By Andrew Collins
December 23 2005

Cardiff Blues take on Welsh rivals, The Ospreys tonight at the Liberty Stadium as Cardiff become the first Welsh oppenents to be host at the awesome Swansea venue.

Thursday night's encounter with the Ospreys offers Blues fans a chance to see a great Welsh stadium, but not a great New Zealander. Blues star, Jonah Lomu isn't is the 22 with O's fans missing a chance to see the legend.

Instead, they get the privalage of seeing Welsg duo Craig Morgan and Chris Czekaj, with the possibility of catching a glimpse of Roger Warren from the bench! Morgan reverts back to his favoured left wing with Warren making just his 2nd squad sheet following a solid display at full back against Munster.

Elsewhere remains very the same team that managed 6 tries against Calavsano, despite a poor match. Phillips, the Robinsons, Stchbina and Williams are ever presesnt in the backs, while the forwards remian the same.

I, like many other fans, will be making the trip up to Swansea tonight, but i'm not confident following the last few performances from the travelling city side.

The Ospreys lost at home in an unfortunate last minute comeback by Leicester, the English supreamos were outplayed by the understrength Neath/Swansea region and were very lucky to come away with anything from the match.

The Blues have a very difficult game on their hands, and the Ospreys are confident. Sean Holley, assistant coach at the Liberty said,

"On paper and on form the Blues are one of the strongest Welsh regions, and I am sure they will travel with confidence drawn from their recent Heineken Cup performances. However, they will be aware of the intensity that the Ospreys bring to any fixture at the Liberty Stadium and they will be expecting a stern test."

Holley summed up the Blues situation well, 'on paper' we are probably the best Welsh region, but travelling anywhere seems to be a real problem in the last 5 years.

Cardiff currently occupy 9th in the Celtic league, but have up to 3 games in hand on some sides, and a win tonight would push us above the Ospreys and clear of 10th placed Dragons.

Team
Rhys Williams (capt); Chris Czekaj, Jamie Robinson, Marc Stcherbina, Craig Morgan; Nick Robinson, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Rhys Thomas, Martin Jones, Deiniol Jones, Robert Sidoli, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush.

Ben Evans, Duane Goodfield, Craig Quinnell, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Ryan Powell, Roger Warren, Tristan Davies.