Ulster Rugby vs Cardiff Blues

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37 ULSTERRUGBY
The Welsh region arrive at Kingspan
Stadium on the back of successive
league victories – including a last
gasp win over Connacht last time
out – after a season of ups and
downs for the BT Sport Cardiff Arms
Park outfit.
Attack Coach John and Defence
guru Dale McIntosh are in charge
of the Blues following the shock
departure of Director of Rugby
Mark Hammett in February, with the
former New Zealand international
returning home for personal
reasons.
And the much admired coaching
duo have once again – after also
taking caretaker charge at the end
of last season - sparked an upturn
in fortunes for Blues with successes
over Edinburgh and Connacht in
recent times.
Tonight they are eager to make it
a hat-trick and also build crucial
momentum ahead of the big
European Rugby Challenge Cup
quarter-final derby clash with
Newport Gwent Dragons on Easter
weekend.
“We have a big couple of weeks
coming up that starts with Ulster
away, which is a challenge in itself,
and we need to get all the boys
back playing and gelling,” said
John. “The following week we have
the big European quarter-final derby
with Dragons, but our focus is on
this Friday and Ulster. Every game
is important to us.
“We would have liked to have
played the following week after
Connacht, if we are honest, to keep
momentum going. However, we
tried to make last week as hard as
we possibly could (with no game)
and the focus this week has all
been on Ulster. We are looking
forward to getting back on the field.”
Blues certainly have the squad
to enjoy a powerful finish to the
season with a number of Welsh
internationals back in contention
for selection tonight, although
the fixture may come too early
for legendary front rower Gethin
Jenkins following a hamstring injury.
There is also plenty of young
Welsh talent on show with Rhys
Patchell, the last action hero against
Connacht, impressive number
eight Josh Navidi, centre star Cory
Allen and rising fly half ace Gareth
Anscombe – the son of former
Ulster boss Mark - among those
eager to push their international
claims.
“The boys who didn’t play a major
part for Wales in the last few weeks
are itching to get rugby. We will look
to give them a run out; it is great to
see them back with a smile on their
face and wanting to play,” added
John.
“Alex Cuthbert, Cory Allen and
Gareth Anscombe are all back
training and they all want to play a
part.”
TONIGHT’S OPPOSITION
CLUB STATS
//Location
Cardiff, Wales
//Founded
2003
//Ground
BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park
//Capacity
12,000
//Last Game
Connacht (H) 18-17 (W)
Saturday 6th March 2015, 19:35
//Next Game
Glasgow Warriors (A)
Friday 10th April 2015, 19:35
//Recent Form
L L L W W
STAFF
// Coach
Mark Hammett
// Captain
Matthew Rees
CONTACT
Cardiff Arms Park
Westgate Street
Cardiff
Wales
Tel 029 2030 2000
Email
TICKET OFFICE
Tel 029 2030 2030
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Coach Paul John has urged his side to pick up where they
left off when they resume Guinness PRO12 action this
evening in Belfast against Ulster Rugby.