The trio were missing for the drubbing in Leicester,Thomas rested, Williams banned and Sidoli injured, but all gain starting positions for the final Heineken Cup match of the season.

And there is even more relevence of the match, given it could be up to two years before the Blues face another French side, with the Europeans quitting the competition next season.

Mark Lewis also recovers early from a lengthly abscence for a bench spot.

All four are hoping to impress in their final two games before Wales take on Ireland in the 6 Nations opener at the Millenium Stadium.

In fact the side has a very Welsh feel to it, with 12 of the 15 starters born here. Although in truth, many would like to have seen Gethin Jenkins instead of Felise at prop, and Lewis in at 8 instead of the ever-present Xavier Rush, to give the pair an extra push ahead of Gareth Jenkins' squad selection.

Nick Macleod is at long last given a chance to start a match at 12, a position he has continually impressed at when making short cameo subs appearances. Tom Shanklin has failed to recover in time to make the bench, so Stitch will be amungst the subs.

Reports suggest that there's more good news on the injury front, with Bradley Davies available as early as next week, hoping to make a late, late push for a first Welsh call-up, and Robin Sowden-Taylor hoping to be back before the end of the month!

That would leave just Rhys Williams and Andy Powell to arrive back in March, but Tom Reiley and John Yapp out until next season.

Tranfer rumoured Nick Robinson said this week,

"If we end up with a good victory we can look back on a year where we've learnt a lot from our group. It's been great to be in games against the likes of Munster and Leicester."

Robinson has been linked with a move to bath in the summer. This is yet to be confirmed/denied by either clubs or the player himslef.

Meanwhile returnees Rob Sidoli and Martyn Williams said,

"It's been hard watching, but I've (Sidoli) had a good rest over Christmas and I'm happy with the recovery."

"I've (Martyn) been keeping up the fitness side over the last few weeks doing conditioning work with our coaches, and I also feel fresh mentally which is sometimes as important as the physical side."

Cardiff Blues
Ben Blair; Tom James, Jamie Robinson, Nick Macloed, Chris Czekaj; Nick Robinson, Mike Phillips; Taufaao Filise, Rhys Thomas, Gary Powell, Deiniol Jones, Robert Sidoli, Scott Morgan, Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush (capt).

Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams, Ben White, Mark Lewis, Ed Fairhurst, Dai Flannigan, Marc Stcherbina.

• In other news, former second-row and 'Team Manager', Derwyn Jones, has left a similar role at the Ospreys after leaving in contraversial circumstances. Its thought he was sacked by the O's, but will now continue his media role at S4C as a Welsh-speaking pundit.

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