Forwards:
Gethin Jenkins
Scott Andrews
Kristian Dacey
Sam Warburton
Backs:
Gareth Anscombe
Cory Allen
Alex Cuthbert

Released:
Hooker Kristian Dacey
Prop Scott Andrews
Fly-half Gareth Anscombe
Centre Cory Allen
Wing Cuthbert

There is no update as to the condition of the players.

Magpie wrote: Will Cardiff have their international players back for this one?

They have 4/5 from the pack, and 2/3 backs in the Wales squad, their inclusion/exclusion will make a big difference.

I believe 4 or 5 were allowed back to the club from International duty, 2 of their centres came off injured last week so as well as Navidi they look on balance to be a weakened team, certainly compared to the team we met at home.

Ronaldson will have to be ultra conservative in his passing, with Mcshaz getting tight to him or whoever is playing 12.

Will Cardiff have their international players back for this one?

They have 4/5 from the pack, and 2/3 backs in the Wales squad, their inclusion/exclusion will make a big difference.

My memories are limited to 15 days, isn't that worring? :lol:
Anyway another correct omen

connachta wrote: Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU, 7th competition game)

Cardiff vs Zebre at Cardiff Arms Park 25 - 30
Referee: Lloyd Linton (Scotland)

Good Omen?

+Borders, have a little look here and ye might remember him when he reffed us AGES ago :whistle:

connachtclan.com/cclan-forum/2-connacht-...the-revenge?start=80

Last year away to them was a dire performance with the mad Italian ref making it even worse.

Oh God I'd forgotten about that game until you mentioned it and him. I nearly went bald watching it with that lunatic in charge.

He did Munster v Cardiff a few weeks back but it wasn't a game I saw. I do remember there was a bizarre decision I heard about at the end of that match though where I think Cardiff knocked it on, he was playing advantage to Munster who knocked it forward also but scored a try. He went upstairs to the TMO who told him Munster had knocked it on but he said he was playing advantage so it was ok and awarded the try. It didn't matter as it had no decisive impact either way (apart from screwing up a result for me on Superbru ) Maybe rossie or someone who saw that match might know more.

I see him down for a few games last season, not sure of any others he may have reffed.

Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU, 7th competition game)

Cardiff vs Zebre at Cardiff Arms Park 25 - 30
Referee: Lloyd Linton (Scotland)

Good Omen?

Do you know something about this Scot ref? only 7th appearence..

Just going through the factfile there, our record against Cardiff really stinks. I knew it was bad but one win in ten against a side who have been struggling for the past 4/5 years is disappointing. Last year away to them was a dire performance with the mad Italian ref making it even worse. The game earlier in the season is one that definitely got away.

I know there is a lot of rugby to be played yet but I think after the Scarlets game everyone was thinking we need to win the next 3 games. We all know the run in Scarlets have so a Cardiff side who don't look in good shape is a big chance to cement our Top 6 position and heap the pressure on Scarlets and Edinburgh.

12)McShazz
13) Leader
14) Poolman
15) TOH
23) Mils

or

12) Ronaldson
13) McShazz
14) Poolman
15) Leader
23) Mils/TOH

or

12) McSha
13) Finn
14) Poolman
15) Leader
23) Mils/TOH

or

12) McShazz
13) Poolman
14) TOH
15) Leader
23) Mils/Finn

or

12) Salmson
13) Pinky
14) SeaPoint
15) Phatguerilla
23) TheCulk


make your wish

Cardiff Blues v Connacht Cardiff Arms Park Guinness Pro 12 Round 17
Friday 6th March 2015 Kick Off 19:35 On TV: BBC Wales / TG4

Connacht will hope to take a significant step towards a top 6 finish when they travel to face Cardiff at the Arms Park on Friday. Cardiff have had a disappointing season but a win at home to Edinburgh last Sunday lifted them back in to 9th position and with their European Challenge Cup against rivals Dragons less than a month away Cardiff will be eager to build some momentum.

Other Match Stats
Connacht beat Cardiff in both 2001/02 and 2002/03 but since Cardiff Blues were formed for the 2003/04 season, Connacht have only beaten them 3 times in their 23 league meetings.
Connacht's only win in their last 10 meetings with Cardiff was a 26-22 win at the Arms Park in February 2013.
Cardiff have conceded an average of over 25 points per game in the league, the 3rd highest in the league
Cardiff's average of 20 points a game is slightly higher than Connacht's average in the 16 games to date this season.

