Cardiff Blues v Connacht
Rabo Direct Pro 12 Round 2
Friday 13th September 2013
Kick Off 19:05
On TV: BBC Wales and TG4
Cardiff Arms Park
Rabo Direct Pro 12 Round 2
This Friday, Connacht travel to the Arms Park to take on the Cardiff Blues in Round 2 of the Rabo Direct Pro 12. Connacht started the season with a 27-16 win over Zebre and will travel with some hope having won at the same venue back in February. However, that was a rare victory at the famous ground with the previous victory dating back to a 6-3 win over Cardiff on the first weekend of the inaugural Celtic League. Cardiff are expected to be close to full strength and will expect to pick up their first win of the season.
Getting to Cardiff Arms Park
www.rugbygroundguide.com/cardiff.html#getting
Ticket Prices:
Adult £19-21 Senior £16-19 Juniors u16 £9-11
Cardiff Blues Stats
Website: www.cardiffblues.com
Founded: 2003 (Setup as a Regional Side)
Ground: Cardiff Arms Park
Capacity: 13,000
Captain: Matthew Rees
Director of Rugby: Phil Davies
Rabo Direct Pro 12 League Position 2012/13: 9th Points 38
Heineken Cup: 3rd in Pool 6 Points 6
Anglo-Welsh Cup: 3rd in Pool 2 Points 9
ERC European Ranking 11th (15 pts)
Previous League Fixture
Glasgow 22-15 Cardiff Blues
Next League Fixture:
Friday 20th September 2013 19.30 Cardiff Blues v Zebre @ Cardiff Arms Park
Heineken Cup (Pool 2)
Cardiff
Exeter
Glasgow
Toulon
Achievements
Anglo-Welsh Cup Champions 2008/09
European Challenge Cup Champions 2009/10
Players In
Gethin Jenkins (Toulon)(Prop)
Matthew Rees (Scarlets)(Hooker)
Miles Normandale (Cardiff Metropolitan University RFC)(Lock)
Players Out
Jake Cooper-Wooley (Wasps) (Prop)
Nathan Trevett (London Welsh) (Prop)
Campese Ma’afu (Nottingham) (Prop)
Michael Paterson (Sale Sharks) (Lock)
Cory Hill (Moseley) (Lock)
Ceri Sweeney (Exeter)(Out-Half)
Jason Tovey (Dragons) (Out-Half)
Tom James (Exeter)(Wing)
Jamie Roberts (Racing Métro)(Centre)
Previous Meetings
Connacht have met Cardiff Blues on 20 previous occasions and have only emerged winners on 3 occasions. Below are links to the reports on our meetings with Cardiff Blues last season:
Saturday 1st September 2012 Rabo Direct Pro 12
Connacht 9 – 13 Cardiff Blues
www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2467.php
Friday 22nd February 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12
Cardiff Blues 22 – 26 Connacht
www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/12331.php
Cardiff Supporter Expectations
www.rugbynetwork.net/main/cardiff-blues/...cheerful-and-fearful