Blues ring changes for Dragons clash

The Welsh international scrum half was a replacement during Friday night’s bonus point victory in the Borders that moved the Blues into third place in the Magners League table.

Phillips takes over from Canadian international Ed Fairhurst as one of three changes behind the scrum from the 41-14 triumph in Scotland. Ben Blair reclaims the fullback berth from the injured Nick Macleod, while Marc Stcherbina comes in at centre in place of Jamie Robinson.

The game will be the first of two Welsh regional derbies the Blues face in the space of five days. On Saturday they travel to Stradey Park to meet the Scarlets. If they can secure another bonus point against the Dragons then they would leapfrog both Leinster and the Ospreys to take over at the top of the table.

Up front, Coach Dai Young has made changes in each row of the scrum. Gareth Williams takes over from Rhys Thomas at hooker, Scott Morgan drops to the back row to allow Rob Sidoli to return at lock and Mark Lewis drops to the bench to accommodate Morgan in the back row.

Cardiff Blues: Ben Blair; Rhys Williams, Tom Shanklin, Marc Stcherbina, Chris Czekaj; Nicky Robinson, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams, Gary Powell, Deiniol Jones, Robert Sidoli, Scott Morgan, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Xavier Rush (Capt)

Replacements: Scott Roberts, Rhys Thomas, Bradley Davies, Mark Lewis, Martyn Williams, Wayne Evans, Jamie Robinson