Blues v Scarlets: Teams

Play-off chasing Cardiff Blues and Scarlets clash in a crucial RaboDirect PRO12 Welsh derby on Saturday.

The sixth-placed Scarlets and seventh-placed Blues are currently locked on 45 points, two points behind the play-off places.

The Blues have lost just one home game in any competition since October and take on a Scarlets side who have won back-to-back matches in the PRO12.

Blues backs coach Gareth Baber insists the hosts are up for the challenge in what should prove an intense, physical and high tempo game

He said: "The Scarlets have a good blend of youth and experience.

Work hard

"They work hard for each other, have a good work ethic and work hard around the field to create opportunities, so we know it's going to be a difficult match but we are ready for the challenge.

"Players from both teams contributed significantly to the Wales team success and we have looked at these returning international players individually to see where they are mentally and physically.

"It is important to get them back into our set up and get them comfortable in what we are doing again. Then hopefully they can go out and perform, pushing the potential of the squad.

"Now that we are entering the business end of the season the competition level rises and everybody is fighting for positions in the starting XV.

"That is what you want as a coach; you want people competing and pushing each other hard.

"Ultimately the players know, although they may not like it sometimes, that there can only be 15 people that can be on the field and we are picking the team that will get the victory."

Team news

Cardiff Blues second row forward James Down has recovered from a fracture dislocation of his ankle to make his first start since Racing Metro in November.

The Blues also welcome back Grand Slam heroes Alex Cuthbert and Lloyd Williams to the side following their heroics against France last Saturday.

But Sam Warburton and Gethin Jenkins are both out with shoulder injuries, Leigh Halfpenny is absent with a dead leg, Jamie Roberts has been rested while Bradley Davies is suspended.

The Scarlets welcome back their own Grand Slam heroes Matthew Rees, Ken Owens, Jon Davies and Scott Williams, as well as Scottish wing Sean Lamont and England's no. 8 Ben Morgan.

Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Dafydd Hewitt, 11 Tom James, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Xavier Rush (c), 7 Josh Navidi, 6Michael Paterson, 5 James Down, 4 Macualey Cook, 3 Scott Andrews, 2 Ryan Tyrell, 1 John Yapp.
Replacements:16 Marc Breeze, 17 Nathan Trevett, 18 Sam Hobbs, 19 Cory Hill, 20 Maama Molitika, 21 Richie Rees, 22 Ceri Sweeney, 23 Chris Czekaj.

Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Gareth Maule (c), 12 Scott Williams, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Rhodri Jones, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Deacon Manu, 4 Dominic Day, 5 Damian Welch, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 8 Ben Morgan.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Phil John, 18 Peter Edwards, 19 Sione Timani, 20 Kieran Murphy, 21 Liam Davies, 22 Aled Thomas, 23 Jon Davies.