Blues Set for Stadium Bow
Blues Set for Stadium Bow
Blues Set for Stadium Bow
By Andrew Collins
August 21 2009
Cardiff Blues take on Leicester Tigers tonight as they officially unveil their new rented stadium. The Blues will begin a new era at the ground following over 130 years of top class rugby at Cardiff Arms Park.
Blues Set for Stadium Bow
August 21 2009
Cardiff Blues take on Leicester Tigers tonight as they officially unveil their new rented stadium. The Blues will begin a new era at the ground following over 130 years of top class rugby at Cardiff Arms Park.
The Blues first match of the 09/10 season comes in the form of a friendly fixture against Leicester - the side that ended Cardiff's European dreams during a penalty shoot out at the semi-final stages - however the squad looks very different to the one that played that day.
The home side are without Gethin Jenkins, Martyn Williams, Andy Powell, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin Tom James and Leigh Halfpenny who all featured that day, while newbie Sam Norton-Knight and Dafydd Hewitt are also missing through injury.
On top those players, it will be the Blues first start to a season without either of the Robinson boys, Jamie and Nicky. The pair have departed the region for Toulon and Gloucester respectively, while half back Jason Spice has just been named captain at his new club, Bristol.
However, 5 of the 7 new signings will be on show in tonight's friendly match, with Gareth Cooper, Dafydd James, Darren Morris, Gavin Evans and Andries Pretorius all set to make their debuts. Norton-Knight is likely to miss both pre-season games, but is expected to be fit for the Magner's League kick off on September 4th. Casey Laulala will be arriving from the Crusaders in the Autumn following the end of the Air New Zealand Cup.
So in many respects, tonight really will be the start of a new ear for the Cardiff Blues.
Don't forget, theArmsPark.co.uk's Prediction League is up and running for the new season, and includes bothe pre-season fixtures - tonight's clash with Leicester and next Friday's match against Northampton - so make sure you get your predictions in before the big kick off!
Cardiff Blues Squad
Backs: Chris Czekaj, Richard Mustoe, Dafydd James, Gavin Evans, Gareth Thomas, Ceri Sweeney, Dai Flanagan, Gareth Cooper, Richie Rees.
Forwards: Xavier Rush, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Sam Warburton, Maama Molitika, Andries Pretorius, Bradley Davies, Scott Morgan, Deiniol Jones, Paul Tito, T Rhys Thomas, Gareth Williams, Gary Powell, Darren Morris, Sam Hobbs, Taufa'ao Filise.
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Blues Set for Stadium Bow
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 21/08/2009 11:12
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