Preview: Leicester Tigers v Cardiff Blues

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Cardiff Blues travel to Welford Road on Sunday with all to play for in the final two rounds of European action.

John Mulvihill’s side currently sit in second place in Pool 5 – five points behind their hosts.

Wales’ Capital Region have been boosted by the return of tighthead duo, Dillon Lewis and Dmitri Arhip, into the matchday squad, after both recovered from recent injuries.

Leicester Tigers, who have never suffered defeat to a Welsh side in Europe, have included England internationals George Ford, captain Tom Youngs and Ellis Genge in their matchday 23.

Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Jason Harries, Josh Adams, Rey Lee-Lo, Hallam Amos; Jason Tovey, Lloyd Williams; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher, Dillon Lewis, Filo Paulo, Josh Turnbull, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Josh Navidi (capt.), Seb Davies

Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Brad Thyer, Dmitri Arhip, James Ratti, Will Boyde, Olly Robinson, Tomos Williams, Ben Thomas

Leicester Tigers: Telusa Veainu; Jordan Olowofela, George Worth, Kyle Eastmond, Rory Hughes; George Ford, Ben White; Greg Bateman, Tom Youngs (capt.), Joe Heyes, Joe Batley, Harry Wells, Sam Lewis, Tommy Reffell, Jordan Coghlan

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ellis Genge, Nephi Leatigaga, Will Spencer, Ifereimi Boladau, Harry Simmons, Noel Reid, Adam Thompstone

From the Vault: Cardiff Blues 11 Leicester Tigers 14 (2019)

In the reverse fixture earlier this season, the Tigers snatched the victory at the death, thanks to a Tom Hardwick penalty.

The hosts had led 11-8 at the break, courtesy of an Aled Summerhill try and the boot of Jarrod Evans.

However, Tigers managed to withstand the pressure, with Sam Costelow making a crucial intervention to deny Summerhill a second.

With a draw seeming inevitable and the clock turned red, Tigers were awarded a penalty, which was duly slotted by Hardwick.

Head-to-Head: Josh Navidi v Tommy Reffell

It will be an intriguing battle at openside, as current Wales international, Josh Navidi, goes head-to-head with Wales under-20 international, Tommy Reffell.

Navidi returned to action, following a hamstring injury, in the Boxing Day derby win over Dragons and immediately imposed his presence in the Cardiff Blues pack.

The back row will skipper his side once again at Welford Road and will be looking to give his side a physical edge in both attack and defence.

Meanwhile, Reffell has impressed at both age grade and club level and will be looking to test himself against one of Wales’ finest flankers.

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