Guinness Pro12: Cardiff Blues v Scarlets preview
Last Updated: 19/12/14 7:13pm
Lou Reed is back in the Cardiff Blues starting line-up for Friday’s Pro12 clash with the Scarlets at Cardiff Arms Park.
Second-row Reed is one of five changes made by Blues' director of rugby Mark Hammett as they seek a first league win against non-Italian opposition.
Argentina internationals Joaquin Tuculet and Lucas Amorosini are named at full-back and wing respectively, while scrum-half Lewis Jones partners Gareth Anscombe at half-back.
The final change sees hooker Kristian Dacey replace Matthew Rees, who is named among the replacements. He is joined on the bench by Tongan prop Taufa'ao Filise, who will make a record-breaking 183rd appearance for the Blues if introduced.
The Scarlets travel to Cardiff without Wales international Liam Williams, who has been ruled out with a sprained ankle. His place at full-back is taken by youngster Steffan Evans, who makes only his fourth Pro12 start.
Harry Robinson is named on the wing against his former side, Aled Davies returns at scrum-half, while lock Jake Ball has recovered from a virus that kept him out of last weekend’s Champions Cup victory over Ulster.
"It's a massive game,” said Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac. “They still have ambitions in the competition; there's pressure to get results for all coaches and all teams.
"Our record away from home hasn't been good - in that context it's a big game for us. We need to focus on our game."
Cardiff Blues: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Cory Allen, 12 Adam Thomas, 11 Lucas Amorosino, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Lewis Jones; 1 Gethin Jenkins (c), 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Adam Jones, 4 Filo Paulo, 5 Lou Reed, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Sam Warburton, 8 Josh Navidi.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 Taufa'ao Filise, 19 Macauley Cook, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Tom Isaacs.
Scarlets: 15 Steffan Evans, 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Regan King, 12 Scott Williams (c), 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Aled Davies; 1 Rob Evans, 2 Emyr Phillips, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Johan Snyman, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8 Rob McCusker.
Replacements: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Lewis Rawlins, 20 Will Boyde, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Steven Shingler, 23 Hadleigh Parkes.
