Jenkins to make 100th URC appearance

Ellis Jenkins will make his 100th BKT United Rugby Championship appearance when Cardiff take on DHL Stormers at the Arms Park on Friday night (7:35pm).

The open-side flanker made his league debut during the 2011-12 season and has established himself as a key player in Blue and Black with 139 first team appearances in total.

Jenkins is named in an unchanged back-row but there are five changes elsewhere in the pack where Corey Domachowski returns to the starting XV, alongside Will Davies-King, who makes his first start of the season. Elsewhere Seb Davies continues at lock, where he is joined by Rory Thornton.

There are two further changes in the back-line with Ellis Bevan handed the number nine jersey, after Tomos Williams was ruled out due to a short-term injury, and Willis Halaholo replaces Rey Lee-Lo.

Cardiff sealed a thrilling victory over the Stormers on the last occasion the two teams met at the Arms Park in October 2023.

Cardiff Rugby head coach, Matt Sherratt said: “We were disappointed with the draw last week and felt the players deserved more. However, that’s sport and you do not always get what you deserve.

“Given the manner in which the game finished, the boys have been chomping at the bit to get back on the pitch.

“We have fond memories of facing the Stormers at the Arms Park a year ago and are hoping for another good Friday night crowd with a great atmosphere.

“The Stormers are a quality team and they will be determined to finish their four games on the road with a victory.

“They play a really high risk, high reward game, which will put pressure on us and test our skill-set so we will need to be really accurate.

“We are all really looking forward to the challenge and will do everything possible to give our home crowd something to get behind and hopefully celebrate.”

There are two potential debutants on the bench, with academy product Mackenzie Martin and new loan-signing Gabriel Hamer-Webb both included for the first time.

Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett; Harri Millard, Willis Halaholo, Ben Thomas, Mason Grady; Tinus de Beer, Ellis Bevan; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher (capt), Will Davies-King, Seb Davies, Rory Thornton, Alex Mann, Ellis Jenkins, Lopeti Timani.

Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Rhys Carré, Rhys Litterick, Josh Turnbull, Mackenzie Martin, Jamie Hill, Jacob Beetham, Gabriel Hamer-Webb.

Unavailable for selection: Gwilym Bradley (foot), Taulupe Faletau (arm), Theo Cabango (shoulder), Ciaran Parker (hamstring), Thomas Young (calf), Jim Botham (hamstring), Aled Summerhill (hamstring), Shane Lewis-Hughes (shoulder), Matthew Aubrey (calf), Josh Adams (shoulder) , Keiron Assiratti (ankle)