Blues include World Cup troops

Martyn Williams, Tom Shanklin, Gethin Jenkins, Rhys Thomas, and possibly Gareth Thomas, will make a return to action after their early exit from the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Thomas signed the paperwork to confirm his new club status on Wednesday and is now awaiting their return.

The FFR can fax registration forms to the Welsh Rugby Union any time before Friday’s 7.30 kick-off. Thomas becomes eligible to play for the Blues on receipt of these, meaning the 100 Test-capped Welsh skipper could return for his first appearance in a Cardiff Blues shirt, his first in a Blue-coloured shirt at the Arms Park for three years from the replacements bench. The league leaders have made ten changes in all from the team that defeated Munster at Musgrave Park last Friday night.

“We want to involve as many of the Welsh internationals as possible,” said Blues Director of Coaching Young. “The Heineken Cup is around the corner and we’ve used our squad rotation as much as possible. We felt it was important to give the boys an opportunity to play so when it comes to the Heineken Cup and EDF Energy Cup we’re picking our best team available.

“Jamie Robinson broke his thumb in the match against Munster and will be out for two to three weeks, while Marc Stcherbina is still not ready and Dafydd Hewitt is struggling with a minor hamstring injury. In the forwards, John Yapp pulled a calf muscle and will be out for two weeks and Gary Powell also has a calf strain. On the positive side, Andy Powell should be back with us in a week or so.”

Having started all the games so far this season captain Xavier Rush and Nick Robinson have been rested but Young insists that despite the changes, they will not be taking things easy against the Irishmen.

“Connacht are always a difficult team to beat. They are a workmanlike side with no stars and a team that plays together week in week out,” said Young. “They don’t have many disruptions for international matches and know each others play extremely well. I’ve certainly got a lot of respect for their coach Michael Bradley. He is very innovative and makes you do your homework when it comes to analysis of the way they play.”

Connacht have made five changes for their Magners League clash with Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park on Friday night (7.30pm). There is one change in the backs where Gavin Duffy returns from Rugby World Cup duty. Up front John Fogarty, Robbie Morris, Ray Ofisa and John Muldoon, who will captain the side, return to the side.

Blues: Ben Blair, Rhys Williams, Tal Selley, Tom Shanklin, Tom James, Dai Flanagan, Richie Rees, Mark Lewis, Martyn Williams, Scott Morgan, Paul Tito, Deiniol Jones, Scott Roberts, Gareth Williams, Gethin Jenkins

Replacements: Taufa’ao Filise, T Rhys Thomas, Bradley Davies, Maama Molitika, Jason Spice, Nick Macloed, Jamie Roberts / Gareth Thomas

Connacht: G Duffy; O Treviranus, M Deane, A Wynne, K Matthews; T Donnelly, C McPhillips; B Wilkinson, J Fogarty, R Morris; M Swift, D Gannon; R Ofisa, J OʼConnor, J Muldoon (C)

Replacements: J Merrigan, B McGovern, A Browne, M McCarthy, A Browne, C OʼLoughlin, P Durcan