Preview: Aironi v Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues will enjoy the experience of Martyn Williams and John Yapp for Friday's Magners League visit to face Aironi at Stadio Zaffanella.
Cardiff Blues will enjoy the experience of Martyn Williams and John Yapp for Friday's Magners League visit to face Aironi at Stadio Zaffanella.
The Italian franchise are still looking to pick up their first win of the competition and have lost both home games in the league so far this term.
Cardiff have won all six previous games they have played against Italian teams but travel on the back of two losses, against Castres and Scarlets.
Along with Yapp and Williams, Scott Andrews return from the Wales squad, while Academy player Dan Fish makes his competitive debut.
Cardiff RFC half-backs Tom Slater and Gareth Davies are on the bench along with Blues Academy player Owen Williams.
“I'd like to think that we are hurting a bit from the Scarlets match and will be going over to Italy determined to get the win,” said Director of Rugby David Young.
“I'm quite surprised that Aironi haven't picked recorded a victory because when you look at their team they've got quite a lot of internationals playing for them, especially in the pack.
“We know it's going to be a tough day at the office up front and they've pushed teams closer and closer every week.
“It's only a matter of time before they pick up that first win but we've got to make sure it's not us.”
The Blues have already won in Italy this season, beating Treviso 19-7 in round four, but will not be underestimating the threat posed by Aironi.
“I would have thought that they may have looked at this fixture a few weeks ago, knowing we would be without our internationals, and maybe target this game because they will be at full strength,” added Young.
After suffering their sixth league defeat in Newport last week , Aironi prepare to face Cardiff Blues on Friday with five new faces in the starting XV.
Two of these changes are in the backs, with Gabriel Pizarro returning in place of Matteo Pratichetti, who injured himself in the final minutes of the Dragons clash. The second change sees Danwel Demas replace Venditti on the left wing.
Tito Tebaldi returns to play alongside Ludovic Mercier, with Pablo Canavosio on the bench.
Salvatore Perugini, Fabio Ongaro and Luca Redolfini are confirmed for the front-row, while Quintin Geldenhuys starts in place of Carlo Del Fava (injured in an Italy training session) at lock. The back-row sees Jaco Erasmus join Simone Favaro and Nick Williams.
There is also good news for Italian international prop Matias Aguero as he has finally recovered from his summer injury and could be on the bench.
Form: Aironi Rugby's shaky start continued with a loss in Munster on Friday night. The new franchise have lost both home games in the Magners League at the Stadio Zaffanella so far but have at least gained a pair of losing bonus points there. Cardiff Blues have now slipped to successive defeats against Castres and the Scarlets. The Blues have won all six previous encounters they have played against teams from Italy.
The teams:
Aironi: 15 Julien Laharrague, 14 Giulio Toniolatti, 13 Rodd Penney, 12 Gabriel Pizarro, 11 Danwel Demas, 10 Ludovic Mercier, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Jaco Erasmus, 5 Quintin Geldenhuys (capt), 4 Marco Bortolami, 3 Luca Redolfini, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Salvatore Perugini.
Replacements: 16 Roberto Santamaria, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Alberto De Marchi, 19 Joshua Furno, 20 Andrea Benatti, 21 Pablo Canavosio, 22 Gilberto Pavan, 23 Riccardo Bocchino.
Cardiff Blues: 15 Dan Fish, 14 Richard Mustoe, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Dafydd Hewitt, 11 Gavin Evans, 10 Ceri Sweeney, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Maama Molitika, 5 Paul Tito (capt), 4 Michael Paterson, 3 Scott Andrews, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 Tom Davies.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Williams, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 John Yapp, 19 James Down, 20 Andries Pretorius, 21 Tom Slater, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Owen Williams.
Date: Friday, October 29
Kick-off: 19:05
Venue: Stadio Zaffanella, Viadana
Referee: Graham Knox (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Stefano Traversi, Stefano Marrama (both FIR)
TMO: Alan Falzone (FIR).