their side for their latest trip to Ireland.
 
Four of those changes come alongside Roberts in the back line, with Blaine Scully returning from injury to captain the side and Tomos Willams and Jarrod Evans forming an exciting half-back partnership.
 
Up front, Matthew Rees returns to start at hooker, James Down and George Earle pack down at second-row and Olly Robinson steps up from the bench following an impressive debut last week.
 
Following a first competitive win of the season, Matt Sherratt insists there is added confidence in camp but he knows Munster present a formidable challenge and the focus must be on continued improvement.
 
Backs and attack coach Sherratt said: "Winning makes a massive difference. It's a result based business. People come into training a little bit more buoyant.
 
"We've not gone overboard because if Jarrod misses that kick (against Connacht), it's a different feeling.
 
"You have to stay processed, because it's too long a season to get too massively high or massively low after a result. We weren't the worst team in the championship after Edinburgh and we're not the best team in the championship after Connacht.
 
"We need to keep getting better every week, but having a win gives you a spring in your step and makes you look forward to the next game a little bit more
 
"Munster are one of the leading teams in Europe away from home and they're due to have their British and Irish Lions back playing.
 
"It's a really competitive championship this season and it doesn't get any more competitive than Munster away.”
 
The Limerick-based outfit fell to a heavy defeat at the hands of Glasgow Warriors last week and will be eager to put matters right.
 
But Sherratt believes the Blues must take confidence from a victory in Cork last season and summon the same spirit and determination.
 
He added: “It’s a different game, we can allude to last year when we went there, certainly not as favourites but with a chance and came away with a win.
 
“We have to go there, be positive and try to build on the Connacht performance.”
 
Cardiff Blues team to face Munster: Rhun Williams; Blaine Scully (capt), Jack Roberts, Willis Halaholo, Tom James; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Brad Thyer, Matthew Rees, Taufa’ao Filise, George Earle, James Down, Josh Turnbull, Olly Robinson, Nick Williams.
 
Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Corey Domachowski, Keiron Assiratti, Seb Davies, Macauley Cook, Lloyd Williams, Steven Shingler, Matthew Morgan

The following players were unavailable for selection:
Damian Welch
Rhys Gill
Kristian Dacey
Josh Navidi
Gethin Jenkins
Gareth Anscombe
Anton Peikrishvili
Kirby Myhill
Dillon Lewis
Ellis Jenkins
Sam Warburton