Calvisano v Cardiff: Teams

Dai Young has made seven changes to his Cardiff Blues side for their Heineken Cup clash in Calvisano.

On paper this is a game that Cardiff Blues should win comfortably but the reality is a little tougher, as Young admitted.

"We need to give Calvisano the respect they deserve," Young said.

"They certainly will be up for the first game of the competition. It's the worst time to go out there and they are never easy to play against. When you look at the scalps the Italian teams have taken it's always been in the first or second round.

"We played there a few years ago and know what to expect. They will be very physical, very much along the lines of the Italian national team, physical up front and set piece dominated. A slow game with a lot of scrums and line-outs will suite them."

Having missed the victory over Sale, Tom Shanklin, Nicky Robinson and Jason Spice all return behind the scrum, whilst in the forwards there are a further four changes.

Maama Molitika and Gethin Jenkins both return from injury while Deiniol Jones and Gary Powell both get a starting spot. Andy Powell, who has been in impressive form for the Blues, switches from blindside to No.8.

Calvisano: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Daniele Forcucci, 13 Andrea Pratichetti 12 Matteo Pratichetti, 11 Ludovico Nitoglia, 10 Gerard John Fraser, 9 Paul Griffen; 8 Justin Purll, 7 Aaron Persico, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Peter Sidoli, 4 Valerio Bernabo, 3 Ben Evans, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Hoani Tui
Replacements: 16 Alistair McKenzie, 17 Alejandro Moreno, 18 David Dal Maso, 19 Maurizio Zaffiri, 20 Pino Patelli, 21 Nanni Raineri, 22 Marko Stanojevic

Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Jamie Robinson, 12 Tom Shanklin, 11 Gareth Thomas, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Jason Spice, 8 Andy Powell, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Maama Molitika, 5 Paul Tito (c), 4 Deiniol Jones, 3 Gary Powell, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Taufa'ao Filise, 17 Gareth Williams, 18 Scott Morgan, 19 Robin Sowden-Taylor, 20 Richie Rees, 21 Ceri Sweeney, 22 Jamie Roberts.