Team News - 16-18 January

By Lestyn
January 15 2004

All the Regions team news ahead of this weekends Heineken cup pool games. Iestyn Harris is absent for the Blues, several other players are doubtful.

Cardiff Blues = Iestyn Harris is the major absentee from the capital regions as they look to end a barren stretch in the Heineken cup without a win, now going back over two years. Harris's back injury obtained last week in the 35-20 defeat in Biarritz, allows Nicky Robinson to take over at outside half.

Blues team; Rhys Williams; Nick Walne, Jamie Robinson, Tom Shanklin, Craig Morgan; Nick Robinson, Ryan Powell; John Yapp, Gareth Williams, Ben Evans, Craig Quinnell, Andy Moore, Jim Brownrigg, Nathan Thomas, Martyn Williams (capt). Replacements: Kenneth Fourie, Darren Crompton, Rhys Thomas, Heino Senekal, Rob Appleyard, Andrew Moore, Matt Allen.

Celtic Warriors = Lyn Jones is unsure whether to opt for Silo Martens or Gareth Cooper at Scrum half. Martens impressed last week with his aggressive play, but Coopers may be more suited to the expected drier conditions at what will hopefully be a sell out at the Brewery field. Elsewhere Robert Sidoli and Nathan Budgett face late fitness tests for the vacant second row spot on the bench.

Warriors team; Gareth Wyatt; Dafydd James, Sonny Parker, Gareth Thomas (capt), Aisea Havili; Ceri Sweeney, Silo Martens/Gareth Cooper; Christian Loader, Mefin Davies, Gethin Jenkins, Brent Cockbain, Dafydd Jones, Maama Molitika, Corry Harris, Richard Parks. Replacements; Matthew Rees, Chris Horsman, Robert Sidoli/Nathan Budgett, Nick Kelly, Silo Martens/Gareth Cooper, Neil Jenkins, Jonathan Bryant.

Dragons =

 

Llanelli Scarlets = Chris Wyatt is the only doubt for the Turks trip to the Stade Armandie to face Agen. The lock is facing a late fitness test before Saturday afternoons game. If needs be Adam Jones will take Wyatt's place in the starting line up. Mark Jones remains only as a replacement, as his recovery from the injury he picked up at the World cup continues.

Scarlets Team;  Barry Davies, Garan Evans, Mark Taylor, Matthew Watkins, Selesi Finau, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel; Iestyn Thomas, Robin McBryde, Vernon Cooper (capt), Chris Wyatt, Daffyd Jones, Simon Easterby, Scott Quinnell. Replacements: Phil John, Aled Gravelle, Adam Jones, David Hodges, Mike Phillips, Gareth Bowen, Mark Jones

Ospreys = Both Scott Gibbs and Gavin Henson are doubts for Fridays clash with Toulouse at the Gnoll. Henson has a calf strain and Gibbs has an ear drum strain. Richie Pugh who despite getting a call up for Steve Hansens training squad is dropped completely from Lyn Jones's 22, with Gavin Thomas replacing him at blind side. The only other change see's Huw Bennett return at hooker in place of Barry Williams to try and sort out the Ospreys lineout. Shaun Connor some how clings on to the outside half after yet another shocking display there last week.

Team; Gavin Henson, Stefan Terblanche, Elvis Seveali'i, Scott Gibbs (Capt), Shane Williams, Shaun Connor, Andy Williams, Duncan Jones, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Andrew Newman, Gareth Llewellyn, Jonathan Thomas, Gavin Thomas, Nathan Bonner-Evans Replacements; Barry Williams Andrew Millward, Steve Tandy, James Bater, Adrian Durston, Dave Tiueti, Gareth Morris.