Wales trio return for Blues in Europe

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Prop Gethin Jenkins, back row Sam Warburton and wing Alex Cuthbert all return to the starting line-up as Blues battle to secure a quarter-final place.

Captain Gethin Jenkins, Kristian Dacey and tighthead prop Taufa’ao Filise will pack down in the front row while Sam Warburton and Josh Navidi return to the back row.

Lock Filo Paulo is joined in the second row by Chris Dicomidis. Back row Ellis Jenkins, scrum half Tavis Knoyle and tighthead prop Adam Jones are named among the replacements.

Director of Rugby Mark Hammett said: “We had to work hard to break them down in the first game in Cardiff so we’re under no illusion that it will be a tough game out there.

“I was surprised by Grenoble’s performance last week it’s a real wake-up call because French teams are usually stronger at home.

“We should be confident in our game. Each player needs to understand what we are trying to achieve and what they need to do for that to happen and then implement it.

“That’s the same week in week out. It’s still all about standards and what we are trying to achieve. This game is as important as last week and the week before that.”

“We want to qualify for the quarter-finals and get a home tie. The only way to do that is getting a good win and hope that a few other results go our way.”

Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhys Patchell, 14 Richard Smith, 13 Cory Allen, 12 Adam Thomas, 11 Alex Cuthbert, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Lloyd Williams

1 Gethin Jenkins (c), 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Taufa’ao Filise, 4 Chris Dicomidis, 5 Filo Paulo, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Sam Warburton, 8 Josh Navidi

Replacements:16 Matthew Rees, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 Adam Jones, 19 Macauley Cook, 20 Ellis Jenkins, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Gavin Evans

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