By Craig Muncey
November 25 2015
A big Welsh derby is nearly upon us, Cardiff Blues travel to Liberty Stadium this Saturday afternoon to play Ospreys, a match for those who are unable to attend is live on Sky Sports. This article looks at some of the key challenges as I see it, plus my match day 23 man squad if I was the coach for this game. Hope you enjoy.
Ospreys over the last two weeks have had two very encouraging performances, firstly a home win against a very competitive Exeter Chiefs side, and then two bonus points loss away to Clermont Auvergne, Cardiff Blues over the last two matches had a fifty point victory away to Calvisano, and then a home defeat to Harlequins.
Ospreys seem to have turned a corner, their pack is looking strong with player such as Dmitri Arhip, Paul James, Justin Tipuric and as per usual Alun-Wyn Jones to the fore. Their backs are starting to click as well, Brendan Leonard and Dan Biggar are starting to gel, their centres are not as strong as previously, especially with an injury doubt with Josh Matavesi, and Ashley Beck certainly out, their options at centre seem to two from Jonathan Spratt, Ben John and Hanno Dirksen..
Cardiff Blues are still struggling to put a consistent eighty minute match together, and are still working on their strongest side, and strongest combinations. There have been some promising moments but seem to be unable to sustain it. There is improvements from last season, but it will take time.
The match on Saturday throws up some great individual battles, Alex Cuthbert, who Danny Wilson came out this week in the media singing his praises about the player, up against Eli Walker, who Steve Tandy also was full of praise for this week. Dan Biggar the incumbent Welsh number 10, up against one of the contenders for his Welsh shirt in Rhys Patchell, Gethin Jenkins against Dmitri Arhip, which could be an outstanding battle, which the same can also be said for the potential clash of the two sevens, Sam Warburton against Justin Tipuric, also Kristian Dacey if fit, against Scott Baldwin. A battle I am also really looking forward to is Lloyd Williams against ex New Zealand All Black, Brendan Leonard, Lloyd is looking really sharp in his snipes around the fringes and in Leonard, they have a very experienced campaigner, who has a very strong all round game.
Be interesting to see if Ospreys bring Dan Baker back into the back row, as a strong ball carrier which is something Cardiff Blues is seriously lacking. James King has started the season very well, and is a good athlete, a nuisance at rucks and is a very good line out option, but Baker does offer them a robust physical option and a target for forwards and backs alike if he gets over the gainline. If they go with Baker then potentially King may slot into the second row, but Lloyd Ashley is also playing well, so nice options for coach Steve Tandy to have.
Cardiff Blues go into the match no doubt as underdogs, but if their game can click as it has done in periods against Zebre at home, Leinster and Munster, they have a real chance, and as a Cardiff Blues fan I have to cling onto that hope, positive thoughts fans ;)
Now onto my team I would select for Saturday, as far as I am aware players unavailable are Gareth Anscombe, Cory Allen, Matthew Rees and Ellis Jenkins from the squad, so with that in mind:
Cardiff Blues
15. Dan Fish
14. Alex Cuthbert
13. Garyn Smith
12. Reynold Lee-Lo
11. Tom James
10. Rhys Patchell
9. Lloyd Williams
1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Kristian Dacey
3. Craig Mitchell
4. Jarrad Hoeata
5. Cam Dolan
6. Josh Turnbull
7. Sam Warburton
8 Manoa Vosawai
Bench
Rhys Williams, Sam Hobbs, Dillon Lewis, Macauley Cook, Josh Navidi, Tavis Knoyle, Jarrod Evans, Blaine Scully
Hope you have enjoyed my thoughts, please feel free to share your thoughts.
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