Trio of Cardiff's Six Nations stars return for Scarlets derby

May 14, 2021
1997
Ultimate Rugby

A trio of Six Nations stars return as Dai Young makes five changes to face the Scarlets in the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup on Saturday (3pm local).

Tomos Williams, Jarrod Evans and Willis Halaholo, who were all part of the triumphant Championship squad, return to the starting line-up as the capital city outfit target a third victory over the Scarlets this season.

The trio last started for Cardiff in the dramatic European Challenge Cup defeat to London Irish and have since been eased back into action.

The return of Williams and Evans at half-back sees Ben Thomas move into the centre to partner Halaholo, while the same back three of Hallam Amos, Josh Adams and Jason Harries is retained.

The two other changes come in the pack as Kristian Dacey pulls on the number two jersey in an all international front-row with Rhys Carré and Dillon Lewis, and James Ratti starts at number eight.

Both Scarlets and Cardiff Blues are one win from two games in the new Rainbow Cup but Dai Young’s men hold the bragging rights after impressive back-to-back league wins over their Welsh rivals in January.

And the Cardiff Blues director of rugby believes that alone is motivation enough for the Scarlets, who will be looking for revenge back on their home patch.

Young said: “It’s a similar match-day 23 to last week with a few more boys coming back in but others unfortunately missing out through injury.

"We're taking a step closer to fielding our strongest side and the boys are highly motivated for what promises to be another high intensity Welsh derby.

“For the first 35 minutes against the Dragons we played some of the best rugby since I have been here but thereafter indiscipline hurt us and we did well to win the game. Now we want to follow that up with another triumph but well aware the Scarlets will be coming for us.

“They will want to put the record straight and we know we will need to be back to our best for the full 80 minutes. We cannot afford the same indiscipline and need to be accurate on both sides of the ball.”

With Dmitri Arhip (calf), Ellis Bevan (HIA), Max Llewellyn (shoulder) and Owen Lane (suspended) joining those already unavailable, fans favourite Dan Fish returns among the replacements.

Liam Belcher and Corey Domachowski return from injury to line up and the bench and they are joined by the vastly experienced Lloyd Williams.

Cardiff Blues: Hallam Amos; Jason Harries, Willis Halaholo, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carré, Kristian Dacey, Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Cory Hill, Josh Turnbull (capt.), Olly Robinson, James Ratti

Replacements: Liam Belcher, Corey Domachowski, Keiron Assiratti, Rory Thornton, Gwilym Bradley, Lloyd Williams, Dan Fish, Harri Millard

Scarlets: Leigh Halfpenny; Tom Rogers, Jonathan Davies, Ioan Nicholas, Johnny McNicholl; Angus O’Brien, Kieran Hardy; Rob Evans,Ryan Elias (CAPT), Alex Jeffries, Josh Helps, Lewis Rawlins, Aaron Shingler, Jac Morgan, Ed Kennedy.

Replacements: Ken Owens, Steff Thomas, Javan Sebastian, Morgan Jones, Iestyn Rees, Gareth Davies, Dan Jones, Joe Roberts.