Ryan Jones will be out to secure back-to-back finals for the Ospreys © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

News: Gloucester and Blues book final date

Matches: Cardiff Blues 11 - 5 Northampton Saints | Gloucester Rugby 17 - 0 Ospreys

Tournaments/Tours: Anglo-Welsh Cup

Teams: Cardiff Blues | England | Gloucester Rugby | Northampton Saints | Ospreys | Wales

The Anglo-Welsh Cup reaches the semi-final stage this weekend, with current champions Ospreys kicking off the action against Gloucester. The fans packed in to Coventry's Ricoh Arena will then be treated to the second semi, with Cardiff Blues looking to progress to Twickenham against Jim Mallinder's Northampton Saints.

The Ospreys welcome back a host of their Wales contingent, with skipper Ryan Jones returning to the back-row as he looks to lift the Cup for the second time. Fullback Lee Byrne misses the game due to the ankle injury that he sustained during Wales' final Six Nations game against Ireland last weekend. Gavin Henson takes his place in the No.15 shirt, with Ireland wing Tommy Bowe and Shane Williams both back in action - on the same side this weekend. James Hook starts alongside Kiwi Jamie Nutbrown at halfback, with Mike Phillips on the bench.

Gloucester boss Dean Ryan has handed the captain's armband to England centre Mike Tindall, who slots in to the midfield alongside Anthony Allen. Ryan Lamb wears the No.10 jersey, with Carlos Spencer cup-tied due to his involvement in the competition with Northampton. In an exciting back-three, fullback Olly Morgan is joined by James Simpson-Daniel and Iain Balshaw.

In the pack, Welshmen Will James and Gareth Delve are joined by All Blacks legend Greg Somerville, who wears the No.3 jersey.[Teams]

Cardiff Blues boss Dai Young was dealt a late blow after openside Martyn Williams was ruled out of their game with the Saints. Williams, who has 88 caps for Wales, has failed to recover from a foot injury that he picked up on international duty last weekend. Robin Sowden Taylor takes his place in a back-row that is also missing Andy Powell, the No.8 still out with a thigh injury. Former skipper Xavier Rush slots in in his place.

Paul Tito leads the side from the second-row, while in the backs there is plenty of international class. Tom Shanklin and Jamie Roberts start in the centre with Ben Blair, Tom James and Leigh Halfpenny supplying the ammunition in the back-three.

The Saints have been able to call on their international contingent, with Dylan Hartley and Euan Murray returning in the front-row and Scott Gray also returning after starting for Scotland against England last weekend. Stephen Myler starts at fly-half, with Lee Dickson at scrum-half. Ben Foden again starts at fullback, with Bruce Reihana leading the side from the wing. [Teams]