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Cardiff welcome back World Cup trio for Dragons clash

First Team News | 27th October 2023


Cardiff will welcome back a trio of Rugby World Cup stars as they take on Dragons RFC in Round Three of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Corey Domachowski, Tomos Williams and Mason Grady all featured throughout the global showpiece as Wales reached the quarter-finals in France.

They return to training fit and available this week and go straight into the starting line-up as Matt Sherratt makes four changes for Sunday's clash at Rodney Parade (2.30 KO).

Domachowski packs down in a familiar Rhondda front-row, while Shane Lewis-Hughes and Teddy Williams continue in the second-row. The back-row is also unchanged.

Tomos Williams partners Tinus de Beer at half-back while Mason Grady comes into the centre alongside Willis Halaholo. In the back three there is one further change with Aled Summerhill, who replaces the injured Owen Lane.

Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt, said: “The international boys have been great. I spoke to them last week and they were all excited to come back in. They wanted to make themselves available and wanted to play.

“They have trained well this week and there is absolutely no doubt about their quality. It gives us a real boost just having them back in the building but we also have a bit more depth now.

“It promises to be a great occasion at Rodney Parade on Sunday. The Dragons are a quality side, who will be determined to get the derby bragging rights.

“A lot of the recent fixtures between the two teams have come down to one score and I expect similar on Sunday. It will be a tight affair, a typical derby but we will also go with a willingness to play some good rugby if conditions permit.”

There are three further changes among the replacements bench with Rhys Litterick set for his competitive debut, coming in for Ciaran Parker and Thomas Young and Ben Thomas back available.

Cardiff Rugby: C Winnett; A Summerhill, M Grady, W Halaholo, T Cabango; T de Beer, T Williams; C Domachowski, L Belcher (capt), K Assiratti, S Lewis-Hughes, T Williams, A Mann, E Jenkins, S Davies.

Replacements: E Daniel, R Carré, R Litterick, R Thornton, T Young, E Bevan, B Thomas, H Millard

Unavailable for selection:

Short-term:
Lopeti Timani (hamstring).

Medium to long-term:
Jamie Hill (hamstring), Gwilym Bradley (foot), James Botham (hamstring) Josh Turnbull (knee), Taulupe Faletau (arm), Josh Adams (shoulder)