I’m sorry Blues, but you are going Toulouse

Mar 27 2008 South Wales Echo

Delme's Blues to face Toulouse

15. Ben Blair
He is hardly setting the world alight, but his refusal to play anywhere else and his accurate kicking keep him in this jersey.

14. Jamie Roberts
I think his natural position is full-back, but he does a solid enough job on the wing as he has proved for the Blues already.

13. Tom Shanklin
If he is a shoo-in for Wales in this position then it goes without saying that he is the same for the Blues.

12. Gareth Thomas
Some say he is past his best, but Alfie has showed his mettle as an ever-present. He’s experienced, fit, strong and scores tries.

11. Jamie Robinson
No place for him in the centre so I would use his pace on the wing. He can be a threat out wide and Tom James would be too rusty after illness.

10. Nicky Robinson
It will be a risk to plunge him back in so soon after a long lay-off but he should play because he is by far and away the best 10 the Blues have.

9. Jason Spice
The 33-year-old takes longer to get over the physical demands of games, but at his best he is a clever navigator from scrum-half. Beats Richie Rees.

1. Gethin Jenkins
He picks himself in all honesty. John Yapp is a damn good back up but you don’t go into games like this without people like Gethin Jenkins.

2. Rhys Thomas
Edges out Gareth Williams even though Williams was the one who got the Wales call-up. For me Thomas is due a big game, and where better to deliver?

3. Tao Filise
Hardly an agonising choice. There are so few options here for the Blues and with Gary Powell having picked up a foot injury, Filise gets the nod.

4. Deiniol Jones
If this guy was a couple of inches taller and a few pounds heavier he would be world class. But his hardworking honesty wins him the vote.

5. Paul Tito
The man they call Fish has made a big impression in his first season with the Blues. Will lead the lineout in the biggest game of the season.

6. Maama Molitika
An unsung hero – just think of his performance against Bristol. Has a knack of nicking important tries and beats Scott Morgan for the jersey.

7. Martyn Williams
The age-old Robin Sowden-Tayor debate will never go away but while the way Nugget is playing how can anyone leave him out?

8. Xavier Rush
You can count the number of quiet games he has had on one hand in three years. The skipper will lead from the front as usual, though Mark Lewis is a capable deputy.