Final team of the season

Dai Flannagan
By Andrew Collins
May 25 2006

There are a few new names on the Blues team sheet, as Dai takes an interesting squad selection to Munster.

The Blues travel to the European Cup Winner on Saturday, to play the final game of the season in front of a sold out Thommand Park crowd.

Clearly with next year in mind, Young has gone for a few interesting decision, most noteably, Pontyprydd fly half, Dai Flannagan. The young number 10 featured for Cardiff in the pre-season friendly at Sardis road, and has been named on the bench once or twice this year, but he will make his first start in an incredible party atmospheric Munster.

Another questionable swap is the return of Rhys Williams, but on the wing, a position many feel he is best at, and will play next year if the expected transfer of Ben Blair goes through. Nick Macleod, who has impressed pundits in recent weeks, continues at full back. It now looks certain that 'Screech' will be at the Arms Park next season following speculation he was off. Williams regains the captincy.

Another strange change is the inclusion of Mark Lewis over Xavier Rush. he has been highly impressive for the RFC side this year, and is expected to be rewarded with a Blues contract next season. Rush is set to feature for the Babarians in a few weeks, and its likely that this influenced Young's decsion to rest the All Black.

Also in the back row, Robin Sowden-Taylor starts ahead of Martyn Williams, who has in recent weeks confirmed he wants to stay with Cardiff for the remainder or his career.

Elsewhere, Gethin Jenkins is injured and will miss the Welsh tour of Argentina, his place is taken by Ben Evans for the Blues, but by Evans' partner John Yapp for Wales.

A win would see teh Blues secure 3th spot, a loss with Edinburgh losing against Leinster would mean a 4th place finsih, but a Munster and Gunners win would see the Blues finish the season in 5th place.

Team 
Nick Macleod, Rhys Williams (c), Jamie Robinson, Marc Stcherbina, Chris Czekaj, Dai Flanagan, Mike Phillips, Mark Lewis, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Maama Molitika, Rob Sidoli, Deiniol Jones, Ben Evans, Duane Goodfield, John Yapp

Rhys Gill, Rhys Thomas, Bradley Davies, Martyn Williams, Nick Robinson, Tom Riley, Craig Morgan