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Preview: Calvisano v Cardiff Blues

Friday 10th October 2008

Welcome return: Shanklin is back in the twelve jersey

Dai Young has made seven changes to his Cardiff Blues side for their opening Heineken Cup match of the season, which sees them heading to Italy to take on Calvisano.

On paper this is a game that Cardiff Blues should walk, with a bonus point to boot, but the reality is a little tougher, as Young admitted.

"We need to give Calvisano the respect they deserve," Young said.

"They certainly will be up for the first game of the competition. It's the worst time to go out there and they are never easy to play against. When you look at the scalps the Italian teams have taken it's always been in the first or second round.

"We played there a few years ago and know what to expect. They will be very physical, very much along the lines of the Italian national team, physical up front and set piece dominated. A slow game with a lot of scrums and line-outs will suite them."

Having missed last week's victory over Sale Tom Shanklin, Nicky Robinson and Jason Spice all return behind the scrum, whilst in the forwards there are a further four changes.

Maama Molitika and Gethin Jenkins both return from injury while Deiniol Jones and Gary Powell both get a starting spot. Andy Powell, who has been in impressive form for the Blues, switches from blindside to number eight.

More to follow...

Form: It has been a mixed bag for Cardiff Blues this season. Two wins have been overshadowed by two defeats and a draw, leaving them in fifth. However a victory over Sale last week in the EDF Energy Cup will hand them a timely boost. Calvisano are fourth in the Italian Super 10, having picked up two wins thus far.

Prediction: This is a potential banana skin for Cardiff Blues, but with the right application and focus they should come away with a victory. Cardiff Blues by 18.

Calvisano: Tba

Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Jamie Robinson, 12 Tom Shanklin, 11 Gareth Thomas, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Jason Spice, 8 Andy Powell, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Maama Molitika, 5 Paul Tito (c), 4 Deiniol Jones, 3 Gary Powell, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Taufa'ao Filise, 17 Gareth Williams, 18 Scott Morgan, 19 Robin Sowden-Taylor, 20 Richie Rees, 21 Ceri Sweeney, 22 Jamie Roberts.

Date: Saturday 11 October, 2008
Kick-off: 13:35 BST (12:35 GMT)
Venue: Centro San Michele
Referee: Rob Debney (England)
Touch judges: Tim Wigglesworth (England), Alan Biggs (England)
Television match official: Dave Matthews (England)