Cardiff Blues v Harlequins: Teams
Cardiff Blues have named a squad containing a total of eleven internationals to face Harlequins in the LV= Cup on Sunday.
Last Updated: 03/02/12 4:14pm
Cardiff Blues have named a squad containing a total of eleven internationals to face Harlequins in the LV= Cup on Sunday.
Justin Burnell and Gareth Baber have selected a side with a blend of youth and experience with one eye on a busy month ahead in the RaboDirect Pro12.
The Blues twenty-three man squad includes Ben Blair, Gavin Evans, Tom James, Ceri Sweeney and Richie Rees in the backs - all of whom have played for their country.
In the forwards Maama Molitika, Scott Andrews, T Rhys Thomas and John Yapp all have international experience, while New Zealand internationals Casey Laulala and Xavier Rush are on the bench.
"We had to rest some of the senior players last weekend as they have played a massive part of our season so far, and helped us reach the Heineken Cup quarter-finals," explained Burnell.
"There's a system for us to integrate younger players with the more experienced players and that's why we've picked this side."
Lowe returns for Quins
Meanwhile, Ross Chisholm continues at full-back for Harlequins alongside Seb Stegmann and Sam Smith in the back three with the latter replacing Tom Williams.
George Lowe makes a welcome return from the injury he sustained back in November and partners Tom Casson in the centres. Karl Dickson is back at scrum-half from his long term injury, with Rory Clegg at fly-half.
Nic Mayhew starts in the front-row at loose head with Rob Buchanan and Tim Fairbrother. Chris York comes into the starting XV, replacing Luke Wallace, Tom Guest and skipper Will Skinner complete the back row.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Richard Mustoe, 13 Gavin Evans, 12 Dafydd Hewitt, 11 Tom James, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Luke Hamilton, 7 Josh Navidi, 6 Maama Molitika, 5 Macauley Cook, 4 Cory Hill, 3 Scott Andrews, 2 T Rhys Thomas (Capt), 1 John Yapp.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Tyrell, 17 Nathan Trevett, 18 Sam Hobbs, 19 Paul Tito, 20 Xavier Rush, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Casey Laulala.
Harlequins:15 Ross Chisholm, 14 Seb Stegmann, 13George Lowe, 12 Tom Casson, 11 Sam Smith, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Karl Dickson, 8 Tom Guest, 7 Will Skinner (C), 6 Chris York, 5 Pete Browne, 4 Tomas Vallejos, 3 Tim Fairbrother 2 Rob Buchanan, 1 Nic Mayhew.
Replacements: 16 Darryl Marfo, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Will Collier, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Joe Trayfoot, 21 Richard Bolt, 22 Benjamin Urdapilleta, 23 Ollie Lindsay-Hague.
