Cardiff v Harlequins: Teams

Xavier Rush has been named in the Cardiff Blues line-up for the Heineken Cup opener against Harlequins.

The veteran forward dislocated his finger against the Scarlets, however he has now been given the all clear to return to action.

"Xavier underwent a successful operation on his finger and was given the all clear by the medical team," said director of rugby David Young.

"It's great news that he has recovered so quickly and is a real boost for us ahead of the big match against Quins."

Rush comes into the back-row in place of Andy Powell, with Ben Blair, Jamie Roberts, Sam Norton-Knight, Richie Rees and Taufa'au Filise all being passed fit to play.

"Selection is a responsibility that I do not take lightly and it's always difficult to make choices especially ahead of big games," added Young.

"The front row of Gary Powell and T Rhys Thomas pushed very strongly for inclusion and are unlucky to miss out in the starting XV.

"Deiniol Jones is always near being selected in a starting spot but we felt that Bradley Davies gives us extra carrying capacity for this match.

"I feel very sorry for Robin Sowden Taylor who has played exceptionally well for us so far this season, but we picked Sam Warburton at openside because of the back row balance at the line out.

"In the backs Richie Rees had shaded it and there were tough choices to make in the back three.

Difficult

"We felt Tom James was our most potent attacking back last season and it was a difficult choice for the other wing berth with Richard Mustoe and Gareth Thomas playing really well and Leigh Halfpenny working really hard to recapture his form after some minor injuries."

Harlequins travel to Cardiff buoyed by their first win of the season.

The Quins toppled Bath on Saturday and will now be hoping that result will be a turning point for them after a difficult summer and a poor start to the new campaign.

Coach John Kingston is without a trio of England internationals - with Ugo Monye, Danny Care and Nick Easter all been rested under the terms of the EPS agreement.

However Gonzalo Camacho, Steve So'oialo and Tom Guest all come into the side.

Tani Fuga and Mark Lambert also come into the starting XV, with Gary Botha having left the club to return to South Africa.

Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Gareth Thomas, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom James, 10 Sam Norton-Knight, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Andy Powell, 5 Paul Tito (c), 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Taufa'au Filise, 2 Gareth Williams, 1 John Yapp.
Replacements: 16 T Rhys Thomas, 17 Darren Morris, 18 Gary Powell, 19 Deiniol Jones, 20 Robin Sowden-Taylor, 21 Gareth Cooper, 22 Ceri Sweeney, 23 Leigh Halfpenny.

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 David Strettle, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Gonzalo Camacho, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Steve Sooialo, 8 Tom Guest, 7 Will Skinner (c), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Jim Evans, 4 Lewis Stevenson, 3 Mark Lambert, 2 Tani Fuga, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Aston Croall, 18 John Andress, 19 Shane O'Connor, 20 Neil McMillan, 21 Gareth Williams, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 George Lowe.