WRU Audio: Gethin Jenkins eyes Stade Francais
British & Irish Lions and Wales star Shanklin is recalled to partner Gareth Thomas at centre for the match against the French Champions. Shanklin was named on the replacements bench in Paris as the Blues picked up a losing bonus point but Blues Head Coach Dai Young insists his men must go one better at the Arms Park.
Young said: “In certain positions, we’ve got real quality and that’s the case at centre with Shanklin and Jamie Robinson, but that’s what we are trying to build here. We want real strength in depth with two quality players in each position. With just a six-day turnaround, it’s a factor.
“When you have quality players, it’s a luxury that we can freshen the team up. The team stood up to the challenge last week and we look back on that match as a missed opportunity. There was mixed emotions and we really should have won. We’re not rejoicing at losing but must go one step further this weekend and win.”
Young makes three changes from the 12-6 defeat as Wales flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor gets the nod ahead of veteran Martyn Williams for the Pool 3 tie at the Arms Park. 22-year-old Dai Flanagan replaces fly-half Nicky Robinson who suffered a recurrence of a groin injury in the opening period of last Sunday’s match and Gary Powell makes way for Tongan prop Tao Filise.
Cardiff Blues: B Blair; J Roberts, T Shanklin, G Thomas, T James; D Flanagan, J Spice; G Jenkins, G Williams, T Filise; D Jones, P Tito; M Molitika, X Rush (capt), R Sowden-Taylor
Replacements: J Yapp, TR Thomas, S Morgan, A Powell, M Williams, R Rees, J Robinson
