Cardiff Blues will hope to feel the benefit of their TV advertising campaign along with the return of their Rugby World Cup heroes and a fantastic win against Racing Metro in Paris, when they take on London Irish this Friday, 18 November, 8pm kick off, in their Round 2 Heineken Cup match.
The TV advert, which is broadcast at peak hours on S4C including during the channel’s Heineken Cup coverage, is an all action affair and features a mix of up and coming young players, some more familiar Blues stars and the six Wales Rugby World Cup players: Sam Warburton, Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny, Lloyd Williams, Gethin Jenkins and Bradley Davies.
The six stars were made available for press interviews the week they returned to training with the Blues, allowing fans to read their thoughts and opinions on the World Cup as well as the forthcoming Heineken Cup matches. In addition, their image has been used to advertise the London Irish match online as well as on bus screens, posters in pubs, S4C’s website and there will be a special signing session with some of the World Cup players on Thursday, 4.30pm to 5.30pm, at the Stadium Superstore.
The Blues also have fantastic offer for season ticket holders for the match, who are able to purchase additional tickets for family and friends for Friday’s match for only £10. (maximum of two ticket). There’s also an offer for Cardiff Blues Stadium Card holders who can claim £5 off their match tickets.
Family tickets, for two adults and two children, are also on general sale priced at only £24 for seats in the Family Stand.
Speaking ahead of the match, Cardiff Blues Forwards Coach, Justin Brunell said,
“We enjoyed fantastic support from all the supporters who travelled over to Paris last weekend for our match against Racing Metro.”
“It was great to hear such vocal support at the ground and it certainly lifted the players and the coaching team, so hopefully they will be equally vocal on Friday.”
“I thought the support was amazing.”
Cardiff Blues openside and World Cup Captain Sam Warburton said,
“We secured a great win out in Paris last weekend, but know it means nothing unless we back it up with a win against London Irish tomorrow.”
“The support from the Blues fans in the Racing Metro match was immense so we hope there will be a big crowd coming down on Friday and make as much noise.”
“All the World Cup players are excited to be playing our first game at the Cardiff City Stadium since returning from New Zealand and it promises to be a great match.”
The Blues have made two changes to the starting XV that defeated Racing Metro. Paul Tito returns to the second row in place of the injured James Down and also captains the team, while Dafydd Hewitt starts in the centre in place of the injured Jamie Roberts.
Season Ticket Holders and Stadium Card holders wishing to make the most of the offers for the London Irish match can do so by calling the ticket office on 0845 345 1400 or online at www.cardifflbues.com/tickets
Cardiff Blues 15 Chris Czekaj 14 Alex Cuthbert 13 Casey Laulala 12 Dafydd Hewitt 11 Tom James 10 Dan Parks 9 Lloyd Williams
8 Xavier Rush 7 Sam Warburton 6 Michael Paterson 5 Paul Tito (c) 4 Bradley Davies 3 Taufa’ao Filise 2 T Rhys Thomas 1 Gethin Jenkins
16 Marc Breeze 17 John Yapp 18 Scott Andrews 19 Maama Molitika 20 Josh Navidi 21 Richie Rees 22 Ceri Sweeney 23 Gavin Evans
The Blues are without the following players due to injury:
Deiniol Jones – shoulder
James Down – ankle
Jamie Roberts - knee
Leigh Halfpenny – foot
Martyn Williams - wrist
Gavin Henson - wrist
Kristian Dacey - shoulder