Replacement Gavin: Henson will be replaced by Evans
Cardiff Blues have made two changes to their starting XV for their Heineken Cup decider against Racing Metro Paris 92 on Sunday, 3.15pm kick off.
There is one change in the backs with Gavin Evans coming in for Gavin Henson at inside centre and one change in the forwards with Scott Andrews coming in at tight-head for Fau Filise, who is out with a shoulder injury.
Tom James is on the bench in place of Richard Mustoe and Sam Hobbs comes in as front row cover.
The Blues and Edinburgh are level on 17 points in Pool 2 but if things remain level on match points after the end of the group stages, the Blues will top the pool due to their superior head to head record between the teams, with the Blues 5-4 better off thanks to a losing bonus point they claimed up in Murrayfield.
The maximum either team can get in the pool is 22 points, however, 21 points maybe enough for both teams to qualify as a best placed runners up. With it being the last pool match played over the weekend both teams will know exactly what they need to reach the knock out stages.
Speaking ahead of the match Cardiff Blues Backs Coach Gareth Baber first reflected on the win in Paris saying,
“No team likes being beaten at home and the next time you get to play the opposing team it’s a great opportunity, so I’m sure Racing Metro will be looking to get one over on us.”
“We are mindful of what they will bring, however, we have to back ourselves to get the victory.”
“Our first thoughts are to keep our focus and a winning mentality. We need to get the win and see where we are at the end of it. It’s no good talking about winning bonus points because it’s easy to say what you’re going to do before the game but things change during the match.”
“However, we are fortunate to have the quality players within this group that are able to adapt to the situation in the game and make it count. Rugby is about the winning and sometimes when you produce a winning performance you get maximum points at the end of it.”
Cardiff Blues
15 Leigh Halfpenny
14 Alex Cuthbert
13 Casey Laulala
12 Gavin Evans
11 Chris Czekaj
10 Dan Parks
9 Lloyd Williams
8 Xavier Rush
7 Sam Warburton
6 Michael Paterson
5 Paul Tito (c)
4 Bradley Davies
3 Scott Andrews
2 T Rhys Thomas
1 Gethin Jenkins
Replacements:
16 Ryan Tyrell
17 John Yapp
18 Sam Hobbs
19 Maama Molitika
20 Josh Navidi
21 Richie Rees
22 Ceri Sweeney
23 Tom James
Not available due to injury:
Fau Filise – shoulder
Jamie Roberts – knee
Dafydd Hewitt – hamstring
James Down – ankle
Andries Pretorius – knee
Deiniol Jones – shoulder