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International Round-Up: Cardiff Blues represented in Wales and Lions victories

3rd June 2017


Sam Warburton played 66 minutes as he returned from injury during British & Irish Lions' opening tour match against New Zealand Provincial Barbarians.

The Cardiff Blues back row was named captain for the clash at Toll Stadium, as Warren Gatland’s side claimed a narrow 13-7 victory over the select side, thanks to a second half try from Bath wing Anthony Watson.

Warburton lined up alongside Wales team-mates Taulupe Faletau and Ross Moriarty in the Lions back-row, before being replaced by Justin Tipuric during the second half.

The 28-year old, who is Lions tour captain for the second time in his career, was injured during Cardiff Blues’ Guinness PRO12 24-24 draw with Ulster at Kingspan Stadium in April.

Meanwhile, nine Cardiff Blues players took part in Wales’ 88-19 victory over RGC1404, as Robin McBryde’s side continued their preparations for the summer tests against Tonga and Samoa.

Seb Davies, Gareth Anscombe, Kristian Dacey, Ellis Jenkins and Cory Allen were named in the starting line-up, while Tomos Williams, Josh Navidi, Alex Cuthbert and Dillon Lewis contributed from the bench.

Ellis Jenkins’ brace of tries helped to put Wales in a commanding position in the first half, with Cory Allen also adding two tries during the first 40.

Further tries from Jamie Roberts and a Tyler Morgan hat-trick saw Wales passing the half century mark before half time.

Wales made a host of changes during the break, and Alex Cuthbert made instant impact, crossing the whitewash with his first touch of the ball.

Anscombe soon added further misery to RGC, charging down Jacob Botica’s clearance kick, for his side’s 10th try of the evening. 

Anscombe, who moved from full back to outside half for the second half, also contributed 14 points from the boot.

Replacement back row, Thomas Young, touched down from the base of a scrum before Cory Allen sealed his hat-trick. 

Young and Cuthbert would go on to claim their second tries of the game to complete the victory at Parc Eirias.

Scrum half Tomos Williams was sin-binned in the latter stages of the game for an off-the-ball tackle.

The WRU National Cup winners claimed tries of their own through Afon Bagshaw, Tom Hughes and Evan Yardley.

Wales go on to face Tonga at Eden Park later in the month, before a clash with Rey Lee-Lo’s Samoa at Apia.