Blues name team for crunch Bath match
Scrum.com
November 29, 2007

Cardiff Blues return to EDF Energy Cup action this weekend in a crunch match against Bath at the Rec.

The Blues have won one and lost one in the competition, having recorded a bonus point win against Sale Sharks at the Arms Park, and losing to Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.

The Cardiff Blues can reach the last four with a victory, provided Leicester get no points from their match against Sale. Bath could progress to the semi-finals provided they win, Leicester lose and Sale do not score more match points than Bath on the evening.

The Blues know it will be a tough challenge with Bath Rugby having won eight of their last nine matches in all competitions and are undefeated at the Rec in any competition since November 2006.

Brief synopsis:
• A Leicester Tigers victory will see them reach the semi-finals of the EDF Energy Cup for a third successive season.
• A Sale win would be enough for the Sharks provided Cardiff Blues do not also win. Should Bath beat the Blues with a bonus point then Sale would also need a bonus point to progress.
• Cardiff Blues will reach the last four provided they win and Leicester get no points.

15 Jamie Roberts
14 Tal Selley
13 Gareth Thomas
12 Dafydd Hewitt
11 Tom James
10 Dai Flanagan
9 Jason Spice

8 Xavier Rush (capt)
7 Robin Sowden Taylor
6 Maama Molitika
5 Paul Tito
4 Deiniol Jones
3 Gary Powell
2 T Rhys Thomas
1 John Yapp

Replacements:

16 Gethin Jenkins/Taufa'ao Filise
17 Gareth Williams
18 Scott Morgan
19 Andy Powell
20 Ben White
21 Darren Allinson
22 Ryan Howells

Injury news:

Rhys Williams - Will undergo an operation on Thursday night to repair his torn patella tendon in his knee which he suffered during the match against Glasgow. The kneecap was not dislocated as first suspected.

Rob Sidoli - Will have a scan on his injured shoulder which he suffered during the Glasgow.

Bradley Davies - Will also have a scan after injuring his shoulder in training

Jamie Robinson - Suffered a hamstring strain while training with Wales ahead of the match against South Africa. He is rested as a precaution this week.

Richie Rees - Richie was injured in the Heineken Cup bonus point win against Bristol on Sunday (11/11) but is recovering well and should be in contention for the Heineken Cup match against Stade Francais next week..

Nicky Robinson - Nicky injured his hip flexor muscle in the Leicester match. A decision on whether he will be in contention for the Stade Francais match will be taken next week.

Nick Macleod - Nick snapped a tendon in his finger in win against Sale Sharks on the 26th October. An operation to repair the damage will keep him out for five to six weeks but he could be back for the home match against Stade Francais in mid December.

Marc Stcherbina, Chris Czekaj and James Goode are long term injuries.

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