Blues Team for Toulouse

Dai Young has named a strong squad for tomorrow’s massive Heineken Cup clash with Toulouse. The Blues face the side that knocked them out at the same stage a year ago, but following an unbeaten European season, will be hoping to get revenge in the Millennium Stadium rematch.

Young has had the luxury of picking from a fully fit squad ahead of Saturdays 3.30pm kick off, and has named a predictable starting XV.

Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams and Tao' Felise all start in the front row, for what will be Cardiff's 82^nd Heineken Cup match, with perhaps the only ‘surprise' inclusion being Bradley Davies at lock for Deiniol Jones.

Bradley has been in excellent form of late, but Jones has generally been considered first choice next to Paul Tito, especially given the impact Davies makes from the bench. He'll be keen to prove a point tomorrow.

Martyn Williams returns from a toe injury that kept him out of the Blues two previous matches, with Maama Molitika and Xavier Rush for excellent company. The trio all sat out last week's loss to Edinburgh, but will be integral to any Blues success against the French giants. Andy Powell has recovered sufficiently to be included on the bench.

Jason Spice, who was the try scoring hero against Northampton a fortnight ago, starts at scrum half alongside Nick Robinson, who will also be hoping to replicate the form shown in the EDF Cup Semi Final.

Welsh centre partners Jamie Roberts and Tom Shanklin make up the Blues midfield, taking on Toulouse's own ‘Galaptico's' in Florion Fritz and Yannick Jouzion, a mouth watering prospect if only for the neutrals.

On the wings, Tom James and Leigh Halfpenny beat the fit-again Gareth Thomas to a starting spot, the duo caught the attention of several British pundits with their running rugby against Northampton, and Toulouse will undoubtedly be wary of the ball getting out wide.

The Heineken Cup's leading point scorer Ben Blair, 80, starts at full back.

On the bench, John Yapp and Rhys Thomas are likely to make an impact should they be called upon, with Deiniol Jones covering Tito and Davies in the second row. Andy Powell returns to the squad and is likely to feature as the ground churns up around 60 minutes, the massive number 8 has been a revelation for the region this season, and is bound to cause Toulouse problems when he does get on.

Ritchie Rees and Ceri Sweeney cover the half backs, while Gareth Thomas offers an experienced head with the ability of closing a match out if needed.

Ben Blair; Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Tom James; Nicky Robinson, Jason Spice; Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams, Tauf'au Filise, Bradley Davies, Paul Tito (c), Maama Molitika, Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush.

John Yapp, T Rhys Thomas, Deiniol Jones, Andy Powell, Richie Rees, Ceri Sweeney, Gareth Thomas.

Toulouse

Toulouse welcome back David Skrella following injury, however the French International is only deemed fit enough for the bench, with the notoriously inconsistent, yet obviously world class Freddy Michalak starting at stand off.

Toulouse will be without Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, who gave the Blues a torrid time last season, as well as Jean-Baptiste Poux and Benoit Lecouls, however Clement Poitrenaud gets a bench spot despite a minor injury.

M Medard; V Clerc, F Fritz, Y Jauzion, C Heymans; F Michalak, B Kelleher; D Human, W Servat, S Perugini, F Pelous, P Albacete, J Bouilhou [capt], T Dusautoir, S Sowerby.

A Vernet Basualdo, Y Montes, G Lamboley, Y Nyanga, D Skrela, M Kunavore, C Poitrenaud.