Cardiff Blues name side to face Leinster

Posted on Feb 7, 2013

Cardiff Blues go into Friday night’s match having won their last two RaboDirect PRO12 contests against Dragons and Munster.

They face a Leinster side that has won four straight games in all competitions since losing 19-27 to table topping Ulster at Ravenhill on 21st December.

The Leinstermen’s only defeat to a Welsh region in their last five encounters in all competitions was 10-19 at Ospreys in November and they have lost just one of their last twelve clashes with the Blues in all tournaments since 2007.

Speaking ahead of the match Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, Phil Davies, said,

“I think at the end of the day the aim we have, as a region over the next four to five years, is to build a strong squad.

“I have no doubt that we will be stronger going into the end of this season than we were last year. Next season we will be stronger again.

“Leinster are ahead of us in this process but we are heading in the right direction.

“For me, tomorrow’s game has a bit of pride attached to what we have to deliver.

“Over in Dublin it was not a good performance.

“The second half was creditable but the first half we got hammered. I didn’t enjoy that. I didn’t enjoy the game or what happened afterwards.

“We have to lay a strong marker down on Friday. We have to put in a massive performance against one of the top squads in Europe. 

“It is a great challenge for the team. We want to try and win the game and the next few games so we can keep pushing towards the top four.”

Cardiff Blues v Leinster Friday 8 February, 7.30pm kick off. Tickets available by calling 029 2030 2030 or online at www.cardiffblues.com/tickets

15. Jason Tovey 14. Owen Williams 13. Gavin Evans (c) 12. Dafydd Hewitt  11. Harry Robinson 10. Rhys Patchell 9. Lewis Jones

8. Robin Copeland 7. Rory Watts-Jones 6. Michael Paterson 5. James Down  4. Macauley Cook 3. Taufa’ao Filise 2. Rhys Williams 1. Sam Hobbs

16. Marc Breeze 17. Nathan Trevett 18. Scott Andrews 19. Luke Hamilton 20.Josh Navidi 21. Alex Walker 22. Ceri Sweeney 23. Richard Smith 

Not available for selection:
Andi Kyriacou- Neck operation return in April
Dan Fish- Suffered shoulder nerve palsy in match against Zebre. Return mid February
Tom James- Fractured sesamoid (big toe). Surgery to remove pin on Wednesday 5thDecember, return in late February.

LONG TERM
Jake Copper- Woolley- right knee ACL injury 4 months
Tom Davies- ACL knee reconstruction this week, 4 months

Blues make two changes for visit of Sale

Posted on Jan 18, 2013

Blues make two changes for Sale Sharks visit

Cardiff Blues have made two changes to the side that picked up a four try bonus point against Toulon last Saturday. There is one change in the backs with Lloyd Williams returning from suspension to start at scrum half, Lewis Jones moves to the bench. In the forwards Scott Andrews starts in place of Benoit Bourrust who moves to the bench.

Cardiff Arms Park ground staff have been working hard all morning to prepare the pitch with the RAF on standby Saturday morning to help clear the pitch of any overnight snow.

Supporters are advised to look at the Cardiff Blues website, Facebook and Twitter sites for further updates in the morning.

Speaking ahead of the game Phil Davies said,

“Our Heineken Cup campaign started in Sale and it was a ridiculous game to lose.  We played well for sixty minutes, with a great team performance but didn’t get the result we wanted.

“Our position in the group obviously isn’t where we want to be. We want to be making the quarter-finals and in a couple of years time challenging in the competition. At the moment, the reality is that we are a young side and we are gaining valuable experience in all competitions.

“Saturday’s match is a match we want to win for our supporters. Every time we put the shirt on, especially at the Arms Park, it’s our responsibility. We want to try and create our own legacy now, making sure we build on all the great work some of the players and coaches have done here in the past. There is always something to every game we play and the players share that sentiment.”

Adult supporters can purchase terrace tickets for the match for just £10 and juniors just £5. To purchase ticket please visit www.cardiffblues.com/tickets or call 029 2030 2030

15 Leigh Halfpenny 14 Alex Cuthbert 13 Owen Williams 12 Jamie Roberts 11 Harry Robinson 10 Rhys Patchell 9 Lloyd Williams

8 Andries Pretorius (C) 7 Sam Warburton 6 Josh Navidi 5 James Down 4 Lou Reed 3 Scott Andrews 2 Rhys Williams 1 Sam Hobbs

16 Kristian Dacey 17 Nathan Trevett 18 Benoit Bourrust 19 Robin Copeland 20 Michael Paterson 21 Lewis Jones 22 Jason Tovey 23 Dafydd Hewitt

Not available for selection:

Fau Filise- Hamstring injury return late January

Andi Kyriacou- Neck operation return in April

Dan Fish- Suffered shoulder nerve palsy in match against Zebre. Return late January

Tom James- Fractured sesamoid (big toe). Surgery to remove pin on Wednesday 5thDecember, return late January

LONG TERM

Jake Copper- Woolley- right knee ACL injury 4 months

Tom Davies- ACL knee reconstruction this week, 4 months

100 up for Bradley as Cardiff face Ulster

Posted on Sep 27, 2012

Second row forward Bradley Davies will make his 100th appearance for the Blues tomorrow when they face Ulster

Hailing from Llantrisant, the former Pant Comprehensive pupil originally played outside half before moving to the second row and was identified as a 14 year old as a future player when the regions were established.

He progressed well through the system and made his Blues debut on the 27th of January 2006 against Edinburgh.

The Blues go into the match with confidence, with their only defeat in the opening four rounds of this season’s RaboDirect PRO12 a19-21 loss at home to Edinburgh in round two.

