So the Magners League fixtures have been announced – and yet again the Magners League underwhelms me.
This is a league that gets much derision for a number of reasons, for teams not taking it seriously, for a lack of fans, for a lack of interest. But yet again we see just how the Magners League address this issue – they do nothing and hope it works.
Now I do think the Guinness Premiership is an over rated league. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a number of things …

The Heineken Cup fixtures have been announced, and with all the Welsh regions taking part again this year (with the Scarlets thankful the Blues won the Amlin cup) all are looking forward to taking on the best that Europe has to offer.
The Ospreys have one hell of a start – away to Toulon, whilst the Blues have life a little easier at home to Edinburgh. The Dragons start away to Glasgow
Ospreys
Sat 9 Oct Toulon V Ospreys – 2.35pm – Stade Felix Mayol – Canal +
Fri 15 Oct …

It is now finalised that Andy Powell has left the Cardiff Blues and joined Wasps – not the move to rugby league that many were predicting.
This is interesting in a number of ways. Firstly that the Blues are prepared to get rid of their Lions and Welsh star despite him having two years left on his contract. Whilst they may have managed to somehow keep Xavier Rush when he looked set to join Ulster the loss of Andy Powell is a significant loss in depth at the 8 …

Dai young has named his Cardiff Blues side to take on Ulster in the Magners League this weekend, and it includes a number of returning Welsh Internationals, straight off the back of Wales’ 6 Nations campaign.
The likes of Halfpenny and Tom James are likely to be looking to prove a point when it comes to the Welsh spot, with the tour to New Zealand coming up, and no doubt Richie Rees would like to start putting in some performances to keep his stock high with the Welsh management.
But of course …

This could be written about almost any of our regions, but with recent changes I think that the Cardiff Blues highlight this the most…
Did you know that over 20,000 turned up to watch the Ospreys yesterday?  The problem?  It was in Italy, not Wales.  That’s right, the Italians get (a reported) 20,543 to watch Viadana vs the Ospreys.  Even at £5 a ticket do you think the Ospreys will get close to that?
But more worrying is what is going on down at the rubbishly named Cardiff City Stadium.  There was …

And the winner of the poll question for which region will have the most successful season is – the Dragons!
Have to admit that I did not see that coming.  They achieved a narrow victory (of just  vote) over the Ospreys, with Cardiff Blues and Llanelli Scarlets tied for last place, well behind the top 2 regions.
Pretty much reflects the Magners league at the moment, though the Scarlets could point to their impressive Heineken cup results to suggest they could do something this season.
<h3>Final Votes</h3>
Dragons – 32 votes
Ospreys – 31 votes
Cardiff …

The Ospreys have decided that this game doesn’t matter, that can be the only explanation for the team that they have named vs the Cardiff Blues. Form players like James Hook and Nikki Walker have been dropped to the bench, whilst limited players who have struggled for form such as Andrew Bishop and Sonny Parker are playing – all but guaranteeing our back 3 won’t get any ball.
With the scrum in such bad shape the Ospreys have relied on their talented backline to do the business – this isn’t …

The Cardiff Blues have named their team to take on the Ospreys in Saturdays big Welsh derby match.  The big news is the welcome return of star flanker Martyn Williams – in time for game time before the autumn internationals.
Paul Tito also returns from injury and is selected on the bench.  Promising young flanker Sam Warburton is selected on the blindside with ‘nugget’ returning whilst Gareth Cooper regains a starting spot from Richie Rees at scrum half.
With the Welsh squad for the autumn internationals being named the day after a …

It’s happening – Cardiff Blues are going to be taking on Australia on the 24th of November.  No word yet as to whether it is Australia or ‘Australia A’, presumably they will wait to see the result as they did after the Ospreys beat them a few years back (a great day in my opinion, but I may be slightly biased).
But a great coup for the Blues, bringing in the two times rugby World Champions gives a guaranteed sell out – which at the Leckwith should mean a huge amount …

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 …