Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors, 16 September

                
Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors
Friday 16 September 2016
KO: 19:00
BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park

Not on television

Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 82nd competition game)  
Assistant Referees: Gary Conway (IRFU), Simon Rees (WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Chris Morgan (WRU)

Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record:
Played 26, Cardiff Blues won 10, Glasgow Warriors won 16.

Cardiff Blues 

15 - Matthew Morgan
14 - Alex Cuthbert
13 - Cory Allen
12 - Rey Lee-Lo
11 - Tom James
10 - Gareth Anscombe
9 - Lloyd Williams

1 - Gethin Jenkins,
2 - Kristian Dacey
3 - Taufa'ao Filise
4 - George Earle
5 - Josh Turnbull
6 - Sam Warburton
7 - Ellis Jenkins
8 - Josh Navidi

16 - Matthew Rees
17 - Rhys Gill
18 - Scott Andrews
19 - Macauley Cook
20 - Nick Williams
21 - Tomos Williams
22 - Steven Shingler
23- Blaine Scully

Glasgow Warriors

15. Stuart Hogg
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Nick Grigg
12. Peter Horne
11. Lee Jones
10. Rory Clegg
09. Ali Price

01. Gordon Reid
02. Fraser Brown
03. Zander Fagerson
04. Tim Swinson
05. Jonny Gray (Captain)
06. Rob Harley
07. Ryan Wilson
08. Josh Strauss

16. Pat MacArthur
17. Alex Allan
18. Sila Puafisi
19. Greg Peterson
20. Lewis Wynne
21. Grayson Hart
22. Mark Bennett
23. Rory Hughes

You should see the Edinburgh vs Leinster thread. It's so much better.

funnyExiledScot wrote:You should see the Edinburgh vs Leinster thread. It's so much better.

Pity that the teams aren't.

That's very unfair on Leinster GC!

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:That's very unfair on Leinster GC!

Not seeing the unfairness:

1		Ospreys	2	2	0	0	91	16	75	12	2	2	0	10
2		Glasgow Warriors	2	2	0	0	74	30	44	11	4	2	0	10
3		Ulster Rugby	2	2	0	0	51	19	32	8	2	1	0	9
4		Cardiff Blues	2	2	0	0	58	39	19	7	3	1	0	9
5		Munster Rugby	2	1	0	1	46	37	9	4	4	0	1	5
6		Leinster Rugby	2	1	0	1	45	41	4	6	6	0	0	4
7		Edinburgh Rugby	2	1	0	1	36	43	-7	3	4	0	0	4

George Carlin wrote:

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:That's very unfair on Leinster GC!

Not seeing the unfairness:

1		Ospreys	2	2	0	0	91	16	75	12	2	2	0	10
2		Glasgow Warriors	2	2	0	0	74	30	44	11	4	2	0	10
3		Ulster Rugby	2	2	0	0	51	19	32	8	2	1	0	9
4		Cardiff Blues	2	2	0	0	58	39	19	7	3	1	0	9
5		Munster Rugby	2	1	0	1	46	37	9	4	4	0	1	5
6		Leinster Rugby	2	1	0	1	45	41	4	6	6	0	0	4
7		Edinburgh Rugby	2	1	0	1	36	43	-7	3	4	0	0	4

You can prove anything with facts.

.

I'm looking forward to this, the blues seem a much improved outfit this season and on that basis I think they are slim favourites given the home advantage.

It will be interesting to see if Toonie's Tombola cranks into gear again, or if the unthinkable happens and he picks pretty much the same team again three weeks in a row. I would guess he mixes things up a bit, I think the following would be good to see:

Allan
Brown
Fagerson
Peterson
Uanivi
Harley
Favaro
Strauss

Pyrgos
Horne
Seymour
Dunbar
Bennett
Hughes
Hogg

Reid
Flynn
Puafisi
Gray
Wilson
Price
Clegg
Lamont

Could be a potential banana-skin. The addition of Nick Williams has proven a decent piece of business for thee Blues. Agree with EST in that the Tombola has shown far too much consistency which will be rectified this week .

As I understand this isn't on telly as of yet but I assume that can change.

BBC Wales or S4C will surely have it?

RDW_Scotland wrote:BBC Wales or S4C will surely have it?

From what I can find it is not on in Wales, Ulster v Scarlets is on BBC2 Wales and our game against Treviso is on S4C on Saturday.

The game is not televised. It is also at an awkward 19:00. Still, very excited for the game.

The biggest question is will tommy Seymour get 8?

