Blues name squad for Ospreys encounter

The Blues ended a four game losing run in the RaboDirect PRO12 with their 14-7 victory over Zebre in Italy on Sunday.

They now take on an inform Ospreys side who are unbeaten at Liberty Stadium since Glasgow Warriors were the visitors on the 14th September.

Ospreys are unbeaten in their last four fixtures with the Blues in all competitions. The Blues only triumph on Ospreys soil since the regions were formed in 2003 a 28-9 win at Liberty Stadium on 22 December 2005 and the capital city region will be looking to end this run on Friday.

Speaking ahead of the match Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby Phil Davies said,

“Since the start of the season we have got better week in week out but we have not had the rewards on the scoreboard, which is the most important thing, as obviously we want to win every game.

“We were very unlucky against Munster, but had a good win against Wasps and played well against the Scarlets, a little ill discipline cost us the game.

“We did end that game with a bonus point meaning we finished the LV campaign in joint top of the group, which is pleasing.

“It was a really good game against Zebre last weekend.

“I thought we played very, very well and if we had been a bit more clinical we could have scored three or four more tries.

“We have said since the start of the season that we are in transition and we have a lot of young players coming through.

“What we have done over the last few months, although it has been painful at times with some of the results, is create some depth and given a lot of players opportunities.

“We have given opportunities to twelve or fourteen players many of whom are under the age of 22.

“This is good for us and the sort of experience we are gaining with them will help us on Friday night.

“We have a good chance against the Ospreys; they are in the same position as we are.

“It will be the next generation of stars on show and hopefully it will be an excellent game.”

Dan Fish and Tom James were injured in the Zebre game.

Tom James is out for approximately six weeks with a broken bone in his foot while the Blues are awaiting scan results for Dan Fish.

Cardiff Blues 15. Rhys Patchell 14. Tom Williams 13. Gavin Evans 12. Dafydd Hewitt 11.Owen Williams 10. Ceri Sweeney 9. Lloyd Williams

8. Robin Copeland 7. Josh Navidi (c) 6. Rory Watts-Jones 5. James Down 4. Michael Paterson 3. Taufa’ao Filise 2 .Marc Breeze 1. Sam Hobbs

16. Andi Kyriacou 17. Nathan Trevett 18. Benoit Bourrust 19.Macauley Cook 20. Andries Pretorius 21. Lewis Jones 22. Gareth Davies 23. Jason Tovey

Not available for selection through injury

Chris Czekaj- foot ligament – mid January return

Jake Cooper Wooley – Cruciate ligament knee – March return

Tom Davies – Cruciate ligament knee – March return

Dan Fish- shoulder injury – Awaiting scan results

Tom James- Fractured bone at base of toe – January return

With Wales squad

Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Harry Robinson, Scott Andrews, Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton, Lou Reed

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