Blues v Dragons: Teams

James set to return for Dragons clash

Last updated: 26th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Blues v Dragons: Teams

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Cardiff Blues winger Tom James is set to return for Sunday's clash with Newport Gwent Dragons after recovering from a groin injury.

Aside from the inclusion of James in his starting XV, Blues coach Dai Young has made a number of changes since last week's Heineken Cup defeat in Toulouse.

Richard Mustoe switches to the opposite wing to allow James to replace Leigh Halfpenny, while scrum-half Richie Rees will start ahead of Gareth Cooper.

In the forwards young prospect Sam Warburton has been given the nod ahead of Andy Powell on the blindside and Welsh international T Rhys Thomas replaces hooker Gareth Williams.

And in the second row it's all change with Scott Morgan and Brad Davies coming in for Paul Tito and Deiniol Jones respectively.

The Dragons have also made several changes to the team that suffered a home defeat to Biarritz last week.

Jason Tovey and Rhodri Gomer-Davies are two new faces in the back line while Lewis Evans gets a start at number eight.

There is also an all-new front row of Pat Palmer, Tom Willis - back from injury to lead the team - and Hugh Gustafson.

Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Richard Mustoe, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom James, 10 Sam Norton-Knight, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Sam Warburton, 5 Scott Morgan, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Taufa'au Filise, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 Gethin Jenkins (c).
Replacements: 16 Gareth Williams, 17 Gary Powell, 18 Paul Tito, 19 Andy Powell, 20 Gareth Cooper, 21 Ceri Sweeney, 22 Gareth Thomas.

Dragons: 15 Jason Tovey, 14 Aled Brew, 13 Rhodri Gomer-Davies, 12 Tom Riley, 11 Richard Fussell, 10 James Arlidge, 9 Danny Lee, 8 Lewis Evans, 7 Gavin Thomas, 6 Joe Bearman, 5 Robert Sidoli, 4 Hoani MacDonald, 3 Patrick Palmer, 2 Tom Willis (Captain), 1 Hugh Gustafson.
Replacements: 16 Steve Jones, 17 Peter Bracken, 18 Adam Jones, 19 Grant Webb, 20 Will Harries, 21 Matthew Watkins, 22 Gareth Williams.

Date: Sunday, December 27
Venue: City of Cardiff Stadium
Kick-off: 18.00 GMT
Referee: James Jones
Assistant referees: Hugh Watkins, Huw David
Television match official: Tony Rowlands

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