Wales trio return for crunch Glasgow clash

Feb 15 • General News, Guinness Pro14 • 941 Views • Comments Off on Wales trio return for crunch Glasgow clash

Welsh internationals Jarrod Evans, Josh Turnbull and Seb Davies return to the starting line-up for Cardiff Blues’ crunch Guinness PRO14 clash against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday. (KO 7.35pm)

The trio are yet to feature for Wales in the Guinness Six Nations and have been released to gain valuable game-time in a crucial encounter for the Blues.

Jarrod Evans immediately slots back into the number 10 jersey, and is the only change made to the backline from the narrow victory over Connacht a fortnight ago.

Three changes are made in the pack, with Davies and Turnbull replacing George Earle and Shane Lewis-Hughes respectively.

Davies links up with Rory Thornton at second-row while Turnbull joins Olly Robinson and Nick Williams in the back row.

Rhys Gill is also reintroduced at the loosehead, as hooker Kristian Dacey, who is fast-approaching his 150th appearance for the region, retains the captaincy.

Cardiff Blues head coach John Mulvihill said: “We don’t have that many on the injury list at the moment, with Willis Halaholo and Jason Harries back fit and likely to feature next week.

“We’ve managed our group quite well through this period and we have a pretty good bill of health.

“We’ll have Jarrod, Josh and Seb back in for the captain’s run. They’ve had a pretty tough week so we won’t do too much, but we’ll go through our attacking shape and the small things we’ll be doing differently in defence.

“They’re three of our best players so we need them starting and playing long periods in this game.”

Wales’ Capital Region have fallen short against Glasgow on three occasions this season but are determined to bounce
back in a vital Arms Park encounter.

Two points currently separate the Blues from the all-important top three with seven rounds of regular action remaining

Mulvihill added: “Hopefully we can do enough to get a final win against these guys from Glasgow.

“They are a really good team with great strength-in-depth. They’ll be missing a few players, but they’ll get four or five international players back, who haven’t played much in the Six Nations, so we expect a pretty red-hot side this weekend

“We’ve had positive second halves against them each time, but it’s important that we focus on our start.”
Mulvihill has opted for a mix of youth and experience on the bench, as Macauley Cook, Scott Andrews, Dan Fish and Garyn Smith have a combined total of 503 appearances for the region.

Dane Blacker could make his second Championship appearance from the bench – having made his PRO14 debut against the Warriors last season.

Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Owen Lane, Harri Millard, Rey Lee-Lo, Aled Summerhill; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Rhys Gill, Kristian Dacey (capt.), Dmitri Arhip, Seb Davies, Rory Thornton, Josh Turnbull, Olly Robinson, Nick Williams

Replacements: Liam Belcher, Rhys Carré, Scott Andrews, Macauley Cook, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Dane Blacker, Dan Fish, Garyn Smith