Blues Make 5 Changes for Welsh Derby

Cardiff Blues
By Andrew Collins
December 30 2005

The Blues have made 5 changes following the fantastic away win in Swansea last week, 4 straight swaps and one positional as Cardiff look to build on their 3 match unbeaten run.

Despite scoring a try and having a great game, young winger Chris Czekaj is dropped, with Jonah Lomu coming in and Craig Morgan switching wings. Czekaj impressed in last Wednesdays victory over the Ospreys, but there’s no room for him in the starting line-up, or on the bench.

 

S4C’s man of the match, Mike Phillips is also dropped to give Ryan Powell his far share of game time. Powell, formerly Cardiff’s number 1 scrum half, has found himself on the bench most of the season with Phillip’s form since joining. The Dragons will allow him a chance to prove to Dai and the fans he is capable of outplaying Phillips, who is on the bench.

 

The other change in the backs sees Australian Marc Stcherbina drop to the bench, with Tristan Davies stepping in next to on-form Jamie Robinson.

 

In the pack, the front row remains the same with Yapp’s injury, but the second row sees Craig Quinnell take place of Deiniol Jones.

 

The final change is that Robin Sowden-Taylor comes in for Martyn Williams, with the former Blues captain remaining in the squad, on the bench.

 

Rhys Williams makes an incredible 15^th consecutive start this season, having no missed a single game. The captain is leading by example with his commitment, and at last his form seems to be back. Having been dropped from the Wales squad earlier this year, he seems to be back with solid performances against Calvasano home and away, and a great game in the away win over Welsh rivals Ospreys last week.

 

Team
Rhys Williams (c), Craig Morgan, Jamie Robinson, Tristan Davies, Jonah Lomu, Nick Robinson, Ryan Powell, Xavier Rush, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Andy Powell, Robert Sidoli, Craig Quinnell, Martin Jones, Rhys Thomas, Gethin Jenkins

 
Ben Evans, Duane Goodfield, Deiniol Jones, Martyn Williams, Mike Phillips, Marc Stcherbina, Roger Warren.