Cardiff name team for Ulster test

Cardiff Rugby have made nine changes for Saturday’s trip to face Ulster Rugby in the BKT United Rugby Championship (19:45).

With the second block of fixtures in the season coming to a close in Belfast, the Blue & Blacks are without 18 players due to injury and international selection.

However, they are able to name an exciting team for the Affidea Stadium clash with the race for the URC play-offs intensifying. 

Rhys Barratt continues in the front-row where he is joined by Evan Lloyd and Javan Sebastian. Josh McNally leads the side in a familiar combination with George Nott.

The Blue & Blacks have named a combative back-row with Alun Lawrence switching to the blind-side flank and Dan Thomas and Taine Basham returning to the starting line-up.

The Line-up

Johan Mulder is given the nod to start alongside Callum Sheedy at half-back, while Wales Under-20s co-captain Steffan Emanuel partners Harri Millard in midfield. Tom Bowen, Ioan Lloyd and Cam Winnett form an exciting back-three.

Corniel van Zyl said: “There’s a real excitement about going up to Belfast and putting in a good performance. That’s been the big aim for the week.

“Like every club at this stage of the season, we’re in the same boat. We are missing players to the international game, and it tests our squad. But it is an opportunity and that’s how we’re treating it.

“What we’ve seen from Ulster is a team that’s very good at keeping the ball in hand and moving the point of contact. We’ll have to be very good defensively to stay in front of them and keep them out.

“They’re very potent in the 22. They’re probably one of the top teams for points scored per entry, so we’ll have to be smart around that.”

Cardiff go into the encounter sitting fourth in the URC table following last weekend’s victory over Benetton but acutely aware of the importance of picking up points wherever possible with a tough end to the season. 

They have not triumphed in Belfast since 2010 – despite coming agonisingly close on a number of occasions – and have won the last two meetings between the sides.

Van Zyl added: “The bigger picture is important. But for us this week it’s about how good we can be, how excited we are for the challenge, and recognising the opportunity that’s in front of us.”

There is a mix of youth and experience on the replacements bench with the likes of up-and-coming trio Joe Cowell, Lucas de la Rua and Elijah Evans named alongside Leigh Halfpenny, who returns to Ravenhill 17 years after making his debut for the club at the same venue.

Cardiff Rugby team to take on Ulster Rugby at Affidea Stadium on Saturday, January 31 (19:45): 

Cam Winnett; Ioan Lloyd, Harri Millard, Steffan Emanuel, Tom Bowen; Callum Sheedy, Johan Mulder; Rhys Barratt, Evan Lloyd, Javan Sebastian, Josh McNally (capt), George Nott, Alun Lawrence, Dan Thomas, Taine Basham.

Replacements: Daf Hughes, Danny Southworth, Joe Cowell, Rory Thornton, Lucas de la Rua, Aled Davies, Elijah Evans, Leigh Halfpenny