Cardiff Blues Stats
Website: www.cardiffblues.com
Founded: 2003
Ground: Cardiff Arms Park
Capacity: 12,500
Captain: Matthew Rees
Coaches: Dave McIntosh / Paul John

Guinness Pro 12 League Position 2014/15: 9th Played: 16 Pts: 26
Rabo Direct Pro 12 League Position 2013/14: 7th Played 22 Points 41
European Challenge Cup 2014/15: 2nd in Pool 1 Played 6: Pts: 24. (Quarter final away to Newport/Gwent Dragons on 4th April)
Heineken Cup 2013/14: 2nd in Pool 2 Points 14
Anglo Welsh Cup 2014/15: 2nd in Pool 2 Pts: 13
Anglo Welsh Cup 2013/14: 3rd in Pool 2 Pts: 10

Previous Fixtures
Cardiff 21-15 Edinburgh (Pro 12 Round 16)
Treviso 40-24 Cardiff (Pro 12 Round 15)
Munster 33-16 Cardiff (Pro 12 Round 14)
Cardiff 9-43 Leicester (Anglo Welsh Cup)
Wasps 42-45 Cardiff (Anglo Welsh Cup)

Next League Fixture:
Friday 27th March 2015 Ulster v Cardiff Blues @ Ravenhill. Kick Off: 19:35

Challenge Cup (Pool 1)
London Irish 24
Cardiff Blues 24
Grenoble 12
Rovigo 1

Cardiff Ins and Outs 2014/15
Players In
Craig Mitchell from Exeter Chiefs
Ieuan Jones from Newport Gwent Dragons
Adam Thomas from Wales Sevens
George Watkins from Bristol Rugby
Tavis Knoyle from Gloucester Rugby
Josh Turnbull from Scarlets
Jarrad Hoeata from Highlanders
Manoa Vosawai from Benetton Treviso
Geraint Walsh from Pontypridd
Gareth Anscombe from Chiefs
Adam Jones from Ospreys
Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino from Oyonnax

Players Out
Andries Pretorius to Worcester Warriors
Leigh Halfpenny to Toulon
Robin Copeland to Munster
Bradley Davies to London Wasps
James Down to London Welsh
Harry Robinson to Scarlets
Chris Czekaj to US Colomiers
Luke Hamilton to SU Agen
Alex Walker to Ealing Trailfinders
James Down to London Welsh
Isaia Tuifua
Benoit Bourrust

Previous Meetings

Friday 3rd October 2015 Guinness Pro 12
Connacht 24-24 Cardiff
www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/15768.php

Saturday 3rd May 2014 Rabo Direct Pro 12
Connacht 15-22 Cardiff
www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/14932.php

Friday 13rd September 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12
Cardiff 21-10 Connacht
www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/12796.php

pinky wrote: Are there no player eligibility rules in this league at all?

That's about the size of it alright. You have a panel of 38 players which you can chop and change at will until March 20th. The only stipulation is that non-contracted players (AIL, Welsh Premiership etc.) cannot play for more than one team in the same season.

Only just checked the match report there - I didn't realise that Cooney actually played for Leinster the last time they recalled him. He ended up playing against Dragons two weeks in a row.
Are there no player eligiblity rules in this league at all?

phatguerilla wrote: Is porter being selected purely for his place kicking? I haven't seen much of blade but he seems to have shown more ability as a scrum half and impact sub than porter? Also Heffernan isn't listed as injured would like to see him back.

According to the Craggy Island boys, Cooney can be recalled by Leinster on a match-by-match basis up until the Wednesday before each game during the 6 nations, except where Connacht do not have enough available/fit scrumhalves. Simple, right?

Not really, but basically if you put Blade in the squad for Cardiff Leinster could recall Cooney (as we have another fit senior scrumhalf in Porter).

Anyway, Porter did very well when he came on against Scarlets and Treviso.

Edit: I think Heffernan is just dropped, there's been no injury news.

Is porter being selected purely for his place kicking? I haven't seen much of blade but he seems to have shown more ability as a scrum half and impact sub than porter? Also Heffernan isn't listed as injured would like to see him back.