It's on BBC Alba

I wonder if Matthew Morgan will start this game. Does anyone know what position he was playing when he set up the winning try against Munster last weekend? Was he playing fullback? Dan Fish was still on the pitch.

maestegmafia wrote:It's on BBC Alba

Sky says it's showing Edinburgh v Leinster.

maestegmafia wrote:It's on BBC Alba

Unless BBC have changed the scheduling the Edinburgh game is on BBC Alba at that time. This game doesn't appear to be on tv

Edinburgh game is on Alba, no Glasgow game

http://www.pro12rugby.com/broadcast-schedule/

RDW_Scotland wrote:Edinburgh game is on Alba, no Glasgow game

http://www.pro12rugby.com/broadcast-schedule/

Twitter feed it is then. Better commentary than BBC Radio Wales, which appears to be the only broadcast option.

EWT Spoons wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:It's on BBC Alba

Unless BBC have changed the scheduling the Edinburgh game is on BBC Alba at that time.  This game doesn't appear to be on tv

Hussar! There is a god then. Now I don't have to listen to Charles, Davies, Harries, Jones, Steele, etc. I forget their first names.

international198 wrote:I wonder if Matthew Morgan will start this game. Does anyone know what position he was playing when he set up the winning try against Munster last weekend? Was he playing fullback? Dan Fish was still on the pitch.

DF shifted to wing to replace TJ and Supersub played FB.

international198 wrote:I wonder if Matthew Morgan will start this game. Does anyone know what position he was playing when he set up the winning try against Munster last weekend? Was he playing fullback? Dan Fish was still on the pitch.

He ran a yard and passed the ball, so not sure he set up the winning try!

Fish is playing really well as are Shingler and Anscombe so I suspect Nipper is a long way off a start against Glasgow.

Nervous about this game - I watched about half an hour of the Blues-Munster game. 

- Warbuton is back and Blues play better when he is there
- Alex Cuthbert is back and that big donkey always seems to score against us
- Lee-Lo and Allen is a quality combination
- Tom James is scoring a lot at the moment
- Anscombe is kicking pretty well

Also, the Mighty Clownshoes is holding the whistle so literally any baffling old nonsense could happen on the field.

George Carlin wrote:Nervous about this game - I watched about half an hour of the Blues-Munster game. 

- Warbuton is back and Blues play better when he is there
- Alex Cuthbert is back and that big donkey always seems to score against us
- Lee-Lo and Allen is a quality combination
- Tom James is scoring a lot at the moment
- Anscombe is kicking pretty well

Also, the Mighty Clownshoes is holding the whistle so literally any baffling old nonsense could happen on the field.

Also remember that the Blues managed to beat the 1872 Champions, so they must be pretty hot.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Nervous about this game - I watched about half an hour of the Blues-Munster game. 

- Warbuton is back and Blues play better when he is there
- Alex Cuthbert is back and that big donkey always seems to score against us
- Lee-Lo and Allen is a quality combination
- Tom James is scoring a lot at the moment
- Anscombe is kicking pretty well

Also, the Mighty Clownshoes is holding the whistle so literally any baffling old nonsense could happen on the field.

Also remember that the Blues managed to beat the 1872 Champions, so they must be pretty hot.

Fact. Although at the last SRU meeting, I lobbied hard to change the current policy that Edinburgh are sh!te for the entire year with the exception of the 2 x 1872 Cup matches which apparently Edinburgh players 'are up for'.

The other 20 matches apparently not worth bothering one's arse about.

George Carlin wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Nervous about this game - I watched about half an hour of the Blues-Munster game. 

- Warbuton is back and Blues play better when he is there
- Alex Cuthbert is back and that big donkey always seems to score against us
- Lee-Lo and Allen is a quality combination
- Tom James is scoring a lot at the moment
- Anscombe is kicking pretty well

Also, the Mighty Clownshoes is holding the whistle so literally any baffling old nonsense could happen on the field.

Also remember that the Blues managed to beat the 1872 Champions, so they must be pretty hot.

Fact. Although at the last SRU meeting, I lobbied hard to change the current policy that Edinburgh are sh!te for the entire year with the exception of the 2 x 1872 Cup matches which apparently Edinburgh players 'are up for'.

The other 20 matches apparently not worth bothering one's arse about.

You haven't read the latest memo. Edinburgh only play well when it's hot and sunny, unless it's a 1872 Cup game.

Seagultaf wrote:

international198 wrote:I wonder if Matthew Morgan will start this game. Does anyone know what position he was playing when he set up the winning try against Munster last weekend? Was he playing fullback? Dan Fish was still on the pitch.

He ran a yard and passed the ball, so not sure he set up the winning try!

Fish is playing really well as are Shingler and Anscombe so I suspect Nipper is a long way off a start against Glasgow.

Fish spend the last 10 minutes on the wing with Morgan at FB.

Fish was also limping the entire end of the match, so not sure if he will be fit for this one. In which case Morgan will probably start (unless they through Blaine Scully or Shingler in there, but that is unlikely)

George Carlin wrote:Nervous about this game - I watched about half an hour of the Blues-Munster game. 

