Nicky’s battle to make cup showdown

Jan 22 2008 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

CARDIFF Blues will hope to have first-choice outside-half Nicky Robinson back for the crunch Heineken Cup quarter-final against Toulouse.

Robinson is currently sidelined with a hip injury and has set a comeback date of April, although it remains to be seen whether he will make it for the last eight showdown at the beginning of that month.

The Blues are missing Robinson and Dai Flanagan at the moment with Nick Macleod deputising. Flanagan is expected to be fit by the middle of next month after breaking his hand in the victory against Stade Francais before Christmas.

This could make the Pontypridd product available for the Blues next Magners League clash against Leinster in Dublin on February 16, which is a top-of-the-table encounter.

Australian centre Marc Stcherbina could also come into the selection equation against Toulouse after a long-term shoulder injury has ruled him out for most of the season.