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Mulvihill changes two for visit of Ulster

First Team News | 1st November 2020


Cardiff Blues have made two changes for Monday evening’s Guinness PRO14 encounter with Ulster at Rodney Parade.

The capital city outfit return to their temporary Rodney Parade home following a frustrating defeat to Munster and face another fierce challenge from across the Irish Sea. 

Ulster are currently unbeaten in Conference A and sit just a point behind leaders Leinster in second-place.

John Mulvihill has reinforced his pack with added punch as Will Boyde returns from injury to make his first appearance of the season and Josh Turnbull returns from suspension. 

Both players join James Botham in the back-row with James Ratti moving forward into the second-row.

The rest of the pack and backline remains unchanged with Kristian Dacey continuing to captain his region in between Corey Domachowski and Dmitri Arhip.

Lewis Jones continues in the number nine jersey and partners Jarrod Evans. Willis Halaholo and Rey Lee-Lo provide a familiar midfield, while back three Hallam Amos, Aled Summerhill and Matthew Morgan will look to continue their rich vein of form.

Cardiff Blues head coach John Mulvihill said: “We were pleased with our physicality and effort out in Munster but we made too many errors and were often indisciplined, we didn’t adapt to the interpretations of the referee.

“We have to bring that physical edge and work-rate again this week and remain accurate and disciplined in our game plan.

“It is pleasing to welcome back Boyde and JT, they will give us a little more power and experience in the pack and it allows us to manage our squad a bit more.

“Ulster will present another formidable challenge. They are undefeated and are a hugely physical team with good variety to their attack and they do not lose many players to the international game.

“We will have to be at our best but we still have some confidence and momentum, we have prepared well and have a pretty good record at Rodney Parade. If we can perform to our potential, cut out the mistakes and play for the 80 minutes, I am confident we can get the result.” 

With Boyde and Turnbull returning to the starting lineout, Ben Murphy and Olly Robinson will provide impact from the replacements with Alun Lawrence and Sam Moore dropping out.

Cardiff Blues: M Morgan; A Summerhill, R Lee-Lo, W Halaholo, H Amos; J Evans, L Jones; C Domachowski, K Dacey (capt), D Arhip, J Ratti, R Thornton, J Turnbull, J Botham, W Boyde.

Replacements: E Lewis, B Thyer, S Andrews, B Murphy, O Robinson, J Hill, J Tovey, G Smith