Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors: Guinness PRO12 preview
Last Updated: 07/11/15 4:24pm
Guinness PRO12 champions Glasgow are boosted by the return of their World Cup stars for Saturday's trip to Cardiff Blues, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 2.45pm.
Scotland internationals Stuart Hogg, Mark Bennett, Finn Russell, Jonny Gray, Josh Strauss and Ryan Grant are included in Gregor Townsend's match-day squad.
Hogg returns at full-back with Tommy Seymour and Australia international Taqele Naiyaravoro on either wing, while centre Bennett makes his first Warriors appearance since March.
Gray, who was appointed club captain during the week, partners Fijian lock Leone Nakarawa in the second row, with Strauss named at blindside flanker.
Cardiff Blues are on a five-game losing streak and head coach Danny Wilson makes seven changes to the side that slumped at Zebre last weekend.
Gethin Jenkins captains the team as tighthead Taufa'ao Filise becomes the first player to make 200 appearances for the Blues, with Kristian Dacey coming in at hooker.
Wales captain Sam Warburton is named at openside flanker while Samoa centre Rey Lee-Lo makes his debut.
"Glasgow are a very talented side, who showed last weekend against Ospreys what they are capable of," said Wilson.
"Gregor Townsend and his coaching team have done a fantastic job over the last few years and they are the model for many teams to follow."
Cardiff: 15 Dan Fish, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Tom James, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Gethin Jenkins (c), 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 4 Lou Reed, 5 James Down, 6 Ellis Jenkins, 7 Sam Warburton, 8 Josh Turnbull.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 Craig Mitchell, 19 Jarrad Hoeata, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Tom Isaacs.
Glasgow: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Peter Horne, 11 Tommy Seymour, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Grayson Hart; 1 Gordon Reid, 2 Pat MacArthur, 3 Sila Puafisi, 4 Leone Nakarawa, 5 Jonny Gray (c), 6 Josh Strauss, 7 Chris Fusaro, 8 Adam Ashe.
Replacements: 16 James Malcolm, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Greg Peterson, 20 Rob Harley, 21 Ryan Wilson, 22 Mike Blair, 23 Junior Bulumakau.
Watch Cardiff v Glasgow live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday from 2.45pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.