Cardiff v Gloucester: Teams
Both Cardiff and Gloucester have opted to name the same 22 for their showdown at the Millennium Stadium.
Last Updated: 19/10/08 10:37am
Cardiff chief Dai Young has rewarded his side for their win over Calvisano be retaining the same 22 to face Gloucester.
The Blues romped to a 56-20 win over the Italian minnows in the first pool game.
And Young has opted to retain the same squad as they look to topple Gloucester at the Millennium Stadium.
"Selection is difficult because of the improved quality in our last performance, but it's a nice problem to have," said Young.
"With displays like that against Calvisano it's difficult to take the shirt from the players in possession. The boys that are consistent in their performances are the ones that will keep their jerseys. We have communicated this to the players.
"This principle has certainly worked in the Welsh set up and something we are trying to bring in with our improving squad. People can't afford to have a poor game or they are out of the team for a few weeks.
"The level of competition in the Heineken Cup never changes year on year, you have to win your home games to have a chance of progressing.
"We know how important the match is to us and to the supporters. Hopefully it will be a great occasion with a big attendance and our fans getting right behind us."
Foundations
Gloucester coach Dean Ryan has also named the same 22 from the opening round of fixtures, meaning there is no place for Nick Wood, Matthew Watkins or Andy Titterrell.
The Cherry and Whites outplayed Biarritz to open their campaign with a win and Ryan is looking for more of the same.
"I think we know and understand we can play better than we did last weekend but at the same time our approach was first class," Ryan said.
"We know our game will get better from the foundation we produced against Biarritz but it was vital we had that against top quality opposition and we will need that again on Sunday.
"It is about getting the balance right. Sometimes, in big games, perhaps we have been guilty of over-playing at times but are striving to get it right. We have exposed ourselves to too much risk - it's about playing but in the right areas.
"We did a lot of things right at the weekend and hopefully that can make us play more - we want to build on that performance this weekend."
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 Molitka, 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.
Glocuester: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 Iain Balshaw, 13 Mike Tindall (capt), 12 Olly Barkley, 11 James Simpson-Daniel, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Gareth Cooper, 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Olivier Azam, 3 Carlos Nieto, 4 Marco Bortolami, 5 Alex Brown, 6 Peter Buxton, 7 Alasdair Strokosch, 8 Luke Narraway.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Jack Forster, 18 Adam Eustace, 19 Andy Hazell, 20 Rory Lawson, 21 Willie Walker, 22 Lesley Vainikolo.