Christmas Turk-ey

Blues v Scarlets
By Andrew Collins
January 1 2006

Cardiff travel to Strady on Monday, looking to make it 5 wins from 5, and beating all 3 Welsh opposition along the way. Having beaten the Ospreys and Dragons in the last 2 weeks, the Blues will be massively keen to build on their sudden rise of form.

The Blues can proudly boast that they've 19 from a possible 20 points in the last 4 games, and have conceded no bonus points to the oposition. However is Strady one step too far?

Cardiff won the reverse fixture earlier on the season, 20-16, with tries from former Scarlets Mike Phillips and Andy Powell being the difference. Since then, the Blues have been strengthened by the arrival of both Jonah Lomu and Xavier Rush, while Gethin Jenkins and Martyn Williams are also available this time around for the Capital.

The match will be the first game for the two sides of 2006 and both have finished 2005 on a high. The Scarlets themselves are on fine form, beating the Dragons away in their last fixture, having their Ospreys home clash postsponded due to frost. They were also boosted by a home Heineken cup win over Wasps, though their away leg was less successful.

As for team news, Cardiff have a near full squad available, (see Injury List on menu for more) with just Tom Shanklin the long term injury. There are doubts over John Yapps fitness, though he may be upgraded to the bench in Ben Evens' place while Nick Macleod begins re-building himeslf with a series of matches for Cardiff RFC.

Andy Powell limped off from the Dragons game after twisting his knee, but it's expected he will be fit for a return to his former region.

 

In the opposite dressing room, the Scarlets name their strongest possible squad, including both Blues targets, Matthew Watkins and Barry Davies.

Lion Dwain Peel starts along side Gareth Bowen, with Regan King partnering Watkins in the centre. On the wings, former Lion, and in-form Welsh star Daffyd James starts as does injury-prone Mark Taylor.

At full back, Rhys Williams will be out to make his mark over Lee Bryne, who stole the Blues captain's Welsh spot for the Autumn internationals. Williams has recaptured the form that makes him such an exciting player in the last few games, while tries have dried up for Bryne. With the 6 Nations fast approaching, Williams has yet another incentive to comprehensively beat the West Walliens.

There's a familiar face at prop, with Martyn Madden making a shock return to the Scarlates regional squad. Madden was signed by Cardiff RFC in 2004, but after appearing in just 2 games, went AWOL, and as such his contract was terminated. Madden has yet to play 80 minutes for Llanelli, and Cardiff will look to him for a weakness.

Elsewhere, 2 of Andy Powell's Welsh competition both start, Daffyd Jones and Alix Popham wear 6 and 7 with Easterby at 8.

There's no place for Craig Quinnells brother Gavin in the Scarlets squad, but CQ will need little more incentive to beat the team his family support.

Blues News

As for Cardiff, there is bad news with former scrum half Mike Phillips being declared injuried for the match. This means Cardiff RFC rookie Wayne Evans sits on the bench, while Ryan Powell starts at 9.

There are 2 changes in the 15, Martyn Williams returns with Sowden-Taylor dropping to the bench.

The only other change sees Tristan Davies dropped following perhaps his best appearence in a Blues shirt. The centre does make the bench, with Austrillian Marc Stcherbina partnering Jamie Robinson at 12 and 13 respectively.

On the bench, Duane Goodfeild remains present despite competition from Ross Johnsen and there's good news with the return of John Yapp.

It means Jonah will make his first Celtic league away appearence after missing the Ospreys match, but will be keen to be part of a winning side once more.

Team
Rhys Williams (capt); Craig Morgan, Jamie Robinson, Marc Stcherbina, Jonah Lomu; Nicky Robinson, Ryan Powell; Gethin Jenkins, Rhys Thomas, Martin Jones, Craig Quinnell, Robert Sidoli, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush.

John Yapp, Duane Goodfield, Deiniol Jones, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Wayne Evans, Tristan Davies, Roger Warren.