Connacht: 15 G Duffy; 14 L Bibo; 13 N Ta'auso; 12 A Wynne; 11 F Carr; 10 I Keatley; 9 F Murphy; 1 B Wilkinson; 2 S Cronin; 3 R Morris; 4 M McCarthy; 5 B Upton; 6 J Muldoon (c); 7 J O'Connor; 8 M McComish
Replacements: 16 A Flavin; 17 R Loughney; 18 M Swift; 19 R Ofisa; 20 C O'Loughlin; 21 M Nikroa; 22 B Tuohy.
Following Cardiff RFC all over from sunny Bournemouth in Blue and Black
There is also a place in the squad for recent arrival and Air New Zealand Cup winner, Casey Lualua. The Blues recorded a 58-0 victory against Connacht at home last season, but after home defeats against London Irish and the tourists Australia, the Blues will be keen to record a win against the basement club. Captain Paul Tito said, "Connahct are a very dogged team, they may not be as flashy or flamboyant as other teams, but they do the basics very well. They have a strong set piece and like to dog wins out which they do very effectively. "We were all disappointed to lose out there (Galway) in September, in what was a very tight encounter, so hopefully we will get one back on them this weekend. "Its been a fairly disappointing start to our Magners League campaign this year, with games not going our way, however this has not been through a lack of trying or hard work by all the coaches and players. "We've welcomed Casey Lualua to the squad and he will be a good addition to the team. I've played against him once or twice back in New Zealand so know what a quality player he is. "We are quite strong in midfied already so hopefully it will be a real scrap for selection which will bring out the best in all players competing in those positions. "I hope we can put in a good performance, so the fans can get behind us and we'll come away with the win that will give us some much needed Magners League points." Tickets are still on sale, with a buy one get one free offer still running till close of business Saturday. The ticket office is open Saturday, as there is a football game at the stadium. Call 0845 345 1400 or www.cardiffblues.com/tickets View the preview of the game on Bluesrugby.TV now by clicking the player below. CARDIFF BLUES; BEN BLAIR, RICHARD MUSTOE, CASEY LAULALA, TOM SHANKLIN, TOM JAMES, SAM NORTON-KNIGHT, GARETH COOPER, GETHIN JENKINS, T RHYS THOMAS, FAAO FILISE, DEINIOL JONES, PAUL TITO (C), SAM WARBURTON, MARTYN WILLIAMS, XAVIER RUSH REPLACEMENTS; RHYS WILLIAMS, GARY POWELL, SCOTT MORGAN, ANDRIES PRETORIUS, RICHIE REES, CERI SWEENEY, GARETH THOMAS
Hands OFF
Captain Paul Tito said, "Connahct are a very dogged team,......"
Oh dear. This is from the bloose website, but did Tito did actually pronounce their name incorrectly?
By the way; the Clubhouse is closed today.
Cardiff Blues view of the match here: http://www.cardiffblues.com/37_4762.php
BBC Wales Sport View of the match: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/8386855.stm
Thomson House: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2009/12/06/blues-rampant-in-connacht-win-91466-25334265/
Simply dreadful.
Dreadful game
Dreadful crowd
Dreadful all round.
spoke to 5 people in the BIRCHGROVE after the game , 3 paid 2 on freebies. consenus! never again . and just think about it its only december.
Can,t wait for end of season WILL NOT be renewing season ticket,
Rubbish game
no atmosphere
rubbish time to play 3pm Sunday
SNK rubbish
what a con to buy season tickets then give away all these freebies
Rubbish scheduling of fixtures ie LI,Aus,Con.,Toulose and NGD at home between 15 Nov and 27 Dec then Sale,Newcastle,Leinster, Ulster and Munster at home between Dec 28 and May 7/8/9 what a joke
I've had enough all the enjoyment of watching live rugby has gone it's now a chore
theo: Can,t wait for end of season WILL NOT be renewing season ticket, Rubbish game no atmosphere rubbish time to play 3pm Sunday SNK rubbish what a con to buy season tickets then give away all these freebies Rubbish scheduling of fixtures ie LI,Aus,Con.,Toulose and NGD at home between 15 Nov and 27 Dec then Sale,Newcastle,Leinster, Ulster and Munster at home between Dec 28 and May 7/8/9 what a joke I've had enough all the enjoyment of watching live rugby has gone it's now a chore
I agree with all that.
So you could say that both of us are undecided.
7105!
Yeah Right
Hey guys, the Rags managed to do something that the first team has failed to do in a dog's age - win in Llanelli.
You'll get more rugby satisfaction using your New Blues season ticket to only watch matches at CAP from now on. It will refresh your love for the game. Give it a go. Uncle Peter's ego will only take a bruising when the Rags get as many to watch their game as Tew has to give freebies away to get a crowd to the soccer stadium.
Glad I was Prostrate in my bed with flu then Theo.
I'm realising already that CAP has more to offer than CCS.
The freedom, the banter, the surroundings, the entertainment and dare I say it, the facilities have been far superior.
Overall, my experiences at Leckwith so far have only confirmed what I feared. Absolutely what I don't want.
Toulouse next week, so I suppose this game should be the best of the bunch. Everything will click, the team will get a winning bonus point and the financial problems will be forgotten. For a day or so.
I've given up totally on the Blues now. Even planned to go to london next week instead of going to SDR (probably take the same amount of time to get there any way).
As mentioned using my Blues season ticket for the Rags only now. It is a far more enjoyable experience!
I definitely will not be buying a Blues season ticket next year!
Yesterday was a terrible experience. My mate bought me a beer, it was cack. It there nothing good about that hell-hole?
All The Time Ref: Yesterday was a terrible experience. My mate bought me a beer, it was cack. It there nothing good about that hell-hole?
There's only 19 and a half seasons to go.
It's a shame that many don't like the stadium as that could have rescued the deal. I mention "deal", I mean "totally shambolic rogering of the future of the company by this Board of Directors".
We're the same - had to be elsewhere by around 4:00 and therefore just couldn't be bothered to go to such a soul-less place on a cold wet Sunday late afternoon/evening for only one half of rugby.
Much more enjoyment watching the RFC side - not bad crowds starting at the arms park now as well...... perhaps they may even have to consider re-opening up the other side shortly if the numbers keep going up?
Not renewing season tickets at Leckwith next year as up to now we would have only had to pay for one match this season!
Cardiff born and Cardiff bred Supporting rugby in Cardiff
..........."if it aint broke, then keep fixing it until it is!"
I have never been to the soccer ground and i never will, i do not go to the rugby so much these days but i do take in the odd home game with the rfc and it is all about a social occasion with some half decent rugby to keep us away from the bar.
It's a great shame that the Cardiff RFC Premiership side is away at Sardis Road this Saturday.
Just imagine if it was Cardiff v Pontypridd, what a slap in the face for knuckle head Thomas if there was a bigger turn out for the Cardiff RFC Premiership side than for his B'lose.
Al would it be a slap in the face? Does he care about Cardiff rugby?