By Andrew Collins
January 24 2007

The Cardiff Blues will be without 7 of the 9 called up for International duty with Wales.

In fact, the only two who do get the green light are returnees, Tom Shanklin, who has not featured since December, and Rob Sidoli, who started last weekend, but with no previous action since November.

However there's dissapointing news for Robin Sowden-Taylor, who failed in a race to regain fitness before the 6 Nations campaign. It now means he must wait until March 2nd, away at Munster. But in actual fact, the extended rest will do him no harm whatsoever, whereas rushing back from such a severe injury could have massive implications.

Mark Lewis and Bradley davies return to action with bench spots, while a reshuffle of the pack is nessacery following the 7 departures.

In the front row, Gareth Williams replaces Rhys Thomas, while Filse and Gary Powell continue to pack down together following last weeks win over Borders.

In the boiler room, Sidoli is partnered by Deiniol Jones, while Ben White and Rhys Shellard return to the side at flanker. Xavier Rush captains as ever from No.8.

Ed Fairhurst comes in for the transfer speculated Mike Phillips, but Nick Robinson who failed to make the Welsh squad stays at 10. His brother Jamie was called up however, and is replaced by Shanks at 13, his favoured positio, Nick Macleod, also reportedly leaving, stays at 12.

Tom James is joined by Luviatasau on the wing, while two-try hero Ben Blair is at full back.

Cardiff Blues
Ben Blair, Tom James, Tom Shanklin, Nick Macloed, Mosese Luveitasau, Nick Robinson, Ed Fairhurst, Xavier Rush (captain), Rhys Shellard, Ben White, Robert Sidoli, Deiniol Jones, Gary Powell, Gareth Williams, Taufaao Filise 

Scott Roberts, Duane Goodfield, Bradley Davies, Mark Lewis, Wayne Evans, Dai Flannigan, Marc Stcherbina