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Blues Boxing Day team selected

23rd December 2008


David Young has named his side for the Boxing Day match against the Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade.

Speaking ahead of the match Young said, " Rodney Parade is always a difficult place to go and get a win, because the Dragons have always been strong at home. They had a confidence building win over a very good Ospreys team last week, so I'm sure they'll be looking forward to welcoming us there."

"They have put in some big performances recently and narrowly lost, so it was only a matter of time before one of those performances resulted in a win."

"We were disappointed with the standard of our play at the Scarlets over the weekend and will be looking for big improvements on Boxing Day. At Parc y Scarlets we didn't have enough possession due to our lack of accuracy and no territory. We spent most of the time defending. The players have realized they have to improve and have been going well in training this week."

Leigh Halfpenny and Deiniol Jones both suffered injuries in the loss to the Scarlets and join the injured list of international players on the Cardiff Blues treatment table.

15 BEN BLAIR
14 RICHARD MUSTOE
13 JAMIE ROBINSON
12 TOM SHANKLIN
11 TOM JAMES
10 CERI SWEENEY
9 JASON SPICE

1 JOHN YAPP
2 RHYS THOMAS
3 TAUFA'AO FILISE
4 BRADLEY DAVIES
5 SCOTT MORGAN
6 MAAMA MOLITIKA
7 ROBIN SOWDEN-TAYLOR (C)
8 ANDY POWELL

16 GARY POWELL
17 GARETH WILLIAMS
18 PAUL TITO
19 BEN WHITE
20 DARREN ALLINSON
21 NICKY ROBINSON
22 GARETH THOMAS


Deiniol Jones - Deiniol suffered an injured thumb against the Scarlets, but should be available for selection for the New Years Eve match against the Ospreys (31 December)

Leigh Halfpenny - Strained his knee ligaments last Saturday (20 December) but should return for selection for the Leinster game (10 January)

Richie Rees - Injured his shoulder playing against Glasgow. Should be available for selection for the match against the Ospreys

Gethin Jenkins - Had an injection to his neck and should be available for the Ospreys match

Martyn Williams - Also had an injection (to his shoulder) and should be available for the Ospreys match

Xavier Rush - Has started light rugby training after his summer knee operation and should be available for selection for the Leinster match.

Jamie Roberts - Should be available for selection for the Heineken Matches (18 & 23 January)

Mark Lewis - Mark, has injured his knee and is expected to be out for two to three weeks

Rhys Williams - Rhys is gaining match fitness playing for Cardiff RFC having recovered from a serious knee injury suffered in Glasgow in November 2007.