Sowden Taylor returns to a Blues squad that have won their six matches in all competitions, equalling their best ever winning run since becoming a Region in 2003. However, they will face a hard challenge from the Glasgow Warriors who won five of their last six games in the Magners League at Firhill.
In the backs Ceri Sweeney, makes his first start at 12 with this season’s usual inside centres Jamie Roberts and Tom Shanklin on Wales duty.
The last four encounters between the two teams have been won by the home side on the day whilst the Blues only previous win in Glasgow was 28-23 at Hughenden in the league on 24 September 2005.
Speaking ahead of the match Cardiff Blues director of rugby David Young said, “The players are looking forward to getting back on the pitch following the Autumn break, which in some ways came a bit too early for us.”
“We had built up some good momentum with our wins in the Heineken and EDF Energy Cup, and we have to make sure we carry that momentum and form into this Friday’s Magners League match.”
“We know it won’t be easy. Glasgow are always a difficult team to play especially at home, they recently notched up a win against last season’s champions Leinster. They have some quality players with Dan Parks always a threat with his kicking.”
Glasgow Warriors V Cardiff Blues
Friday 28 November, Firhill Arena, 7.30pm.
Cardiff Blues 15 Ben Blair 14 Gareth Thomas 13 Jamie Robinson 12 Ceri Sweeney 11 Tom James 10 Nicky Robinson 9 Jason Spice
1 Taufa’ao Filise 2 T R Thomas 3 Gary Powell 4 Deiniol Jones 5 Paul Tito 6 Mamma Molitika 7 Robin Sowden-Taylor 8 Mark Lewis
Replacements: 16 Scott Roberts 17 Gareth Williams 18 Scott Morgan 19 Ben White 20 Richie Rees 21 Dafydd Hewitt 22 Richard Mustoe 23 Chris Czekaj
