Cardiff Blues Team

The huge Cardiff Blues injury list has hit even harder with Xavier Rush missing out on the Heineken Cup clash away at Sale.  The flu bug that struck him, Tom Shanklin and Sam Warbuton has ruled him out – though both Shanklin and Warburton have recovered to resume their places in the team following on from the win against the Harlequins.

With Rush out the backrow has been rejigged, Robin Snowden-Taylor comes in on the openside flank, Andy Powell moves to number 8 and Sam Warburton moves over to the blindside.

Some good news for both Cardiff and Wales is that world class loose head prop Gethin Jenkins returns to captain the side in his first game since getting injured playing for the British Lions vs South Africa (don’t forget the British Lions DVD is coming out next week).

Cardiff Blues Team vs Sale

15 Ben Blair 14 Leigh Halfpenny 13 Tom Shanklin 12 Jamie Roberts 11 Tom James 10 Sam Norton-Knight 9 Richie Rees

8 Andy Powell 7 Robin Sowden Taylor 6 Sam Warburton 5 Scott Morgan 4 Deiniol Jones 3 Taufa’au Filise 2 Gareth Williams 1 Gethin Jenkins (c)

16 T Rhys Thomas 17 Darren Morris 18 Gary Powell 19 Ben White 20 Rhys Williams 21 Gareth Cooper 22 Ceri Sweeney 23 Richard Mustoe