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High-flying Cardiff take on the Scarlets at the Arms Park on Friday night
Cardiff and Scarlets have both been boosted by the return of Wales internationals ahead of Friday’s derby at the Arms Park (kick-off: 7.45pm).
Dwayne Peel’s side will be looking to keep their good run of results at the Arms Park going, with the west Walians having not lost at the ground since 2019. They’ve also won four on the bounce away to Cardiff, having last been beaten by the Blue and Blacks in the capital at the Cardiff City Stadium in 2021.
Peel is able to call upon Wales internationals Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams and Gareth Davies as he makes eight changes to the side that were beaten in Bordeaux last week.
As for high-flying Cardiff, the Arms Park club are able to welcome back the likes of Liam Belcher, Mason Grady, Cam Winnett and Taulupe Faletau to their matchday squad as they look to strengthen their play-off credentials with a strong festive period.
Club captain Belcher returns from a neck injury, joining a all-new front-row comprised of Wales international Danny Southworth and former Scarlets prop Javan Sebastian.
Josh McNally is also back in the starting XV, with Corniel van Zyl keeping the same back-row from last weekend’s Challenge Cup victory over Ulster.
Behind the pack, the only changes are in the back-three, with Grady and Winnett joining Josh Adams.
“We were really pleased with our result against Ulster and the way the boys fought back for a great win,” said van Zyl. “It has kept our momentum going ahead of a massive run of games with three consecutive Welsh derbies.
“We are in a good position in the league, which is nice to see, but it’s all about taking it one game at a time and all that matters right now is the Scarlets. It’s been a long time since we beat them at the Arms Park so that is a big motivation for the group.
“After a tough start, they have really found some form, they enjoy coming here, are building momentum and have a lot of experience with quality players. It promises to be a great occasion, with a packed stadium and we will need to be at the top of our game, but it is a challenge that we are looking forward to.”
Cardiff currently sit second in the table after a strong start to the season, but face the challenge of ending the Scarlets’ impressive run in the Welsh capital.
“Over the other side from the tunnel there is always a sea of Scarlet,” said Peel. “What did the PA announcer say last year? ‘Scarlets fans have a safe trip back home to Pontcanna’.
“There are a lot of West Walians living in Cardiff and it is always a well-supported match for us.
“Our fans travel well, we had something like 500 in Bordeaux, it was class to see them. Their support is so important for us and to put on a show for them is important for us.”
The return of full-back Murray in particular is a boost for the Scarlets, having not featured since the autumn internationals.
Joe Hawkins continues at fly-half, with Sam Costelow ruled out with an ankle injury picked up in training.
In the pack, there’s changes to the Scarlets’ front-row, with Kemsley Mathias and Ryan Elias starting, while Sam Lousi is brought into the second-row.
That allows Max Douglas to move back to the blindside and captain Josh Macleod to revert to his favoured openside.
Carmarthen Quins’ fly-half Elis Price is set for his URC debut after being named among the replacements.
Cardiff: Cam Winnett: Josh Adams, Harri Millard, Ben Thomas, Mason Grady; Callum Sheedy, Aled Davies; Danny Southworth, Liam Belcher (capt), Javan Sebastian, Josh McNally, George Nott, James Botham, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence.
Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Rhys Barratt, Sam Wainwright, Rory Thornton, Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau, Johan Mulder, Jacob Beetham.
Scarlets: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Eddie James, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee; Joe Hawkins, Gareth Davies; Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas, Sam Lousi, Jake Ball, Max Douglas, Josh Macleod (capt), Fletcher Anderson.
Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Alec Heburn, Harri O’Connor, Jarrod Taylor, Dan Davis, Archie Hughes, Elis Price, Joe Roberts.
