Cardiff v Stade Français: Teams

Cardiff Blues head coach Dai Young has made four changes to his side for their Heineken Cup Pool Three clash with Stade Français on Saturday.

After collecting a losing bonus point in Paris last Sunday, Young has been forced into making one change, with Dai Flanagan replacing the injured Nicky Robinson at fly-half.

Flanagan played in the opening two Heineken Cup games but was left out of the squad last week, with Young consequently having to play Jason Spice at fly-half after Robinson's early departure.

The home side triumphed 12-6 in wet and windy Parisian conditions but Young hopes both the weather and the outcome will be very different this Saturday at the Arms Park.

"Both teams haven't shown their hand too much," he said.

"I can see Stade being a bit more of a threat behind in this game and hopefully we'll produce more flowing rugby also. However it's good to know we can match them physically. We've put in two good performances and we have to build on that."

One other change in the back line sees Tom Shanklin come in at outside centre, forcing Jamie Robinson onto the bench.

The remaining two changes come in the pack, where Taufa'ao Filise starts at tighthead prop and Robin Sowden-Taylor replaces Martyn Williams.

Gareth Thomas keeps his place at inside centre and is ready for the rematch, having made an unhappy return to France last weekend.

"It's always difficult playing back to back, because you look at the six point deficit on Sunday and think we should beat them at home," he said.

"But there are a number of factors that play a part, the conditions weren't great and that had a bearing.

"Stade have a number of quality players and individual talent. If the conditions are good and the pitch is firm it should be an entertaining game. I think both teams like to play an open game so hopefully the match will be a bit more exciting."

Stade Francais travel to Cardiff with a side showing three changes - chief among them being the inclusion of David Skrela at fly-half after Juan Martin Hernàndez also limped off injured last week.

One more change comes in the back line, with Stéphane Glas replacing Geoffroy Messina - who in turn drops to the bench - while Boela Du Plooy starts ahead of Cliff Milton in the second row.

Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Jamie Roberts, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Gareth Thomas, 11 Tom James; 10 Dai Flanagan, 9 Jason Spice; 1 Gethin Jenkins, 2 Gareth Williams, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 4 Deiniol Jones, 5 Paul Tito, 6 Maama Molitika, 7 Robin Sowden Taylor, 8 Xavier Rush(c).
Replacements: 16 John Yapp, 17 T Rhys Thomas, 18 Scott Morgan, 19 Andy Powell, 20 Martyn Williams, 21 Richie Rees, 22 Jamie Robinson.

Stade Français: 15 Ignacio Corleto, 14 Julien Arias, 13 Stéphane Glas, 12 Brian Liebenberg, 11 Julien Saubade; 10 David Skrela, 9 Jérôme Fillol; 1 Rodrigo Roncero, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski (c), 3 Pieter de Villiers, 4 Boela Du Plooy, 5 Pascal Pape, 6 Antoine Burban, 7 Rémy Martin, 8 Simon Taylor .
Replacements: 16 Mathieu Blin, 17 Franck Montanella, 18 Pedro Ledesma, 19 Cliff Milton, 20 Alexandre Albouy, 21 Mathieu Bastareaud, 22 Geoffroy Messina.