Sale Sharks v. Cardiff Blues preview

Sharks commence this season's HC trail on Saturday playing host to the Cardiff Blues. Cardiff, beaten finalists in the early years of the competition, are much experienced in Europe but, like ourselves, had a disappointing campaign last year in a group featuring Ulster, Saints and Biarritz (who put fourteen tries past them at the Aguierra stadium). Shorn of five RWC players - four Welsh and one Namibian, life has not been easy for Dai Young and his squad with early elimination from the Celtic Cup at the hands of Edinburgh and mediocrity in the Celtic League. The Blues in fact have not won away from home this season but if anything was gleaned from last season's European venture, it was the fact that the Celtic clubs dramatically raise their game for the HC. It is their season. The salutary lesson delivered by Glasgow at Hughenden last season plus the professional performance by the Scarlets at HR will no doubt have featured in the team's preparation this week but Cardiff are more than just a banana skin and could field a side with twelve full internationals in their starting lineup. I am sure that no one will underestimate the talents that exist within Welsh rugby post RWC.

Although Saturday's team is unavailable as yet, Young`s selection for their 31-10 defeat at the hands of Munster last week gives some clues towards his line up and should feature some familiar names. I'd expect to see all the Welsh RWC contingent from the start in a team which could include five players with ZP experience led by Martyn Williams, a player much admired by the Sale Playing Management Team.

Possible line up:

15.Rhys Williams*

14.Tom Shanklin (ex Sarries)*

13.Jamie Robinson*

12.Matt Allen (ex Saints and England A)

11.Craig Morgan *

10.Iestyn Harris*

9.Ryan Powell*

1.Jon Yapp

2.Gareth Williams*

3.Darren Crompton (ex Brizz etc)

4.Craig Quinnell* (ex Sarries etc)

5.Andy Moore*

6.Dan Baugh*

7.Martyn Williams*

8.Nathan Thomas* (ex-Bath)

Two years ago in conversation with beaten Pont fans at the Kassam, they likened us to Cardiff in terms of style. Certainly, Cardiff believe that they have a running back line to match any in the British Isles and Ireland. Quite what they make of a forward pack which could contain Great White and Big Ted in the starting line up for the first time this season is another matter which makes me think that they'll start with Quinnell rather than the Namibian Senekal in their front five and Crompton, who knows Big Ted from their Brizz days in the front row rather than Ben Evans on the tight head.

I was a little concerned to see Frank and Pinkers leave the field last Sunday - neither is prone to depart unless needs must but we will surely welcome both JR and Big Ted back to the starting line up .If we keep our discipline, I am sure we can put on a show and get this season's Euro Tour off to a good start.