Team For First Anglo-Welsh Encounter

Nicky Robinson
By Andrew Collins
September 28 2005

Dai Young has named his side for the first round of the new Anglo-Welsh Powergen Cup. Saturdays match against Saracens will be the first match in what will hopefully turn out to be a long and successful competition featuring the 4 Welsh regions and all of Englands Guiness Premiersips sides.

The new format cup competition kicks off on Friday with Leicster V the Dragons from Rodney Parade and sill become a permanent fixture in the fixture list from now on.

The return to the old cross-bridge rivalrys is a major boost for the WRU who aill hope the lure of top English clubs will entice fans through the turnstiles.

As for the match itself, the Blues are eligable to feild their Lions for the first time accoring to the WRU's agreement. However, with Centre Tom Shanklin recovering from a shoulder injury, and prop Gethin Jenkins only just being recommended surgery, its only former captain Martyn Williams who makes his return.

Williams starts on the bench with another major back-rower yet to appear since leaving New Zealand, Xavier Rush.

The new signing began training on Monday and admits he can't wait to make his debut,

“I’ve been following the Blues match reports on the internet to keep up to date on what’s happening and it’s really good to be here at last, I’ve been looking forward to it for months.  I’ve been to Wales a few times and I’m looking forward to living here."

The bad news however is that both hookers Rhys Thomas and Gareth Williams are unavailable, so Dai has called on youngsters Dwain Goodfeild to start, and Ross Johnston to take the bench spot.

Rhys Williams came through a fitness test, but Dean Dewdney, Tristan Davies, Marc Stercibina, Tom Shanklin and Nick Macleod all sit the match out.

Shanklin admitted he was gutted to miss out on playing his former team-mates, but says he's be water-boy if it means he'll get on the pitch at some point!

Mike Phillips comes back into the side despite Ryan Powells good form last week and Jamie Roberts who made his debut against Glasgow is not selected.

Team:
15. Rhys Williams (Capt) 14. Chris Czekaj 13. Jamie Robinson 12. Lee Thomas 11. Craig Morgan 10. Nicky Robinson 9. Michael Phillips
8. Andy Powell 7. Robin Sowden-Taylor 6. Maama Molitika 5. Robert Sidoli 4. Craig Quinnell 3. Ben Evans 2. Dwayne Goodfield 1. John Yapp

16. Martin Jones 17. Ross Johnson 18. Deiniol Jones 19. Xavier Rush 20. Martyn Williams 21. Ryan Powell 22. Matthew Nuthall