Posted by Cardiff Blues have made seven changes to the starting XV that took the field in the win over Dragons on Boxing Day for the New Year’s Day showdown with Ospreys at Cardiff City Stadium, 7.35pm kick-off.
Head coach John Mulvihill, who returns to the stand this week after a period of self isolation, has confirmed that one player has tested positive and another is self isolating, potentially explaining some of the changes, while injuries and tactical switches account for the others.
Up front there are two new props as Rhys Carre and Dmitri Arhip pack down either side of Kris Dacey with Brad Thyer and Dillon Lewis missing out altogether, while Rory Thornton slots in at lock alongside Seb Davies as Ben Murphy is also not selected in the matchday 23.
There is also a switch in the back row as Shane Lewis-Hughes returns to start with Cory Hill missing out thanks to a minor shoulder problem. Josh Turnbull takes over as captain for the day.
In the backs there is a new half-back combination as Tomos Williams gets the nod at scrum-half with Lloyd Williams dropping to the bench, while there is no sign of Jarrod Evans so Jason Tovey is the man wearing the number 10 jersey.
The final change sees Rey Lee-Lo recalled to the starting XV with Garyn Smith switching to inside centre and Max Llewellyn dropping out.
On the bench there are returns from illness and injury for Corey Domachowski and Liam Belcher, while Keiron Assiratti and James Ratti are recalled. Willis Halaholo is also fit again to cover the outside backs, while Luke Scully could make his Cardiff Blues debut if called upon.
Cardiff Blues: Hallam Amos, Aled Summerhill, Rey Lee-Lo, Garyn Smith, Josh Adams, Jason Tovey, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Kris Dacey, Dmitri Arhip, Seb Davies, Rory Thornton, Shane Lewis-Hughes, James Botham, Josh Turnbull (c)
Replacements: Liam Belcher, Corey Domachowski, Keiron Assiratti, James Ratti, Alun Lawrence, Lloyd Williams, Jason Tovey, Willis Halaholo
Cardiff Rugby Life 