Cardiff v Glasgow: Teams
The Magners League returns this weekend after a break for the Six Nations, and Cardiff Blues host Glasgow at Arms Park.
Last Updated: 19/02/09 1:15pm
The Magners League returns this weekend after a break for the Six Nations, and Cardiff Blues play host to Glasgow at Arms Park on Friday night.
The last time the two sides met Glasgow, playing at home, ran out 28-0 winners, but the home side this time around have been boosted with the return of three of Wales' Six Nations squad.
John Yapp, Robin Sowden-Taylor and Bradley Davies all return to the starting line-up, and despite their presence coach Dai Young expects a tough encounter.
"I have a huge amount of respect for the way our opponents play the game - they gave us a good hiding up there and deserved the win," he said.
"A few eyebrows were raised with that result but they've shown with the win out in Toulouse and the performances against Bath, what a quality side they are.
Quality
"Having said that, I think we will have enough quality on the pitch to win the game and I always expect us to win our home games.
"We will go into the match with the mindset knowing that we will have to play at our best.
"Although, both teams maybe missing some international players, I think both squads will have enough class to play a high quality game."
Glasgow welcome back scrum-half Mark McMillan, who starred in that 28-0 victory earlier this season, and feature an all international front row.
Colin Shaw will make his first start for the Warriors this season following his involvement with the Scotland Sevens team on the first four tournaments of the IRB Sevens World Series.
Shaw lines up in a new-look back division which sees young Glasgow starlet Ruaridh Jackson partner Argentina's all-time record try scorer, Jose Maria Nunez Piossek, in the centre.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Gareth Thomas, 13 Jamie Robinson, 12 Dafydd Hewitt, 11 Tom James, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Jason Spice, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Robin Sowden-Taylor, 6 Maama Molitika, 5 Paul Tito (c), 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 Gareth Williams, 1 John Yapp.
Replacements: 16 Gary Powell, 17 Ross Johnson, 18 Deiniol Jones, 19 Ben White, 20 Richie Rees, 21 Nicky Robinson, 22 Richard Mustoe.
Glasgow: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 Hefin O'Hare, 13 Jose Maria Núñez Piossek, 12 Ruaridh Jackson, 11 Colin Shaw, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Mark McMillan, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Kelly Brown, 6 Stevie Swindall, 5 Alastair Kellock (c), 4 Dan Turner, 3 Moray Low, 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Justin Va'a.
Replacements: 16 Fergus Thomson, 17 Ed Kalman, 18 Opeta Palepoi, 19 Calum Forrester, 20 Colin Gregor, 21 Chris Kinloch, 22 Peter Horne.