Blues’ Director of Coaching David Young was clearly pleased, saying, “It’s great having Jamie Robinson back which enables us to give Tal a well earned rest. Jamie didn’t play as much as the other players in the World Cup and is obviously looking forward to getting back and getting some game time.”
“The other Wales RWC players will be back training with us next week. I think it would have been unrealistic to involve the other boys, both mentally and physically, and they are having a rest this week.”
The return of Robinson means that Tal Selley has a chance to rest after a busy start to the season for the former Scarlets centre.
“Tal Selley has been a big player for us since coming from the Ospreys. He’s also got one or two niggles which he’s played with for the last two games,” Young told www.cardiffblues.com.
Munster also welcome back World cup duo Alan Quinlan and Frankie Sheahan both who arrived back on Irish soil yesterday after Ireland’s premature exit from the World Cup in France. The pair’s experience could be crucial as Munster look to preserve their 100% start to the league campaign and reel in the table-topping Blues, who have two games in hand on fourth-placed Munster.
Coach Declan Kidney has also included giant prop Tony Buckley in his extended squad – Buckley flew out to France late last week to provide Ireland with cover in the front row following Simon Best’s hospitalisation.
Meanwhile, for the Blues, Scott Morgan and Bradley Davies will make their first starts of the season and Richie Rees comes in for Jason Spice at scrum half.
“Paul Tito picked up a bit of a dead leg and also a shoulder injury in the match against Leinster that shouldn’t keep him out for too long although he couldn’t train this week,” Young said.
“We took the view that it wasn’t worth risking him especially when we’ve got the quality of Robert Sidoli, Bradley Davies and Deiniol Jones in the squad.”
Having won out in Musgrave Park lat season the Blues will be looking to do the same this season, however it won’t be easy. “We’ve watched Munster’s two opening games very closely, and they play a more expansive game with Paul Warwick at 10 than they do with Ronan O’Gara,” added Young.
“Their new signing Rua Tipoki has added a cutting edge to them behind and is a real threat. Up front they play a very traditional Munster game, with driving line outs and a strong scrum, with a lot of pick and goes around the rucks.”
“We will be looking to bounce back from last Friday. It was disappointing that we had all the field position and all the possession and didn’t win the game. You’ve got to give Leinster credit, they won the game with their defence, we were creating opportunities but couldn’t finish them off,” Young concluded.
Munster are expected to reduce their squad to a matchday 22 after training tomorrow and the starting line-up will be announced at midday on Thursday.
Cardiff Blues: Ben Blair; Jamie Roberts, Jamie Robinson, Dafydd Hewitt, Tom James; Nick Robinson, Richie Rees; John Yapp, Gareth Williams, Gary Powell, Bradley Davies, Robert Sidoli, Scott Morgan, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Xavier Rush (capt).
Replacements: Scott Roberts, Ross Johnson, Deiniol Jones, Ben White, Jason Spice, Nick Macleod, Rhys Williams.
Munster squad: Forwards – Darragh Hurley, Tim Ryan, Tony Buckley, Denis Fogarty, Sean Cronin, Frankie Sheahan, Federico Pucciariello, Mark Melbourne, Mick O’Driscoll, Billy Holland, Niall Ronan, Tommy O’Donnell, James Coughlan, Alan Quinlan, Anthony Foley (capt).
Backs – Shaun Payne, Ian Dowling, Kieran Lewis, Lifeimi Mafi, Rua Tipoki, Anthony Horgan, Paul Warwick, Jeremy Manning, Tomas O’Leary, Gerry Hurley.
Referee: David Changleng (SRU)
