Cardiff Blues
Blues Vs Leinster Is On
Blues Vs Leinster Is On
By Andrew Collins
September 6 2008
Cardiff Blues first game of the season today against Leinster is ON. The Blues grounds man has been able to confirm that despite heavy amounts of rainfall over the past few days, the pitch is in a playable condition.
The match will see Magner's League winners Leinster, taking on the 2nd place side of the last to seasons in the Welsh capital, as a cracking opener to the new season.
It's Cardiff Blues' last ever opening match of the season at the Arms Park, as this time next year, they will be preparing for life at Leckwith in a ground rental deal with Cardiff City.
Cardiff take on a strong Leinster side, which features the likes of Felipe Contepomi, Brain O'Driscoll, Shane Horgan as well as new signing, Isa Necewa.
The Blues however are in a far worse situation, missing talisman and former Captain, Xavier Rush, Magner's League Top Try Scorer of last season, Tom James, Lions Captain, Gareth Thomas and the record Blues cap holder, Deiniol Jones.
There is good news however, as wing Chris Czekaj makes his first start in competitive action since the horrific leg break that kept him out for 14 months. He is joined on the wing by new signing Richard Mustoe, the only of three new players in the starting line up, Ceri Sweeney on the bench while Aled Brew is not in the squad.
However, Dai Young has compared the switch of Jamie Roberts from full back to centre to that of a new signing, the highly talented medicine student pairs up in midfield with Tom Shanklin, the latter being able to play in his favoured outside centre role.
Elsewhere it's as would be expected for the home side, Spice partners Nicky Robinson at half back with Ben Blair at full back.
Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams and Tao' Felise make up a strong front row, with new captain Paul Tito at lock with the huge figure of Bradley Davies - tipped by many for big things this year.
Player's Player of the Year, Maama Molitika is joined by Martyn William and Andy Powell in the back row.
Kick off for the match is 6.30pm.
Cardiff
Ben Blair; Richard Mustoe, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Chris Czekaj; Nicky Robinson, Jason Spice; Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams, Taufa'ao Filise, Bradley Davies, Paul Tito (Capt), Mamma Molitika, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams.
Gary Powell, T. Rhys Thomas, Scott Morgan, Ben White, Darren Allinson, Ceri Sweeney, Jamie Robinson.
Leinster
Isa Nacewa; Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll , Felipe Contepomi, Rob Kearney; Jonathan Sexton, Chris Whitaker (Capt); Cian Healy, Bernard Jackman, Ronan McCormack, Devin Toner, Malcolm O'Kelly, Cameron Jowitt, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip.
John Fogarty, Stephen Knoop, Trevor Hogan, Sean O'Brien, Chris Keane, Luke Fitzgerald, Girvan Dempsey.
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Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!
07/09/2008 02:03
Anyway, best of luck for the rest of the season and we'll look forward to the return fixture in RDS later in the season
Pity the same cannot be said of the performance!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:09:07:09:24:55 by ATTR.
