Cardiff v Munster: Teams
Cardiff Blues have made seven changes to the side that lost out in Ulster last Friday as they host Munster.
Last Updated: 22/09/11 3:25pm
Cardiff Blues have made seven changes to the side that lost out in Ulster last weekend as they welcome defending champions Munster to the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday.
In the backs, Dan Fish comes in for Chris Czekaj, who misses the match with a shoulder injury and Richard Mustoe is in for Tom James, who has a calf strain.
Other changes in the backs see Dafydd Hewitt and Richie Rees starting, with Casey Laulala and Lewis Jones dropping down to the bench.
There are three changes in the forwards, with Andries Pretorius recovered from a knee injury and starting at eight while Xavier Rush moves to the bench.
Maama Molitika moves from blindside to openside in place of the injured Martyn Williams while Michael Paterson switches from the second row to the backrow. Deiniol Jones starts in the second row.
"Similar to Ulster, all Munster sides are very disciplined and structured," said Cardiff coach Gareth Baber.
"They will be physical and want to play in the right areas by implementing a good kicking game.
"They will try to use their physicality and we have to match that and put our game in place."
Having recorded two bonus point wins in their opening two matches, the Blues lost their place at the top of the RaboDirect PRO12 table following their 20-3 defeat at Ulster on Friday.
Cardiff have won just one of their last four matches against Irish provinces and suffered a double defeat to Munster last season.
Potential
However, Baber feels that if they play to their potential, the Blues can beat the champions.
"It will be a tough match, but that's the level at which we are playing," he added.
"We are at home so we've got to go out there with real intensity and aggression.
"There are new systems in place that the players are still learning, but we need them to come out and be at the top level on Friday."
Meanwhile, centre Danny Barnes returns to the Munster side as one of six changes to the side that started against Scarlets last time out.
The Kerryman, who missed the Scarlets game with a slight hand injury, is one of two changes Tony McGahan makes to his starting XV backline, with Duncan Williams at scrum-half being the other.
Up front, Wian du Preez steps in for Marcus Horan and at tight head Stephen Archer comes in for John Hayes. Mick O'Driscoll will be partnered by Billy Holland in the second row and Tommy O'Donnell breaks into the back row in place of Niall Ronan.
An interesting newcomer to the match day squad is 23-year-old prop John Ryan. The former Ireland Schools, U19/20 international was drafted into the squad in place of Horan, who is suffering from illness.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Dan Fish, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Gavin Evans, 12 Dafydd Hewitt, 11 Richard Mustoe, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Andries Pretorius, 7 Maama Molitika, 6 Michael Paterson, 5 Deiniol Jones, 4 Paul Tito (C), 3 Scott Andrews, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 Sam Hobbs.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Williams, 17 Nathan Trevett, 18 Ryan Harford, 19 Xavier Rush, 20 Thomas Young, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Casey Laulala.
Munster: 15 Johne Murphy, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Danny Barnes, 12 Lifiemi Mafi, 11 Denis Hurley, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Duncan Williams, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 6 Peter O'Mahony (capt), 5 Mick O'Driscoll, 4 Billy Holland, 3 Stephen Archer , 2 Mike Sherry, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Denis Fogarty, 17 John Ryan, 18 John Hayes, 19 Dave Foley, 20 Niall Ronan, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Scott Deasy, 23 Tom Gleeson.
