Flanagan prepares for battle of the number 10s

Apr 5 2008 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

TOULOUSE v BLUES

(Tomorrow, 3pm BST, Le Stadium)

Toulouse

C Heymans; V Clerc, M Kunavore, Y Jauzion, M Medard; J-B Elissalde, B Kelleher; D Human, W Servat, S Perugini, F Pelous (capt), P Albacete, Y Nyanga, T Dusautoir, S Sowerby.

Replacements: A Vernet Basualdo, J Poux, R Millo-Chluski, J Bouilhou, V Courrent, M Ahotaeiloa, G Lamboley.

Cardiff Blues

B Blair; J Roberts, T Shanklin, G Thomas, T James; D Flanagan, J Spice; G Jenkins, G Williams, T Filise, D Jones, P Tito, M Molitika, M Williams, X Rush (capt).

Replacements: J Yapp, R Thomas, S Morgan, B White, R Rees, N Robinson, J Robinson.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

TOULOUSE (Pool Six winners)

Head coach: Guy Noves.

Captain: Yannick Jauzion.

Cup best: Winners 1996, 2003 and 2005.

This season: Edinburgh (a) won 19-15, Leinster (h) won 33-6, Leicester (a) lost 14-9, Leicester (h) won 22-11, Leinster (a) lost 20-13, Edinburgh (h) won 34-10.

Top points: 35 – Valentin Courrent.

Top tries: Four – Vincent Clerc.

Previous quarter-finals: Eight (won six, lost two).

CARDIFF BLUES (Pool Three winners)

Head coach: David Young.

Captain: Xavier Rush.

Cup best: Runners-up 1996.

This season: Bristol (h) won 34-18, Harlequins (a) drew 13-13, Stade Francais (a) lost 12-6, Stade Francais (h) won 31-21, Harlequins (h) won 23-12, Bristol (a) won 17-0.

Top points: 48 – Ben Blair.

Top tries: Two – Martyn Williams, Jamie Robinson, Maama Molitika.

Previous quarter-finals: None as Cardiff Blues. The Cardiff club side played in four quarter-finals, winning one and losing three.