Lee-Lo hits 150 as Cardiff host Ulster

Rey Lee-Lo will make his 150th appearance as Cardiff host Ulster at the Arms Park on Saturday (KO 7.35pm).

The Samoan has become a cult hero at the Arms Park since arriving at the Welsh capital in 2015 and becomes the fifth member of the current squad to reach the milestone for the club.

Saturday’s encounter will be the final BKT United Rugby Championship match of the season at the Arms Park as Cardiff host Ulster at the capital for the first time since 2018.

The Blue and Blacks welcome back Wales duo Rhys Carré and Dillon Lewis into the starting XV. The props, who line-up alongside Kristian Dacey in the front row, will return to the national squad on Monday.

Lopeti Timani and Seb Davies continue their partnership at lock, with a back row of James Ratti, Ellis Jenkins and captain Josh Turnbull completing an unchanged back five in the pack.

Jarrod Evans has been passed fit and links up with Lloyd Williams at half back, with Max Llewellyn joining Lee-Lo in the centre. Wings Jason Harries and Owen Lane line up either side of full back Ben Thomas.

Cardiff director of rugby, Dai Young said: “We were really pleased to get back to winning ways against Benetton and we need to go up another level this weekend - Ulster are a real, top quality team.

“It is also a really important game in the context of our URC season, and the Welsh Shield, and if we can secure a win, it keeps things very much in our hands.

“Then there is the added motivation of it being our last league game of the season at the Arms Park and Rey’s 150th game.

“Our supporters have been brilliant this season. They come out and back us each and every week and it would be great if we could give them a result.

“I am sure they will also want to mark Rey’s milestone. He is not only one of the very best oversees players we have been privileged to have at the club but he has been one of the most consistent performers in the league for many years and is a great person off the pitch.

“So there is certainly no shortage of desire or motivation ahead of Saturday and we are all looking forward to kick-off and focussing on rugby.”

Teddy Williams is the third member of Wales’ Guinness Six Nations squad included and is named on the bench.

Cardiff: Ben Thomas; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo, Max Llewellyn, Jason Harries; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Rhys Carré, Kristian Dacey, Dillon Lewis, Lopeti Timani, Seb Davies, Josh Turnbull (capt.), Ellis Jenkins, James Ratti

Replacements: Liam Belcher, Corey Domachowski, Keiron Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Ellis Bevan, Aled Summerhill, Matthew Morgan