Cardiff v Glasgow - RaboDirect PRO12 match preview

Gregor Townsend: Nine changes for trip to Wales

Leigh Halfpenny: Back at fly-half for Cardiff

Cardiff Blues welcome Leigh Halfpenny back from injury for their RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Glasgow Warriors.

Saturday's game at the Arms Park sees the Wales international return to the side after an absence due to injury as the Blues look to bounce back from last week's hammering against Ulster.

Glasgow achieved the double over the Blues for the very first time last season and are going for an unprecedented third straight win over the Welshmen.

Gregor Townsend's starting XV for the game shows nine changes from that which ran out in their recent win over Zebre.

Behind the scrum, Peter Murchie comes in at full-back for his 50th appearance in a Warriors jersey, Alex Dunbar and Peter Horne resume their centre pairing, Sean Lamont replaces hamstring injury victim DTH van der Merwe on the left wing and Henry Pyrgos starts at scrum-half.

Up front, Dougie Hall slots in at hooker, captain Al Kellock comes into the second-row, John Barclay starts at openside and Ryan Wilson dons the number eight jersey. New signing Josh Strauss, who made his debut against Zebre, moves across the back-row to blindside flanker as a result.

Cardiff Blues: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Gavin Evans, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom James, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Andries Pretorius (c), 7 Josh Navidi, 6 Rory Watts-Jones, 5 Lou Reed, 4 James Down, 3 Benoit Bourrust, 2 Rhys Williams, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Replacements: 16 Marc Breeze, 17 Taufa'ao Filise, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Macauley Cook, 20 Robin Copeland, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Dan Fish.

Glasgow: 15 Peter Murchie, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Alex Dunbar, 12 Peter Horne, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Henry Pyrgos, 8 Ryan Wilson, 7 John Barclay, 6 Josh Strauss, 5 Al Kellock (capt), 4 Tom Ryder, 3 Mike Cusack, 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Gordon Reid.
Replacements: 16 Finlay Gillies, 17 Ofa Fainga'anuku, 18 Ryan Grant, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Chris Fusaro, 21 Niko Matawalu, 22 Byron McGuigan, 23 Stuart Hogg.

What they said...

Cardiff director of rugby Phil Davies

"This week it is about tightening up the defence, ensuring we make our one on one tackles effectively and continue to build our set piece.

"We also need to get our scrum more consistent. Overall it is important to ensure the consistency is there and that we are more clinical.

"It is important to encourage the players to play positive rugby; like when you see Tom James or Alex Cuthbert breaking from the back and getting the crowd on their feet.

"As a coach you have to be objective and keep the players feeling as if they are moving forward."

Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend

"It's a sign of the strength in depth we have at the club this year that despite having 10 key players injured, I firmly believe we're sending out a very strong side this week," Townsend told glasgowwarriors.org.

"A number of players who got an opportunity in the team last week certainly underlined their capabilities, and those who are coming back in this weekend know they need to maintain high standards.

"Having that level of competition is great for everyone, and ensures that there is always a real edge to our work both in preparation and out there on the pitch.

"I'm delighted for Peter Murchie that he's reaching 50 appearances this week. Tom Ryder did likewise against Zebre, and they're two of our most consistent players who work extremely hard at their game."

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