With the arrivals of Ceri Sweeney, Richard Mustoe and Aled Brew to the backs next season, some people argue we've got our strongest squad since the birth to regionalism, and with the return of Chris Czekaj and Rhys Williams to an already fantastic back line, it's hard to disagree! But will the loss of Marc Stcherbina hit us hard, and will Brew and Mustoe be any better than Tal Selley? Of course only time tell, but here's how it looks for me.

Scrum Half
Jason Spice had a good season last year, and is clearly a different class to Ritchie Rees, so will be the man to wear 9 in the big names next year, barring any injuries. But perhaps the more interesting battle will be between back up players, Rees and Darren Allinson. The young Cardiff RFC talent looks brimming with confidence off the back of a great season with Welsh premiership side. He's been given a Blues Development contrast for next year, so we may well be seeing these two guys battle it out literally for a contrst for the following season. Personally, my money is on Allinson to not only become preferred 2^nd choice, but to push old Spice to his very best if he wants to stay first choice.

Fly Half
The acquisition of Ceri Sweeney hasn't exactly thrilled the Arms Park faithful, but in all fairness, he does provide better cover for Nick Robinson than we have been used to. Like scrum half, the real battle here will be for 2^nd place, with last season's regular, Dai Flanagan, looking to keep out Sweeny, who hasn't had a good season for a long time. But the former Celtic Warrior believes the move will reignite his passion for rugby, and we'll see a return of the man who earned many Welsh caps. Ceri isn't the only person hoping that's true.

Centre
This is probably the one area of the squad that has been weakened over the summer period, with youngster, Tom Riley, Nick Macleod, Tal Selley and most recently fan favourite, Marc Stcherbina, all leaving for pastures new, however in all honest, it's still a position where the Blues have a wealth of class and experience. The only arrival or sort comes in the shape of utility back, Jamie Roberts, who wore the 12 shirt for Wales in their second test of their recent tour to South Africa. Roberts partnered Blues team mate Tom Shankin at Gatland experimented with his squad, the pair performing very well in both defence an attack, giving Dai Young an extra option for next season. In truth, the first choice pairing will probably be Gareth Thomas and Shanklin, although Jamie Robinson, celebrating his centenary year, may well be used at 13 with Shanks inside at 12. The departures in the position mean we're also likely to see more from local crash ball expert, Daf Hewitt. So to list them fully, we have Alfie, Roberts, Robinson, Shanklin and Hewitt, while Ceri Sweeney may also make the occasional appearance at 12.

Wings
Like centre, wing is a position where the Blues can boast a list of top quality international players, many of whom still at a young age, but showing the type of talent that ensures they'll be with Cardiff for many years to come. Of those, there four are 21-years olds, all of whom capped by Wales, Tom James heads the list, scoring 11 tries in 16 appearances last year, and becoming the Magner's League top try scorer, while Jamie Roberts, Chris Czekaj and new-Blue Aled Brew will all be vying for one of the two wing berths. On top of those four names, Dai Young has the luxury of experience out wide as well, with record try scorer Gareth Thomas and Rhys Williams, now in his 11^th season with Cardiff, despite being just 28. And as if that weren't enough, the Blues have also signed Richard Mustoe from Newport Gwent Dragons, and have teenage sensation, Leigh Halfpenny, who already has one Blues cap to his name. In all honesty, that list is insane, with the Blues having no excuse for not scoring tries out wide, however I do feel for Dai Young, who has the hard job of picking the best two from that bunch. That's potentially 8 names for two positions, although we're likely to see Gareth Thomas revert back to centre for next season, while Jamie Roberts may make more starts from full back than last year. Picking who will wear 11 and 14 is so tight, it will surely come down to form and rotation, but going into next year, I'm throwing my hat in with the awesome Tom James, and providing he makes a successful come back from a career threatening injury sustained just a year ago, Chris Czekaj. Behind them, I'd still be happy to see Roberts make some appearances there, as he managed 7 tries in 14 Magner's league games, despite supposedly playing out of position, while I would favour Rhys Williams over Brew, the much-loved Cardiff boy still scoring 3 tries in his only 5 starts of an injury hit campaign last year. I'm backing Rhys to make a big come back in 08/09.

Full Back
In the last 2 seasons, this was a no brainer, pocket sized Kiwi, Ben Blair, has proved a massive hit at full back, earning Player of the Year in his first season, as well as being named in the Magner's League Team of the Year both years running. However, he faces real competition for the jersey from Jamie Roberts, who is learning an improving in every match. You'd have to say that Blair remains first choice, but I think we're likely to see far more of Roberts than we did last year. Should injuries occur, we still have Rhysy to cover, who at 28 and with 44 caps, still has a hello of a lot to offer both Cardiff and Wales in my view.

So here's how it looks for the backs;

9. Jason Spice/Darren Allinson
10. Nicky Robinson/Ceri Sweeney
11. Chris Czekaj/Rhys Williams
12. Gareth Thomas/Daf Hewit
13. Tom Shanklin/Jamie Robinson
14. Tom James/Jamie Roberts/Aled Brew
15. Ben Blair/Jamie Roberts

Agree? Disagree? Have your say on the massage board below.

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