Cardiff Blues make five changes ahead of Saturday clash

Posted on Sep 30, 2011 in Cardiff Blues, Welsh Rugby

Cardiff Blues have made five changes for their match against Glasgow Warriors this Saturday.

The Blues will be aiming to get back to winning ways when they take on Glasgow Warriors this Saturday, 1st of October, 6.30pm kick off, in the RaboDirect PRO12.

Chris Czekaj returns to fullback having recovered from a shoulder injury, while Tom James returns to the wing having overcome his calf problem. There are two other changes in the backs with Casey Laulala and Lewis Jones starting, with Dafydd Hewitt and Richie Rees on the bench.

There is one change in the forwards with Rhys Williams starting at hooker in place of the injured T Rhys Thomas who underwent surgery on his knee and is likely to be out for four to six weeks.

Tickets for the Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors match are available online at www.cardiffblues.com/tickets or by calling the Ticket Office on 0845 345 1400, starting from £17 for seniors in the unreserved area.

Cardiff Blues 15. Chris Czekaj 14. Alex Cuthbert 13. Casey Laulala 12. Gavin Evans 11. Tom James 10. Ceri Sweeney 9. Lewis Jones

8. Xavier Rush 7. Maama Molitika 6. Michael Paterson 5. Deiniol Jones 4. Paul Tito ( c) 3. Scott Andrews 2. Rhys Williams 1. Sam Hobbs

16. Ieuan Davies 17. Nathan Trevett 18. Ryan Harford 19. James Down 20. Thomas Young 21. Richie Rees 22. Gareth Davies 23. Dafydd Hewitt

Martyn Williams – shoulder
Andries Pretorius – hamstring
John Yap – calf
Ben Blair – knee
Gareth Williams – neck
Kristian Dacey – shoulder

Richie Rees is back

Posted on Apr 1, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Having missed the entire Six Nations campaign, Richie Rees will make his first start since his 12 week ban started at the beginning of January. Rees was suspended after being found guilty of foul play, in that he had made contact with the eye/eye area of England international Dylan Hartley during the Cardiff Blues v Northampton Saints, Heineken Cup match in December.

Coincidentally his last start for the Blues was against the Ospreys on New Year’s Eve, when the Blues recorded a 27-25 point victory.

Other changes in the backs sees Tom James return having recovered from a minor foot injury. Jamie Roberts starts at Centre with Dafydd Hewitt moving to the bench and Dan Parks at Outside-half with Ceri Sweeney also moving to the bench.

Saturday’s match against the Ospreys will also see Cardiff Blues full back, Chris Czekaj, notch up his 100th game for the Blues in the week that he signed a new contract extension with the region.

There are three changes in the forwards with Bradley Davies starting in the second row and Gareth Williams returning from a calf injury. Fau Filise also returns from an Achilles injury.

The Blues travel to Swansea knowing it’s a must win game for them if they have ambitions of finish in the top four of the Magners League. They are currently in fifth place, five points behind the Ospreys, but with a game in hand.

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Halfpenny and Thomas claim Wales starts

Posted on Feb 9, 2010 in Rugby News

Wales have made two changes from the starting line-up defeated by England at Twickenham in the RBS 6 Nations opener last weekend for the visit of Scotland to the Millennium Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2.00pm).  In the second row Osprey Jonathan Thomas reforms his regional partnership with Alun-Wyn Jones at the expense of Dragons lock Luke Charteris. In the backs Leigh Halfpenny comes in for his Blues colleague Tom James on the wing.

Gethin Jenkins has recovered from his calf injury to be named on the bench and, in one of three changes there, he joins fellow Blues players Sam Warburton, who covers the back row, and centre or wing Tom Shanklin.

“Jonathan brings over 50 caps of experience to the tight five and offers us some extra mobility around the field,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

“Leigh is a recognised right wing who offers us an extra kicking option and his return to full fitness after limited training in the run up to the England game allows his selection.

“We think we have a very strong bench with the right mix of players each able to make an impact if called upon and are pleased to be able to name Gethin although he will undergo further fitness assessments later in the week.

“Tom Shanklin returns to provide another 65-caps worth of experience as cover for the backs and Sam Warburton comes in as back row cover with JT (Jonathan Thomas) now having been nominated as a starting second row.”

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Young names Blues side to face Gloucester

Posted on Nov 6, 2009 in Rugby News

Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby David Young has selected his side for Sunday afternoon’s LV=Cup game away to Gloucester, 3.00pm kick off.

Speaking ahead of the match Young said,

“The players are certainly looking forward to the Gloucester match.”

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Rush return for Cardiff Blues

Posted on Oct 8, 2009 in Rugby News

Cardiff Blues Number 8 Xavier Rush has been passed fit to play in this Saturday’s Heineken Cup clash against Harlequins at the Cardiff City Stadium.

A real boost for us – Dai Young

Rush, who dislocated his finger in the win over the Scarlets had a successful operation and now has been given the go ahead by medial specialists to play on Saturday.

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