By Andrew Collins
October 27 2006

The Cardiff side has been announced which will aim to tackle the Tigers at the Millennium Stadium.

Dai Young has the luxury of naming an unchanged side this week, with Tom Shanklin, Rob Sidoli and Ben Blair all came through ate fitness tests to be including for the clash with Leicester.

 

The only squad change in fact comes with fit-again captain Xavier Rush, replacing Ben White on the bench.

 

Despite a massive win in France over Bourgoin last week, its been a rough week for Dai Young, with the naming of Gareth Jenkins’ Welsh squad. Numerous fringe players haven’t been included, while others who are named, can’t seem to justify their inclusions.

 

The biggest casualty from a Cardiff point of view is key man, Nicky Robinson. The outside half has been on very good form, and has crucially improved on his consistency, something previously highlighted as weakness. But he has been overlooked with the very boring Ceri Sweeney picked instead.

 

Jenkins claimed his decision was based on Nicky’s inability to kick at goal. This has led to Robinson vented his feelings publicly, suggesting he may have to look elsewhere should he not get more opportunity to take goal shots.

 

"I was told I was dropped because I am not kicking for the Blues and the Welsh management said it was hard to pick me for the national squad. So I am in quite a tricky situation. I am not in the Welsh squad because I am not kicking for my region. But the kicker we have is one of the best in the world and it is going to be very tough for me to dislodge him. I was wary the arrival of Blair coming over could affect my Welsh chances, and this has been proved right."

 

He went on to say;

 

"I have spoken to David Young and he has told me the way it is, although it might not be the best for me. My performances have been more consistent, something which people have said I have lacked in the past. I have to remain positive and, hopefully, I will be back involved with the Wales squad again soon. This is one of the lowest points in my career. I am bitterly disappointed and I would be fibbing if I was not a little surprised.”

 

Not ideal given the crunch match coming up on Sunday, but maybe this will spurn Robinson into giving one hell of a performance in this massive Heineken Cup match.

 

As for those chosen 22, its interesting to see that Dai Young hasn't changed the side to counter Andy Goode's predictable, yet effective cross-feild kick. Czekaj is solid under the high ball, while Luviatasau is a definate weakness. Shanklin has probably been trained to look after Mosese, while Ben Blair will have to be wide awake for 85 minutes.

 

The Blues team looks like this

 

Ben Blair; Mosese Luveitasau, Tom Shanklin, Marc Stcherbina, Chris Czekaj; Nicky Robinson, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, T. Rhys Thomas, Gary Powell, Deiniol Jones, Robert Sidoli, Scott Morgan, Martyn Williams (capt), Mark Lewis.

Taufa'ao Filise, Gareth Williams, Bradley Davies, Xavier Rush, Ed Fairhurst, Jamie Robinson, Nick Macleod.