By Andrew Collins
October 6 2005

Lion Tom Shanklin makes his first appearence of the season while fellow tourist Martyn Williams and new Xavier Rush make their starts of the season, both having come off the bench last week against Saracens.

English champions Wasps have their own reternee with England and Lions star Lawrence Dellaglio makes his first outing since injuring himself in this years New Zealand tour. It was though the influencial captain wouldn't be back until Christmas, but Wasps have announced his is fit and raing to go. The captain was clearly eager to get back on the pitch, when asked about his pending return he said,

"I'm very excited, and looking forward to Friday. It's great to be involved in a game that gets the juices flowing and this certainly does,"

Also in their side are fellow Lions Josh Lewsey, Matt Dawson, Somon Shaw and Joe Worsley, showing that they do not intend to suffer a home defeat despite the prestige of the tournement. In other news, Aussie Mark Van Gisbergen is on the bench, with Tom Voyce starting at full back.

Their team line-up was announced today:

Voyce, Sackey, Waters, Abbott, Lewsey, King, Dawson; Bracken, Gotting, Dawson, Hart, Birkett, Worsley, O'Connor, Dallaglio (c).

Ibanez, Payne, Shaw, Lock, Reddan, Brooks, Van Gisbergen.

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For the Blues, Xavier Rush comes in at Number 8, with in-form Andy Powell moving to 6. Mamma Molitika sits on the bench, while on the other side Martyn Williams comes in for Robin Sowden-Taylor despite excellent recnt performances.

They're joined on the bench by Craig Quinnell, who is replaced by Deiniol Jones, and Ben Evens, with Mark Jones propping at tight-head.

In the backs, Mike Phillips is again switched with Ryan Powell as Dai gives a fair trial to both players before the Heineken Cup begins, and as mentioned, Tom Shanklin comes in at centre for Lee Thomas.

Shanks and Jamie will link up in midfeild for the first time since 31st January 2004, when the Blues triumphed 22-7 over Sale Sharks, Robinson scoring in the match. Since then, Iestyn Harris was preffered at 12, with Shanks on the wing and then the well documented injury to Jamie during the 04/05 season.

Blues top try scorer Carig Morgan starts on the wing, having shown some much more confident form of late. The winger has 3 of the total 11 tries from 5 Celtic and Powergen appearences.

On the other wing, youngster Chris Czekaj still awaits his first regional try, despite scoring a national try for wales on his debut.

Both wingers have 5 matches to stake their claim before Decmeber, when Kiwi legend Jonah Lomu arrives.

And Dai is really relishing the competition between his squad,

"We're more or less picking now from a full-strength squad so selection is a headache for the first time I've been here in three seasons."

Having picked up a bonus point on Friday the Blues sit proudly at the top of their group, Wasps won scoring 2 tries leaving them second, London gained a bonus point in defeat and saracens are bottom with no points at all.

For the Blues to qualify, they must be in top place after the 3 matches, which would give them a semi-final place v another group winner in Wales' Millenium Stadium.

Realistically, the Blues stand a chance this week, given the scoreline of Wasps last match, but if not, staying in 7, or getting 4 tries is a real must if qualification is at all likely.

On the match, Dai Young said,

"We know Wasps' strengths and weaknesses and how they want to play the game,  but stopping it is a different matter. We are going in with three wins on the bounce and will measure ourselves against the English champions."

The match kicks off 7.40pm, and will be covered on BBC2.

Team
R Williams (capt); Czekaj, J Robinson, Shanklin, Morgan; N Robinson, R Powell; Yapp, Goodfield, M Jones, D Jones, Sidoli, A Powell, M Williams, Rush.

Evans, Johnson, Quinnell, Molitika, Sowden-Taylor, Phillips, Thomas.