Posted by There was disappointment all-round for Cardiff Blues players and coaches in international action over the weekend as Wales, Samoa and Canada all suffered defeat.
Tomos Williams and Josh Adams both started for Wales in Dublin on Saturday as they took on Ireland in a return pre-World Cup warm-up, with Dillon Lewis and Josh Navidi on the bench, but none could prevent a 19-10 defeat.
Unfortunately Tomos did not do quite enough in his hour on the field to usurp Gareth Davies as the starting scrum-half, but Josh Adams is assured of his spot on the wing, while Josh Navidi should come back in at blindside flanker.
On the other side of the globe, Manu Samoa fell to a 34-15 defeat to Australia in New South Wales, a loss but a result that confidence can be taken from, as a competitive performance caused a top tier one team some serious problems.
Rey Lee-Lo carried well and was a big part in the build-up to a try, as he heads to Japan a senior player of the squad and the clear starting inside centre, while former Cardiff Blues scrum-half Pele Cowley will join him as a late injury replacement.
Finally finishing in North America, Academy Manager Gruff Rees saw the Canada team where he is attack coach fall 15-20 to USA at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.
The Canadians are struggling for wins and haven’t beaten the USA Eagles since 2013. Add in injuries picked up in this game and it may well be a tough World Cup for Kingsley Jones’s men as they come up against New Zealand and South Africa.
On the other side of that game was former Cardiff Blues man Blaine Scully though, who won his 50th cap for the Eagles and joined Cam Dolan in being named in the 31-man squad to travel to Japan.
Cardiff Rugby Life 