YOUNG ANNOUNCES BLUES SIDE FOR LEINSTER BATTLE

Cardiff Blues” Director of Coaching David Young has announced the team to play Leinster at Royal Dublin Society, Dublin on Saturday 15th October (5.30pm kick off).

The team shows five changes from last weekend’s away match against Wasps.

Gareth Williams and Ben Evans both earn starting positions in the front row, and Maama Molitika teams up with Xavier Rush and Martyn Williams in the back row.

Ryan Powell and Martin Jones are named as replacements and also amongst the substitutes is Australian summer signing, Marc Stcherbina.

The Blues secured a 9-9 draw against Leinster at Donnybrook last season, but lost the return at the Arms Park 6-15.

“Leinster have world-class players and are a tough nut to crack out there, but we can sneak a win,” said Blues flanker Martyn Williams.

“Last week’s defeat at Wasps was a bit of a reality check and showed us where we are.

“We’re not quite at the level of the top sides but we’re getting there, and we need to start getting those wins on the road.”

Leinster (from): Brian O’Meara, Brian O’Riordan, Eoghan Hickey, Christian Warner, Felipe Contepomi, Kieran Lewis, Shane Horgan, Robert Kearney, Denis Hickie, Brendan Burke, Gary Brown, Gordon D’Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Reggie Corrigan, Ronan McCormack, Will Green, Emmett Byrne, Bernard Jackman, David Blaney, Malcolm O’Kelly, Bryce Williams, Ben Gissing, Des Dillon, Simon Crawford, Ciaran Potts, Keith Gleeson, Niall Ronan, Eric Miller, Jamie Heaslip.

Blues: Rhys Williams (capt); Chris Czekaj, Jamie Robinson, Tristan Davies, Craig Morgan; Nicky Robinson, Michael Phillips; John Yapp, Gareth Williams, Ben Evans, Deiniol Jones, Robert Sidoli, Maama Molitika, Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush.
Replacements: Martin Jones, Ross Johnson, Kort Schubert, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Ryan Powell, Marc Stcherbina, Lee Thomas.

Referee: Malcolm Changleng (Scotland)