SHANKLIN BACK IN BLUES’ LINEUP
Shanklin has watched every game this season from the sidelines following an operation to cure the knee injury that cut short his summer excursion to New Zealand. Shanklin’s timely return comes as the Blues are in a rich vein of form, having won their last three matches against the Scarlets and Glasgow in the Celtic League and Saracens in the Powergen Cup. But the Blues have visited England just twice before in their short history as a region: in December 2003 they lost 24-26 to Sale in Stockport, and in December 2004 they were beaten 19-23 at Gloucester, and will be keen to leave the Causeway stadium with the points.
A win will see them take command of Pool B, putting them in the box-seat for the knockout stages.
“Tom Shanklin is an attacking weapon for us and he gives us a real cutting edge,” Blues coach Dai Young told BBC Wales Sport. “He showed with the Lions how good a player he is. He would be a boost for any side and we’re no different.”
Young has made six changes to the side for their visit to the Causeway Stadium. Ryan Powell is preferred to Mike Phillips at scrum-half, Deiniol Jones takes Craig Quinnell’s place while Maama Molitika and Robin Sowden-Taylor make way for Williams and Rush. But Pontypridd RFC player Dwayne Goodfield continues at hooker after impressing on his regional debut.
He covers for Rhys Thomas, out for a month after a cartilage operation, and Gareth Williams, whose hamstring will keep him out for another week. Martyn Williams and Xavier Rush will also make their first starts of the season.
