Preview: Ulster Rugby v Cardiff Blues

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Cardiff Blues aim to get their campaign back on track following defeats to Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors, but face a tough trip to Belfast to take on Ulster Rugby.

Wales’ Capital Region haven’t tasted victory at the Northern Irish capital since 2010, where Casey Laulala, Xavier Rush and Dafydd Hewitt were on the scoresheet.

Meanwhile, Ulster have secured two wins from their opening three encounters this season, including a home victory over Ospreys on the opening weekend of the campaign.

Ulster Rugby: Will Addison; Craig Gilroy, Luke Marshall, James Hume, Louis Ludik; Billy Burns (capt), John Cooney; Luke McGrath, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy, Marcell Coetzee

Replacements: Adam McBurney, Eric O’ Sullivan, Ross Kane, Sam Carter, Nick Timoney, David Shanahan, Bill Johnston, Matt Fades

Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Jason Harries, Garyn Smith, Willis Halaholo, Aled Summerhill; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Brad Thyer, Liam Belcher, Scott Andrews, Josh Turnbull, Rory Thornton, Will Boyde, Olly Robinson, Nick Williams (capt)

Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Corey Domachowski, Keiron Assiratti, Seb Davies, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Lewis Jones, Jason Tovey, Harri Millard

From the Vault: Ulster Rugby 24 Cardiff Blues 24 (2017)

It was a thriller at the Kingspan Stadium, where midfield duo of Willis Halaholo and Rey Lee-Lo ran havoc against the home side, but the sides had to share the points at Belfast.

Despite a strong start from the visitors, and an early Gareth Anscombe penalty, Ruan Pienaar’s clever kick unlocked the Blues defence, with Paddy Jackson on-hand to gather the loose ball and touch down for the game’s opening try.

Sam Warburton, on what would prove to be his final appearance for his home region, powered over to respond for the visitors, but the visitors were dealt a triple-blow as the back row joined Blaine Scully and George Earle in departing with injuries.

Ulster went ahead before the break through a penalty try, but Danny Wilson’s men remained in the encounter, with Lee-Lo dotting down to regain the lead in the second half.

Jackson drew the scores level, before Samoan centre Lee-Lo added a second after beating the challenges of Stuart Olding and Charles Piutau.

However, Luke Marshall’s late converted try saw the sides sharing the points.

Head-to-Head: John Cooney v Lloyd Williams

With conditions set to be wet and windy at Kingspan Stadium, it will be an interesting battle at number nine, with both John Cooney and Lloyd Williams crucial in controlling the game for their sides.

Both are international scrum halves who are technically gifted, and their ability to box kick might be key to gain territory and test the opposition back three in the rain.

Cooney is also a reliable goal kicker, and if the game becomes a tight affair, Cardiff Blues will want to ensure the Irish international does not get too many opportunities from the tee.

Williams is edging ever-closer to his 200th appearance for the region, and is one of his side’s leaders, which will prove critical for the trip to Belfast.

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