- Warbuton is back and Blues play better when he is there
- Alex Cuthbert is back and that big donkey always seems to score against us
- Lee-Lo and Allen is a quality combination
- Tom James is scoring a lot at the moment
- Anscombe is kicking pretty well

Also, the Mighty Clownshoes is holding the whistle so literally any baffling old nonsense could happen on the field.

Don't think Warburton makes much difference to be honest, bar 2 or 3 games a year when he shows up. He might not start with Navidi / Jenkins / Turnball competing for places.

Cuthbert is looking okay, but was outshone by James and Fish last weel

Lee-Lo is a god and should be worshipped.

Anscombe and Shingler both look to be in some form. More importantly, so do both our SHs, with Tomos Williams really putting a mark down.

But we did have a lot of that last year. The difference is the forwards are continuing to improve, and the new lot are doing what we needed - bring in some grunt. Earle and Williams have had very good starts to the season.


Glasgow are clearly the best team in the league and I am far more concerned by them coming to CAP than any other team. If we can pull off a win, then we really will be pushing for the playoff spot at the end of the season. (and will Treviso up next, we will have a great chance to go 4 from 4)

Have to agree with you there 606. Something else that dawned on me is, will les Blues lose that many players to team Wales? I can think of a few definites but it seems that they each have a decent enough replacement and their game plan under Wilson is working. International weekends might be a good opportunity for Cardiff to get more points.

The Blues are a much improved side from last year. I think it will be a tight game, but I am going to make my prediction of Cardiff by 7

mikey_dragon wrote:Have to agree with you there 606. Something else that dawned on me is, will les Blues lose that many players to team Wales? I can think of a few definites but it seems that they each have a decent enough replacement and their game plan under Wilson is working. International weekends might be a good opportunity for Cardiff to get more points.

We won't really lose any players we rely on except for Anscombe and Gethin. Warburton and Cuthbert are not really that important for the Blues at the moment. (Though we may lose some of the in-form younger players if they get called up)

The squad is shaping up well around a core group of NWQ / Unlikely to be called up players. Similar to how it was in '07 - '09.

Hopefully we will have a season long core of players - Filse / Earle / Jenkins / N. Williams / T.Williams / Ray-Lee Lo / Tom James / Dan Fish

What? Warbuton not really missed?

That's the nailed on, dipped in bronze and categorically immoveable Lions captain next year that you're talking about.

Allegedly. According to some people*.

* Jiffy and Sam's mum.

No GC, that's AWJ you're talking about .

Its funny how Filise, an ancient tighthead who has already attempted to retire, is still a more important/better player for Cardiff than an Australian with 14 caps in Ma'afu.

If it was not for Gatland and his belief that size will always win, Tom James would be playing for Wales rather than Cuthbert.

George Carlin wrote:What? Warbuton not really missed?

That's the nailed on, dipped in bronze and categorically immoveable Lions captain next year that you're talking about.

Allegedly. According to some people*.

* Jiffy and Sam's mum.

Not for the Blues he is not. Especially not when we have Ellis Jenkins and Josh Navidi to fill in.

Hazel Sapling wrote:Its funny how Filise, an ancient tighthead who has already attempted to retire, is still a more important/better player for Cardiff than an Australian with 14 caps in Ma'afu.

If it was not for Gatland and his belief that size will always win, Tom James would be playing for Wales rather than Cuthbert.

Ma'afu can barely walk up a flight of stairs let alone play rugby

James is always average for Wales, that's why he is never a constant member in the international squad. A great club player at best.

wales606 wrote:Glasgow are clearly the best team in the league and I am far more concerned by them coming to CAP than any other team. If we can pull off a win, then we really will be pushing for the playoff spot at the end of the season.

Well that's not necessarily true, is it?

wales606 wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Have to agree with you there 606. Something else that dawned on me is, will les Blues lose that many players to team Wales? I can think of a few definites but it seems that they each have a decent enough replacement and their game plan under Wilson is working. International weekends might be a good opportunity for Cardiff to get more points.

We won't really lose any players we rely on except for Anscombe and Gethin. Warburton and Cuthbert are not really that important for the Blues at the moment. (Though we may lose some of the in-form younger players if they get called up)

The squad is shaping up well around a core group of NWQ / Unlikely to be called up players. Similar to how it was in '07 - '09.

Hopefully we will have a season long core of players - Filse / Earle / Jenkins / N. Williams / T.Williams / Ray-Lee Lo / Tom James / Dan Fish

And Willis Halaholo coming into the midfield

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

wales606 wrote:Glasgow are clearly the best team in the league and I am far more concerned by them coming to CAP than any other team. If we can pull off a win, then we really will be pushing for the playoff spot at the end of the season.

Well that's not necessarily true, is it?

