Cardiff Blues v Connacht

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