Powell on Blues' bench
Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:26
Cardiff Blues loose forward Andy Powell - on the road to redemption after his troubles off the field became a rugby selection problem as well - will be on the bench when the Blues take on European Cup champions Leinster this Sunday in the Magners League.
Director of Rugby David Young has named a strong team with only two changes from the side that beat Glasgow 30-7 at Firhill. Scott Morgan starts in the second row in place of Deiniol Jones, while Sam Warburton returns from Wales duty and starts at flank.
Speaking ahead of the match, Young said: "Our last three home matches in the Magners League are against Irish opposition, starting with Leinster, followed by Ulster at the end of the month and Munster in May.
"We know all of these matches will be tough challenges with Irish rugby on a high following last season's achievements. So we know we have a difficult run in, starting with Sunday's game.
"While our Cup form has been good this season our Magners League form has not been up to standard. With only a few games left in the League and important qualification for the Heineken Cup at stake, every point is important for us.
"Obviously we were all pleased with our last League performance and result with our win up in Glasgow. We completely dominated the game and with 10 minutes left we were 30-0 up, having scored three tries. Our record against Glasgow has not been brilliant, having not won there since 2005, so perhaps it is greedy to have wanted a bonus point."
Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Tom James, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Tom Shanklin, 11 Chris Czekaj, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Gareth Cooper, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Maama Molitika, 5 Paul Tito (captain), 4 Scott Morgan, 3 Gary Powell, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 Taufa'ao Filise.
Replacements: 16 Huw Dowden, 17 Scott Andrews, 18 Andries Pretorius, 19 Andy Powell, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 Sam Norton-Knight, 22
Dafydd Hewitt.
Date: Sunday, March 7
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 16.00 (16.00 GMT)
Referee: Andy MacPherson (SRU)
Assistant referees: Leighton Hodges (WRU), Phil Connett (WRU)
TMO: Hugh Watkins (WRU)
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