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Rey Lee-Lo starts as Cardiff Blues make three changes

First Team News | 1st November 2019


Rey Lee-Lo returns to centre-stage as Cardiff Blues make three changes for their Guinness PRO14 clash with Munster on Saturday (7.35pm).

The Samoan ace missed the opening weeks of the season due to his involvement in the Rugby World Cup but returned to the Welsh capital last week. He goes straight into the starting line-up with Willis Halaholo rotated to the bench.

The other changes come in the pack with Corey Domachowski handed his first start of the season and Shane Lewis-Hughes coming into the back-row. That sees Nick Williams drop down to the bench with Will Boyde moving across to number eight.

Head coach John Mulvihill said: “It is great to welcome Rey back, he is such an important player for us. He will bring a physical presence, real go forward and leadership in the back-line

“Corey and Shane are also progressing well and deserve opportunities to start as we freshen up the starting line-up, but we expect big impacts from Willis, Nick and Brad Thyer coming on.”

Cardiff Blues go into the encounter on the back of three consecutive defeats and desperate to get back to winning ways at Cardiff Arms Park.

It was a similar tale last season as the Blues narrowly lost their first three games of the season but burst into life with a bonus-point win against Munster.

Mulvihill has been disappointed with the opening weeks of the season, and particularly how his side have started games, but he expects a reaction on Saturday.

He added: “We have had a really good week in training, and I am sure there will be a reaction from our boys who are back on their home patch.

“We have all been disappointed with our recent results, and elements of our performance, in the last few weeks and we are determined to put that right and repay our supporters.

“It is imperative that we start well and stay in the fight. We were in a similar position against Munster last season and we produced one of our best performances of the season and that is exactly what we need on Saturday.”

Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Jason Harries, Rey Lee-Lo, Garyn Smith, Aled Summerhill; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams (capt); Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher, Scott Andrews, Josh Turnbull, Rory Thornton, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Olly Robinson, Will Boyde.

Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Brad Thyer, Keiron Assiratti, Seb Davies, Nick Williams, Lewis Jones, Jason Tovey, Willis Halaholo.