Blues and Scarlets need win to ensure place in semi-finals Magners League – Rugby news
On Friday, May 6th, the Blues and Scarlets encounter at Parc y Scarlets should be a thriller as both teams play their last match of the regular season. Friday’s encounter is a must-win match for both teams in order
to secure their places in the plays-offs of the Magners League.
Cardiff Blues are currently at fourth place in the Magners League with 60 points. However, their place is not guaranteed in the Magners League semifinals as both Ospreys and Scarlets are trailing them closely. Blues have a single
point lead over the Ospreys and a two point lead over the Scarlets.
Scarlets with 11 wins out of their 21 games in the season so far are at sixth place with 57 points. Cardiff Blues have won 13 of the 21 games they have played this season but the Blues have not won a game away from their home
ground on Welsh soil during 2010/11 Magners League.
Scarlets were among the top four squads of the Magners League for a consecutive 12 weeks before they slumped to the sixth position. Earlier in round six of the Magners League, the club has already defeated the Blues 16-10 at Cardiff City Stadium.
Both teams have made a number of changes for their crunch game, as defeat will surely end their season. Blues have left out winger Tom James after he sustained a groin injury last Friday. Jamie Roberts replaces him at wing, while Leigh Halfpenny and Richard
Mustoe are left out, as Dafydd Hewitt will start for Blues at centre.
Blues lock Bradley Davies will also miss the match after he sustained a chest injury during their last encounter against the Dragons at Newport last Friday. Michael Paterson has replaced him at lock for the last round game.
Blues will also be without their first choice prop, John Yapp, after he injured his calf during their last weekend match against the Dragons. Sam Hobbs will move from the bench to the playing xv.
Scarlets, coming from their 37 – 29 win over Glasgow that included five tries, will be looking for their second win over the Blues. Scarlets will be at full strength in this all-important game and start as favourites for the match.
A win for Scarlets does not guarantee them a spot in the semi-finals straightaway but it will pull the curtains on the Blues chances to reach the play-offs.
Squad
Scarlets
Starting XV: 15 Morgan Stoddart, 14 George North, 13 Regan King, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 6 Rob McCusker, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Matthew
Rees (c), 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Phil John, 18 Peter Edwards, 19 David Lyons, 20 Richie Pugh, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Rhys Priestland, Lee Williams.
Cardiff Blues
Starting XV:15 Dan Fish, 14 Jamie Roberts, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Dafydd Hewitt, 11 Chris Czekaj, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Sam Warburton, 5 Paul Tito (c), 4 Michael Paterson, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 Gareth
Williams, 1 Sam Hobbs.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Williams, 17 Tom Davies, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Deiniol Jones, 20 Ma'ama Molitika, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Ceri Sweeney, 23 Harry Robinson.
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