Would you rather I phrased it:

If we beat Glasgow at home, then we are likely to beat most other teams in the in league at home (bar changes in form, flukes and one-off under/over performances which always happen) and since we just beat Munster away, we are likely to pick up some more away wins, at least against the Italian teams which we f'ed up last season and considering we appear to be continuing an improvement in performance since Christmas last year from which we have won the vast majority of our matches, then, assuming no dramatic changes in form (which seem unlikely with the current coaching set-up) or severe injury concerns, then the likelyhood of us being in contention for a top 4 play-off place during the last few weeks of the season compared to competing for a top 6 slot as we were last season is dramatically improved.

Personally I prefer the shorter version.

Glasgow team out

Reid
Brown
Fagerson
Swinson
Gray
Harley
Wilson
Strauss

Price
Clegg
Jones
Horne
Grigg
Seymour
Hogg

MacArthur, Allan, Puafisi, Petersen, Wynne, Hart, Bennett, Hughes

Ah there's the tombola we all know and love!

That backline -

Not sure it's a good idea not having an out and out 7 against the Blues backrow either.

Looks like a strong team, though I don't know much about those halfbacks

wales606 wrote:Looks like a strong team, though I don't know much about those halfbacks

Pack is pretty strong but that backline is much weaker than the last 2 weeks

Price - 2nd choice
Clegg - 3rd choice
Jones - 2nd/3rd choice
Horne - 1st/2nd choice
Grigg - 3rd/4th choice
Seymour - 1st choice
Hogg - 1st choice

wales606 wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

wales606 wrote:Glasgow are clearly the best team in the league and I am far more concerned by them coming to CAP than any other team. If we can pull off a win, then we really will be pushing for the playoff spot at the end of the season.

Well that's not necessarily true, is it?

Would you rather I phrased it:

If we beat Glasgow at home, then we are likely to beat most other teams in the in league at home (bar changes in form, flukes and one-off under/over performances which always happen) and since we just beat Munster away, we are likely to pick up some more away wins, at least against the Italian teams which we f'ed up last season and considering we appear to be continuing an improvement in performance since Christmas last year from which we have won the vast majority of our matches, then, assuming no dramatic changes in form (which seem unlikely with the current coaching set-up) or severe injury concerns, then the likelyhood of us being in contention for a top 4 play-off place during the last few weeks of the season compared to competing for a top 6 slot as we were last season is dramatically improved.

Much better!

Blues team:

1. Jenkins
2. Dacey
3. Filise
4. Earle
5. Turnball
6. Warburton
7. Jenkins
8. Navidi
9. L.Williams
10. Anscombe
11. James
12. Lee-Lo
13. Allen
14. Cuthbert
15. Morgan

16. Rees
17. Gill
18. Andrews
19. Cook
20. N.Williams
21. T.Williams
22. Shingler
23. Scully

Decent forward pack with the first choice front 5 (more or less) and a big back row. No true 7 as RDW mentioned is strange unless they just plan on trying beat up Cardiff with their size.

Price gets a start. If he can continue on last season's vein of form he will be good and Clegg is a good veteran outside of him. Horne at 12 and Grigg at 13 is a bit undersized. It gets no better when Bennett comes on either. Happy to see Grigg recovered from that nasty knockout at Quins. Jones replaces Sarto to probably make our quickest back 3 with Seymour and Hogg.

Good side even if they backs are comparatively lightweight to normal. Plenty of quality.

It's a good Blues team, though a few of the form players aren't there - like T.Williams and Fish.

Backrow of 3 opensides is interesting (and Turnball in the second row). Hopefully to keep pace with Glasgow and play an open game. Though think we will miss N.Williams go forward :/

I can only assume that Fish is out injured as he has been in good form. Shame to see Tomos Williams not starting as he has shown some quality these last two weeks. Older head for this game might be the correct option. Three opensides will be interesting. Think we lack bulk and might be caught out if Glasgow go direct. Cannot wait for tomorrow!

Hazel Sapling wrote:Decent forward pack with the first choice front 5 (more or less) and a big back row. No true 7 as RDW mentioned is strange unless they just plan on trying beat up Cardiff with their size.

Price gets a start. If he can continue on last season's vein of form he will be good and Clegg is a good veteran outside of him. Horne at 12 and Grigg at 13 is a bit undersized. It gets no better when Bennett comes on either. Happy to see Grigg recovered from that nasty knockout at Quins. Jones replaces Sarto to probably make our quickest back 3 with Seymour and Hogg.

Good side even if they backs are comparatively lightweight to normal. Plenty of quality.

It is a strange selection in that regard as they have gone for a heavy pack with no 7 and combined it with a very small backline. There's no point having small fast backs if you can't produce quick ball given the opposition have 3 opensides.

There's no ball carriers in the backs either - I can see a lot of sideways movement happening in attack.