Having been victorious in their last two home fixtures with Irish provinces they now face an Ulster side that return to action following the tragic circumstances of last week’s postponement of the clash with Zebre in Italy.

The Ulstermen have won all three PRO12 encounters so far this season, whilst their only defeat in their last five clashes with Welsh regions came in this equivalent fixture last season.

Speaking ahead of the match Phil Davies said,

“Friday I think will be our sternest test against the Heineken Cup finalists.

“It’s going to be Ulster’s first game back since the tragic news they received a fortnight ago about Nevin Spence.

“We are paying due respect to the situation Ulster are in and how they feel by matching that emotion and that level of performance.

“Hopefully we will have a great game as a tribute to a great rugby player and a great Ulsterman.”

Commenting on Bradley Davies becoming a Blues centurion, Davies added,

“Bradley was one of the first players to have come through the system at the Blues, playing age grade rugby for Blues North and Under 18’s before joining the Blues academy.

“He has gone on to perform consistently for the Blues as well as for Wales and I’m sure it’s a big day for him.

“Bradley is one of the stalwarts of the Cardiff Blues and I’d like to congratulate him on reaching a landmark 100 games for the region.”

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Davies selects side for Treviso clash

Posted on Sep 21, 2012

The Blues have started the RaboDirect PRO12 with all three of their fixtures, so far this season, being won by the away side on the day.

The Blues won 16-5 at the Dragons on Friday but have not managed back-to-back victories in the tournament since last February. However, they have a perfect played 13, won 13 record in previous encounters with Italian opponents in all competitions.

Benetton Treviso have slipped to successive PRO12 defeats to Irish powerhouses Munster and Leinster, although the latter reversal was by the narrowest of margins, the Italians  having been in the lead with seconds left.

Treviso have won their last two games against Welsh regions recording a notable  opening round win over Ospreys.  However, the Blues have won all four previous encounters between the two teams.

Speaking ahead of the fixture Phil Davies said,

“It’s great to be back at the Arms Park for our second home RaboDirect PRO12 fixture.

“Last weekend we had a good, gusty win against the Dragons at Rodney Parade. It is never an easy place to go to and their home crowd really got behind the Men of Gwent and made some noise.

“It was a bit of a scrappy game as Welsh derbies can be but I thought many of our players acquitted themselves well.

“We know Treviso will be a difficult team to beat. They are very physical, especially up front, and have a good set piece as they showed against the Ospreys.”

The Blues have made seven changes to the team that beat the Dragons. In the backs Dan Fish comes in at fullback, Jamie Roberts starts for the first time at Centre and Tom James starts on the wing.

There are four changes in the forwards. New signing Robin Copeland starts and Number 8, Lou Reed starts at Lock and Benoit Bourrust and Andi Kyriacou in the front row.

The Blues, along with every other RaboDirect side will be holding a minute’s silence in memory of Nevin Sepnce who died tragically last week. Speaking of the Ulster Centre, Davies, added,

“The death of Nevin Spence, along with his brother and father, really put things in perspective.

“I was fortunate to have met Nevin on a few occasions and he was a lovely guy along with being an extremely talented rugby player.

“I have no doubt he would have gone on to play international rugby for Ireland and he will be a great loss."

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WELSH RUGBY NEWS: Patchell starts at fly half for the Blues against Dragons

Posted on Sep 14, 2012

Having recorded a 13-9 win against Connacht in Galway in round one Cardiff Blues tripped up at home to Edinburgh on Friday night, going down 21 points to 19, with a late Greg Laidlaw drop goal securing victory for the Scots.

Up next for the Blues is the Dragons at Rodney Parade on Saturday night. The Blues have won just one of their last eleven games against fellow Welsh sides: 28-9 at home to the Dragons on 23 December 2011, with the last four clashes between the two teams having been won by the home side.

"We have had a good couple of days preparation making sure we continue to improve in all areas of the game.” Phil Davies, Director of Rugby

There are four changes in the backs with young full back Thomas Williams making his first RaboDirect start in place of the injured Leigh Halfpenny. Harry Robinson comes in for Tom James on the wing. There is a new half back combination with Rhys Patchell at outside half, making his RaboDirect debut partnering with Lloyd Williams. The Blues also welcome back Jamie Robert to the match day 23, with the big Lions centre having worked hard over the summer to recover from his knee injury.

There are two changes in the pack with Marc Breeze starting at hooker and Nathan Trevett at prop in place of Rhys Williams and Benoit Bourrust.

The Dragons have won just one of their last six RaboDirect PRO12 fixtures, however the Men from Gwent have won five of their last six matches against fellow Welsh regions at Rodney Parade with the Blues last win at the ground on 23 April 2010

Having recorded a bonus point win over Zebres in Round One the Newport Gwent Dragons suffered a reversal of fortunes with a 25-45 defeat in Leinster last weekend.

Speaking ahead of the game Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, Phil Davies said,

"We have had a good couple of days preparation making sure we continue to improve in all areas of the game.

"We are trying to remain objective across the board and if we have learnt anything from last Friday it would be that we have to be more clinical when we get the line breaks and we have to finish off our scoring opportunities.

"Rodney Parade is a great place to go and play. It has retained its atmosphere from years ago.

"I am sure it will be good, we will have a lot of shouting and excitement down there and we are looking forward to it.

"The Dragons had a great win against the Zebres and then they went to Leinster, where even though they were defeated they played some good rugby.

"Any team that has Lydiate and Faletau playing for them, are going to be a threat.

"They are a good side all round, they have a strong front five and good half backs, they have some good pace on the wing, they are a well balanced team. They are going to be tough components for us.

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