International trio return for Leinster showdown

Cardiff Rugby have named an exciting team to face Leinster in a crucial BKT United Rugby Championship encounter at the Arms Park. 

International trio Liam Belcher, Ben Thomas and Mason Grady were all released from Wales and start in the Friday night encounter (7pm). 

Belcher captains the side, packing down in between Rhys Barratt and Javan Sebastian, while Josh McNally combines with George Nott. Alun Lawrence, Dan Thomas and Taine Basham form an exciting back-row. 

Behind the pack, Aled Davies partners Callum Sheedy, and Ben Thomas and Harri Millard form a familiar midfield partnership.  Grady joins Cam Winnett and Jacob Beetham in the back-three.

The Blue & Blacks are currently fifth in the URC table, two points behind second-place Leinster, who have won their last 11 games in all competitions.

Corniel van Zyl is relishing the opportunity to get back to action at the Arms Park and is expecting a full-blooded encounter as the race to the play-offs intensifies. 

He said: “It’s a big boost to get some of the internationals back. We’ve got some players we probably didn’t expect to be back, which has been a big lift. You’ve also got the under-20 boys coming in as well, which helps. 

“We have prepared well and are expecting a big challenge against a quality team. 

“Their overall game is class. They’re known for getting energy from their defence. They attack very well, they’re very good at competing at the breakdown and their compete rate is high. They manage the middle of the field well, they attack when it’s on and they keep territory when it’s not. They kick well too.

“But we have to concentrate on our game. We need to go for it by putting pressure on them and making them feel it like we did in the same fixture last year. 

“We were under a lot of pressure that day and it became too much. But it’s important to start well and apply pressure when we can. It won’t be like that for the whole game, but when we’ve got the ball and the chance to apply it, we need to take it.”

Keiron Assiratti returns from the calf injury that saw him withdraw from the Wales Six Nations squad, and Tom Bowen pulls on the number 23 jersey. Cardiff RFC and academy back-row forward Evan Rees is in line for this senior debut from the bench.

With Round 12 designated to celebrate players’ origins, both teams will be wearing their club or school socks of choice. 

Cardiff Rugby team to take on Leinster Rugby at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday, February 27 (19:00):

Cam Winnett (Treorchy/Ysgol Cwm Rhondda); Jacob Beetham (Brecon RFC/Ysgol Uwchradd Llanfair-ym-Muallt), Harri Millard (Mountain Ash / Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun), Ben Thomas (St Peters/Corpus Christi), Mason Grady (Barry & Penarth RFC / Ysgol Bro Morgannwg), Callum Sheedy (St Peters/Corpus Christi), Aled Davies (Whitland RFC/ Ysgol Bro Myrddin); Rhys Barratt (Llantwit Fardre/Coleg y Cymoedd), Liam Belcher (Porth Harlequins/Porth Community School), Javan Sebastian (Carmarthen Athletic/Queen Elizabeth High School), Josh McNally (RAF/ Aylestone High School), George Nott (Chester RUFC/Kings School, Chester), Alun Lawrence (Llantrisant RFC/ Ysgol Llanhari & Coleg y Cymoedd), Dan Thomas (Kidwelly/ Bro Myrddin), Taine Basham (Talywain/ Abersychan School)

Replacements: Daf Hughes (Llandovery/Llandovery College), Danny Southworth (Barnstaple/ Pilton School), Keiron Assiratti (Wattstown/Porth County School), Rory Thornton (Bonymaen/Cefn Hengoed), Evan Rees (Cambrian Welfare/ Ysgol Nantgwyn), Johan Mulder (University of Pretoria/ Afrikaanse Hoër Seuns Skool), Ioan Lloyd (CRICC/Glantaf), Tom Bowen (Aberdare & Abercynon/St Johns).