Benetton Treviso v Cardiff Blues: Guinness PRO12 preview
Last Updated: 19/02/15 6:05pm
Gareth Anscombe will start at fly-half for Cardiff Blues as they attempt to return to winning ways against Benetton Treviso at the Stadio Monigo on Friday night.
Anscombe has been released from Wales’ Six Nations squad and is one of six changes made by director of rugby Mark Hammett following last weekend’s defeat away to Munster.
With Cory Allen unavailable due to illness, Tom Isaacs will make his full debut alongside Adam Thomas in midfield.
Kristian Dacey and Taufa’ao Filise come into the front row, while the final change sees Ellis Jenkins start at openside flanker as Josh Navidi switches to No 8.
Treviso suffered a 40-point thumping at Ulster last weekend but they also welcome back some of their international contingent as they seek their third Guinness PRO12 victory of the season.
Simone Ragusi is named on the wing while Marco Barbini and Marco Fuser come into the pack, with James Ambrosini preferred to Joe Carlisle at fly-half.
Treviso: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Enrico Bacchin, 12 Sam Christie, 11 Simone Ragusi, 10 James Ambrosini, 9 Alberto Lucchese; 1 Matteo Zanusso, 2 Davide Giazzon, 3 Rupert Harden, 4 Antonio Pavanello (c), 5 Marco Fuser, 6 Marco Barbini, 7 Dean Budd, 8 Mat Luamanu.
Replacements: 16 Albert Anae, 17 Romulo Acosta, 18 Salesi Manu, 19 Tomas Vallejos, 20 Meyer Swanepoel, 21 Andrea Pratichetti, 22 Joe Carlisle, 23 Henry Seniloli.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhys Patchell, 14 Lucas Amorosino, 13 Tom Isaacs, 12 Adam Thomas, 11 Joaquin Tuculet, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Adam Jones, 4 Macauley Cook, 5 Filo Paulo, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Ellis Jenkins, 8 Josh Navidi (c)
Replacements: 16 Rhys Williams, 17 Thomas Davies, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Miles Normandale, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Owen Jenkins.
