By Andrew Collins
April 6 2006

Dai Young has announced his side to take on Edinburgh at Murryfeild on Friday night. The Blues are on a good winning streak of late, and will be looking to continue that form against the Scottish region.

Having beaten the Ospreys and Glasgow with bonus point victorys in their last two outings, Cardiff journey on the road in hom of continuing their recent vein of good form.

The Gunners beat the Blues 13-9 at the Arms Park in January and were indeed the last side to beat Dai's men, (though there have only been two games since).

As for this weeks team news, the big story is the return of departee Kort Schubert, who will on Friday be playing lock alongside Rob Sidoli. The American captain will be leaving the region in the summer, as part of a big shake up of the squad, but the choice to play him at his less favoured position comes with injuries to James Goode and Craig Quinnell while Deiniol Jones is 'unavailable'.

Elsewhere in the forwards, hooker Duane Goodfeild starts ahead of Rhys Thomas, the young Ponty product is one of those expected to earn contracts with the region as part of the development. John Yapp and Gethin Jenkins prop either side of the ginger 21 year old.

Maama Molitika is another who is leaving in the summer, much to the dissapointment of all fans. The foregin flanker starts at 6, with Martyn Williams and Xavier Rush for company.

The backs remain unchanged, with Phillips and Robinson continuing their lethal half back combination. Chris Czekaj, in try-scoring form of late, starts on the wing with Craig Morgan. Jamie Robinson and Marc Stchrbina start in the centre, and Rhys Williams captains the side from full back.

The bench looks very weak however, with the squads strength in depth coming into serious question.

Prop Martin Jones is uncertain for a spot, with a late fitness test to decide his fate. Youngster Scott Roberts waits in the wings for his chance to earn his appearence for the Blues.

Rhys Thomas is forced to be content with a bench spot as Goodfeild gets a run out, while Andy Powell and youngster Chris Dicomidis make up the replacement forwards. The latter is a Ponty product who will be covering lock in the absence of Good, Quinnell and Jones.

The 3 backs are all believed to be on their way out of the Arms Park, Ryan Powell already confirmed as joining Worcester, Nick Macleod is heavily linked as going and Tristan Davies who is a cert to be leaving the region all make up the squad numbers.

Many have questionned the decision of having Ryan Powell on the bench, when young scrum half Wayne Evans is clearly going to be next years replacement behind Phillips. With regional experience currently minimal for Wayne, it's a wonder he's not being fast-tracked through the system for next year.

Nick Macleod may well be saved from departure however, with Lee Thomas leaving for Sale this week. 'Screech' as he's also known will be the only replacement fly half at the club when Thomas leaves, and unless Dai Flannagan is being promoted, or someone new brought in, Young will surely be forced to keep him.

Team
Rhys Williams, Chris Czeka, Jamie Robinson, Marc Stcherbina, Craig Morgan, Nick Robinson, Mike Phillips; John Yapp, Duane Goodfield, Gethin Jenkins, Kort Schubert, Rob Sidoli, Maama Molitika, Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush.

Martin Jones or Scott Roberts, Rhys Thomas, Chris Dicomidis, Andy Powell, Ryan Powell, Nick Macleod, Tristan Davies.