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Heroic Blues Unchanged For Glos

EDF Cup
By Andrew Collins
April 17 2009
Dai Young has announced an unchanged squad from last weekends thrilling 9-6 victory over Toulouse. The Blues offered yet another wonderful defensive display on Saturday, and Young will be looking for more of the same at Twickenham.

Cardiff Blues go into their first ever cup final tomorrow, taking on the side they have European bragging rights over, Gloucester. Young's men beat the big spending West Country side home and away in the Heineken Cup group stages, but the Cherry and Whites will be desperate to set the record straight.

Flanker, Andy Hazell, is optimistic about his sides chances in the Twickenham rematch,

"We're a better team than when we played them earlier in the year. We've been a bit hot and cold, but we've had two weeks to train with no game and we ironed out a few problems and hopefully we can take that forward into the game."

But though Gloucester welcome back Cardiff-born number 8 Gareth Delve and Kiwi prop Greg Somerville from injury, neither of who featured in either of the previous two meetings, they will be without influential centre Mike Tindall, winger Ian Balshaw or lock Alasdair Strokosch.

In contrast, Cardiff report a fit bill of health for the second week running, leaving Dai Young with no injury worries for what could be Cardiff rugby's first trophy since 2000 and the regions first ever.

There's no place in the starting line up for Gareth Cooper, who is joining the Welsh outfit next season, instead his place is taken by Ryan Lawson, who's partnered at half back by Ryan Lamb. Lamb will be up against his future team mate Nick Robinson in a battle that will prove very tasty for both sets of supporters.

The English side move exciting winger James Simpson-Daniel, aka Sinbad, into centre to cover the loss of Tindall, alongside Anthony Allen, who is one of a large number of players expected to leave Kingsholm in the summer.

Former Scarlets centre Matthew Watkins starts on the wing with Mark Foster, while Olly Morgan will be hoping to impress Ian Mcgeechan ahead of Tuesday Lions squad announcement.

Another point of interest for Blues fans will be the inclusion of Oliver Azam, who was widely criticised for his apparent ‘playacting' which saw Blues winger Tom James receive a red card.

For the Blues though it's a case of more of the same please, against an outfit that will undoubtedly cause them problems.

They'll need to be at their best once again, and Dai Young is taking nothing for granted,

"Although we have beaten them twice this season, we would be foolish to underestimate them. We have huge respect for them and know they are a better team than when we played them in the Heineken Cup."

Kick off is 14.30 from Twickenham and is being covered live on BBC 1. For fans there will be a ‘Win, Lose or Draw' party at the Arms Park to hopefully celebrate the new EDF Champions, or otherwise to commiserate with a cheap pint!

Cardiff Blues

Ben Blair; Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Tom James; Nicky Robinson, Jason Spice; Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams, Tauf'au Filise, Bradley Davies, Paul Tito (capt), Maama Molitika, Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush (capt).

John Yapp, T Rhys Thomas, Deiniol Jones, Andy Powell, Richie Rees, Ceri Sweeney, Gareth Thomas.

Gloucester

Olly Morgan; Matthew Watkins, James Simpson-Daniel, Anthony Allen, Mark Foster; Ryan Lamb, Rory Lawson; Nick Wood, Olivier Azam, Greg Somerville; Alex Brown, Will James, Luke Narraway, Akapusi Qera, Gareth Delve (capt)

Scott Lawson, Carlos Nieto, Marco Bortolami, Andrew Hazell, Gareth Cooper, Olly Barkley, Charlie Sharples

Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU)

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Heroic Blues Unchanged For Glos
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 17/04/2009 18:49

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