Cardiff Blues v Connacht: Guinness PRO12 preview
Last Updated: 06/03/15 7:36pm
Wales duo Gareth Anscombe and Alex Curthbert return to the Cardiff Blues line-up for Friday’s Guiness PRO12 meeting with Connacht.
The pair were released from international duty for the Cardiff Arms Park clash as the Blues’ coaching team of Dale McIntosh and Paul John make six changes to the side that beat Edinburgh last weekend.
Josh Navidi returns at No 8 while Rhys Patchell switches to full-back to form a new-look back three with Cuthbert and Argentina international Joaquin Tuculet.
Taufa’ao Filise comes in for injured tighthead Adam Jones with Kristian Dacey named at hooker, and Lou Reed partners Jarrad Hoeata in the second row.
Anscombe wears the No 10 shirt with openside Ellis Jenkins captaining the side.
Connacht head coach Pat Lam makes three changes to the team that scored a half-century of points against Treviso last weekend, with former All Black Mils Muliaina returning at full-back.
Lock Mick Kearney is promoted to the starting line-up while George Naoupu comes in at No 8 as the Irish province look to cement their top-six position with a 10th league victory of the season.
Darragh Leader returns from injury to take his place on the bench and his fellow Galway-born teammate Andrew Browne is also included among the replacements.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhys Patchell, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Cory Allen, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Joaquin Tuculet, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Sam Hobbs, 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Lou Reed, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Ellis Jenkins (c), 8 Josh Navidi.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Williams, 17 Thomas Davies, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Filo Paulo, 20 Macauley Cook, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Tom Isaacs.
Connacht: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Tiernan O'Halloran, 13 Danie Poolman, 12 Dave McSharry, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Craig Ronaldson, 9 John Cooney; 1 Denis Buckley, 2 Tom McCartney, 3 Rodney Ah You, 4 Mick Kearney, 5 Aly Muldowney, 6 John Muldoon (c), 7 Jake Heenan, 8 George Naoupu.
Replacements: 16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Andrew Browne, 20 Eoghan Masterson, 21 Ian Porter, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Darragh Leader.
