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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Matthew Southcombe

Cardiff v Zebre team news as released Wales players don't make starting XV

Cardiff have made just two changes to their side that beat Leinster as they prepare to welcome Zebre to the Arms Park on Friday night.

Dai Young's side secured a last-minute victory over the defending champions last time out and will now be looking to back that up with a win in a game they are expected to win.

They are without a number of internationals but Wales squad members James Ratti and Rhys Carre have been released back to them. Both are on the bench.

Willis Halaholo had also been due to be available for the Blue and Blacks but has stayed with Wales after suffering a laceration on his eyelid in training. You can read that story here.

Despite his absence, Cardiff have still named a formidable backline, with Jarrod Evans pulling the strings on his 99th appearance for the side.

He's partnered by Jamie Hill, one of the changes, at scrum-half.

Further out, meanwhile, Ben Thomas is alongside Rey Lee-Lo in the midfield, while Aled Summerhill, Owen Lane and Hallam Amos form a potent back three.

Up front, captain Josh Turnbull moves joint-second in the all-time United Rugby Championship appearance stakes as he runs out for the 216th time in the league.

Shane Lewis-Hughes, Will Boyde and James Botham are a mouthwatering back-row trio, with Brad Thyer and Dmitri Arhip packing down either side of Kirby Myhill up front.

Director of rugby Young said: “What we’ve got to be chasing is consistency of performance. It’s hard to get momentum because it’s been very stop start for us.

“We’ve set standards in our last two games and they are the standards we have to adhere to week in, week out and it doesn’t matter whose next-door.

“This is a big challenge because it’s not too difficult to get yourself up to play Quins or Leinster because that real fear factor is there. What we have to do is handle situations where we are expected to win.

“I expect us to win on the weekend. I know it’s going to be tough, it’s not being disrespectful but if we can set our standards to the levels of beating Leinster, then you have to expect to win these games.

“That’s the challenge for us. We have trained really well and I’ve been pleased with the boys’ attitude and accuracy in training but we have to maintain those standards."

Keiron Assiratti, usually a prop, provides hooker cover from the bench, having featured there for Cardiff RFC in recent weeks.

After Wales' win over Scotland last weekend, head coach Wayne Pivac suggested that Josh Navidi's return from injury but Young insisted the back-rower would not be rushed.

“Josh is not too far away,” said Cardiff boss Young. “He’s back in non-contact training this week, just to get amongst it really.

“It was great to see him out there training with the boys. We are not going to rush him, but he’s done so much work.

“When you see him out there, it looks like he’s never been away.

“I wouldn’t rule out him being fit and raring to go for Ulster. That would be the earliest and things really do need to fall into place for that to happen.

“That’s still maybe a little bit of a long shot. It may be touch and go."

Cardiff: Hallam Amos; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas, Aled Summerhill; Jarrod Evans, Jamie Hill; Brad Thyer, Kirby Myhill, Dmitri Arhip; Josh Turnbull (capt.), Rory Thornton; Shane Lewis-Hughes, Will Boyde, James Botham.

Reps: Keiron Assiratti, Rhys Carré, Will Davies-King, Teddy Williams, James Ratti, Lloyd Williams, Garyn Smith, Matthew Morgan.

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