Wasps v Cardiff Blues: Teams

Cardiff Blues will take on Wasps in the European Challenge Cup semi-final with only one recognised scrum-half, Darren Allinson, after Welsh international Richie Rees was ruled out.

Rees has failed to recover from an ankle injury he picked up in the win over the Dragons last weekend and Gareth Cooper is out for the season with a groin injury.

Blues, Wales and Lions centre Jamie Roberts has recovered from his knee injury and takes his place in the starting XV, while Andy Powell still needs two to three weeks to recover from his calf injury.

It will thus be one of Xavier Rush's swansongs in a blue shirt and he said on Thursday how much he would like to bow out on a high after five years in the Welsh capital.

Fired up

"It would be cracking to end with a piece of silverware," said the 32-year-old. "It would definitely be the note I would like to go out on.

"We have got these opportunities in front of us now, so hopefully we can take them.

"It builds confidence to win trophies and the habit of winning is important for a squad."

The Blues have won five matches on the bounce in all competitions and will go into the match plenty of confidence, while Wasps will be fired up after their St. George's Day defeat to Bath.

Making four changes to the starting line up that faced Bath, Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks gives England and Lions prop Phil Vickery his first start since returning from neck surgery.

Vickery replaces Ben Broster, who is named on the bench, and is the only change to the Wasps pack.

In the back division Samoan International David Lemi starts on the wing following recovery from a calf strain. Lemi replaces Tom Varndell who is named amongst the replacements and joined by Danny Cipriani and Steve Kefu as Dave Walder and Ben Jacobs start.

Focused

Looking ahead to the game, Hanks said, "Cardiff's form since Christmas suggests that they're playing with great confidence and utilising the full depth of their very talented squad.

"The international quality is evident throughout their team, with some of the best players that Wales has to offer and some hugely exciting southern hemisphere talents.

"Wasps have a very proud record in this competition, and we're extremely focused on maintaining that presence in Europe. Winning trophies is what drives this group intensely.

"It's something that, as a Cclub, we've done very well over the last decade - but it's not something we take for granted and this group of players is determined to establish its own legacy.

"We were bitterly disappointed at the result in last weekend's St George's Day Game, but Saturday's Semi Final gives us an opportunity to produce a performance which rewards the fans for their support this season and reflects our own character and intent."

Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Ben Jacobs, 12 Dom Waldouck, 11 David Lemi, 10 Dave Walder, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Dan Ward-Smith, 7 Tom Rees (capt), 6 Joe Worsley, 5 George Skivington, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Phil Vickery, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Ben Broster, 18 Zak Taulafo, 19 John Hart, 20 Serge Betsen, 21 Danny Cipriani, 22 Steve Kefu, 23 Tom Varndell.

Cardiff Blues:15 Ben Blair, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Chris Czekaj, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Darren Allinson, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Maama Molitika, 5 Paul Tito (c), 4 Deiniol Jones, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Gareth Williams, 17 John Yapp, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Bradley Davies, 20 Sam Warburton, 21 Dai Flanagan, 22 Dafydd Hewitt, 23 Richard Mustoe.