Preview: Cardiff Blues v Harlequins

Cardiff Blues are boosted by the return of Xavier Rush for Saturday's Heineken Cup clash against Harlequins on Saturday.

Cardiff Blues are boosted by the return of Xavier Rush for Saturday's Heineken Cup clash against Harlequins at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Key veteran Rush, who dislocated his finger in the win over the Scarlets, had a successful operation and now has been given the go ahead with Andy Powell starting on the blindside.

“Xavier underwent a successful operation on his finger and was given the all clear by the medical team,” said Director of Rugby David Young.

“It's great news that he has recovered so quickly and is a real boost for us ahead of the big match against Quins.”

Tim Atter the Cardiff Blues Physiotherapist has worked hard with the players all week and the region are also boosted by the news that Ben Blair, Jamie Roberts, Sam Norton-Knight, Richie Rees and Taufa'au Filise have all recovered from minor injuries picked up last week.

“Selection is a responsibility that I do not take lightly and it's always difficult to make choices especially ahead of big games,” continued Young.

“The front row of Gary Powell and T Rhys Thomas pushed very strongly for inclusion and are unlucky to miss out in the starting XV.

“Deiniol Jones is always near being selected in a starting spot but we felt that Bradley Davies gives us extra carrying capacity for this match.

“I feel very sorry for Robin Sowden Taylor who has played exceptionally well for us so far this season, but we picked Sam Warburton at Openside because of the back row balance at the line out.

“In the backs Richie Rees had shaded it and there were tough choices to make in the back three.

“We felt Tom James was our most potent attacking back last season and it was a difficult choice for the other wing berth with Richard Mustoe and Gareth Thomas playing really well and Leigh Halfpenny working really hard to recapture his form after some minor injuries.”

Meanwhile, memories of last season's Heineken Cup pool stages will never be far from any Harlequins supporter's mind, especially the epic back to back victories over Stade Français and, with last weekend's victory over baoth in the Guinness Premiership behind them and the confidence in the squad building, there is no question that this season's Heineken Cup pool stages are going to be a real fireworks display.

Last Saturday, under the floodlights of the Stoop, Quins put in a never-say-die performance against their old rivals Bath, to claim their first victory of the season and turn their fortunes around. Tomorrow they will take this team spirit to Cardiff, where they will play against last season's Heineken Cup semi finalists, Cardiff Blues.

Because of the terms of the EPS agreement, Ugo Monye, Danny Care and Nick Easter have all been rested. This gives starting places to Gonzalo Camacho, Steve So'oialo and Tom Guest.

There are two changes to the starting front row. With the departure of Gary Botha, Tani Fuga takes the starting hooker position in the front row, where he joins Mark Lambert (who had to miss last weekend's game as a result of injury) and Ceri Jones. John Andress and Chris Brooker start on the bench.

The teams:

Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Gareth Thomas, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom James, 10 Sam Norton-Knight, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Xavier Rush, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Andy Powell, 5 Paul Tito (c), 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Taufa'au Filise, 2 Gareth Williams, 1 John Yapp.
Replacements: 16 T Rhys Thomas, 17 Darren Morris, 18 Gary Powell, 19 Deiniol Jones, 20 Robin Sowden-Taylor, 21 Gareth Cooper, 22 Ceri Sweeney, 23 Leigh Halfpenny.

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 David Strettle, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Gonzalo Camacho, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Steve Sooialo, 8 Tom Guest, 7 Will Skinner (c), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Jim Evans, 4 Lewis Stevenson, 3 Mark Lambert, 2 Tani Fuga, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Aston Croall, 18 John Andress, 19 Shane O'Connor, 20 Neil McMillan, 21 Gareth Williams, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 George Lowe.

Date: Saturday, October 10
Kick-off: 13:35 BST
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Dudley Philips (Ireland)), Trevor Collins (Ireland)
Television match official: Marshall Kilgore (Ireland)