Two Late Changes for Quins
Two Late Changes for Quin
By Andrew Collins
January 24 2010
There have been two late changes to this afternoons squad who take on Harlequins at the stoop. The Blues need a win if they hold are to qualify for the Amlin Challenge Cup.
In the starting XV, Gareth Thomas comes onto the wing in place of the injures Leigh Halfpenny, while Sam Norton-Knight drops out of the squad, to be replaced by Dai Flannagan.
The Blues Heineken Cup is over for this year, but a win at the Stoop who see them given a European lifeline in the quarter finals of the lower tier competition. Should Cardiff qualify for the Amlin Challenge, it would be a good return given their poor form and would be a decent achievement given the strength of the pool.
Martyn Williams knows how important the match is in context of their season, he told BBC Sport,
"We wanted to set ourselves up with something to aim for over the last weekend and in that respect we have done what we had to do. We know that Harlequins are pretty good at home so for us it is a case of building on this win and being more consistent."
Our friends over at 'Come All Within', the Harelquins fansite here on SportNetwork had this today about todays 3 o'clock match, shown on Sky Sports Red Button,
"Quins will find the Cardiff team tough opposition lead byGethin Jenkins who as part of a strong pack put in a solid performance againstSale with half backs Rees and Sweeney prospering accordingly. One to watch willbe Cardiff lock Davies whose aggressive and abrasive nature was used to goodeffect against Sale."
Cardiff Blues: B Blair; G Thomas, C Laulala, J Roberts, T James; C Sweeney, R Rees; G Jenkins (capt), G Williams, F Filise, B Davies, D Jones, A Powell, M Williams, X Rush.
Replacements: T R Thomas, G Powell, S Hobbs, P Tito, B White, G Cooper, D Flanagan, T Shanklin.