The new head coach has selected a blend of youth and experience for his first taste of regional rugby. Tom James returns to the side for the first time since after taking an extended break last season to deal with depression. The Blues have pre-season run-outs against the 10-time English champions and Exeter Chiefs before they kickoff their Guinness PRO14 campaign with the ultimate test against domestic and European champions Leinster
Olly Robinson captains the side from the back-row, with former Wales Sevens star, Jason Harries, set to make his debut following a summer move from Edinburgh. Dan Fish, Willis Halaholo, Lewis Jones and Steven Shingler provide further experience to the backline, while new loan signing Rory Thornton is set to make his bow from the bench.
Former Wales Under-20 duo, Callum Bradbury and James Botham, join Robinson in the back row, while Brad Thyer, Ethan Lewis, Ben Murphy and James Down complete the pack.
New head coach Mulvihill said: “I was looking forward to getting started five weeks ago! To have a game this week, you can see there is a subtle change in the boys’ preparations.
“We’re looking forward to getting started and seeing the local crowd come back. It’s a first opportunity for us to get a game after the boys won out in Bilbao last season, they finished the season really well and hopefully we’ll take some momentum into the new season.
“We have a pretty strong side out, a lot of boys that have played for Cardiff Blues before. Some of our internationals aren’t playing this week, but they will feature next week in Exeter. There are a few boys who have had minor surgeries over the summer, and they’re just about ready to come in, so there will be four or five players coming into the main squad next week”Â
Wales Under-20 captain Tommy Reffell starts on the openside flank for the Tigers, who have former Blues prop Campese Ma’afu in their ranks.
