Benetton Rugby 40 - 24 Cardiff Blues
Fri 20 February 20:05 Stadio Monigo Att: 2,670 Ref: Gary Conway Pro12

Anscombe back in for Treviso away test

Thu 19 Feb 2015 11:55 Anscombe back in for Treviso away test
Anscombe, who has been part of the Welsh set-up for the 6 Nations, is released from the international scene and back in the starting line-up as Director of Rugby Mark Hammett makes a total of six changes to his team.

Centres Adam Thomas and Tom Isaacs, who will make his full debut, are called into the back division. Welsh ace Cory Allen misses the game through illness.

A new-look front row will see Kristian Dacey at hooker while Taufa’ao Filise moves across to pack down at loosehead prop.

The final change to the starting line-up is a call-up for Ellis Jenkins in the back row, as Josh Navidi switches to Number Eight.

Hooker Rhys Williams and prop Scott Andrews, also released from Welsh duty, are named among the replacements as Cardiff Blues hunt a return to winning ways in Italy.

“A lot of teams have lost when they’ve gone away to Treviso; it’s not an easy place to go,” said Hammett.

“We’re under no illusions about what is required this week, especially after last week in Munster. I want to see how we respond to a poor performance and after a performance when we have been really honest with each other afterwards.

“We’ve been successful against the Italian teams so far this season, but that doesn’t count for anything and we have to perform on the day.

“We still have goals and drivers for this season – we have a big set of three games coming up. There is a vision that the region wants to achieve moving forward so there is plenty to play for.”

Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhys Patchell, 14 Lucas Amorosino, 13 Tom Isaacs, 12 Adam Thomas, 11 Joaquin Tuculet, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Taufa’ao Filise, 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Adam Jones, 4 Macauley Cook, 5 Filo Paulo, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Ellis Jenkins, 8 Josh Navidi (c)

Replacements: 16 Rhys Williams, 17 Thomas Davies, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Miles Normandale, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Owen Jenkins