Cardiff v Connacht: Teams

Connacht have been boosted by the return from injury of wing Mike Roberts and lock Michael Swift for their Magners League clash with Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park on Friday.

Former London Wasps back Roberts will make his competitive debut for the Irish side when he starts on the left wing, while Swift returns to the side having missed the 15-8 victory over Glasgow at the weekend and will partner Andrew Browne in the second row.

Johnny O'Connor, who came on as a replacement against Glasgow, will make his first start of the season in the back row alongside captain John Muldoon and Colm Rigney.

Meanwhile, Gavin Duffy, Keith Matthews and Ray Ofisa were not considered due to injuries picked up in the win over the Warriors as coach Michael Bradley hands out an opportunity for others to stake a claim.

"It gives the guys who did not start last week a chance to put down a marker ahead of the European Challenge Cup campaign," said Bradley.

Cardiff Blues are boosted by the news that Xavier Rush will make his first appearance of the season from the bench on Friday.

Having injured his knee in pre-season it was feared Rush would miss the opening rounds of the Heineken Cup. However after extensive work with the Cardiff Blues strength and conditioning team he has recovered in time to feature on Friday.

Attitude

"Rushy has been training very hard with us," Cardiff Blues conditioning coach Chris Tombs told Planet Rugby.

"He has, as always, impressed us with his attitude and drive to be back in contention by the time the Heineken Cup came around.

"We are two weeks away from that now, so with this game and the trip to Sale still to come, he should hopefully be back to full fitness in time for the trip to Italy."

Elsewhere the two Jamie's, Roberts and Robinson, team up in the centres and Leigh Halfpenny has recovered from a head injury and will start at full-back.

In the pack Bradley Davies takes a deserved break from the squad, having started the opening four games to date. Deniol Jones comes in to partner captain Paul Tito instead.

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

Connacht: 15 Fionn Carr, 14 Aidan Wynne, 13 John Hearty, 12 Mel Deane, 11 Michael Roberts, 10 Andy Dunne, 9 Frank Murphy, 1 John Lyne, 2 Adrian Flavin, 3 Robbie Morris, 4 Andrew Browne, 5 Michael Swift, 6 John Muldoon (c), 7 Johnny O'Connor, 8 Colm Rigney.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Andrew Farley, 19 Michael McCarthy, 20 Kieran Campbell, 21 Ian Keatley, 22 Liam Bibo.