Nicky Robinson back for Cardiff Blues at last

Apr 9 2008 By Simon Tomas, Western Mail

NICKY ROBINSON will make his first start for the Blues in four months when he lines up against the Scarlets at the Arms Park tomorrow evening.

The outside-half has fully recovered from the hip injury which has wrecked his season and gets his chance to go head to head with Wales Grand Slam star Stephen Jones.

Welcoming Robinson’s return, backs coach Rob Howley said: "Obviously everyone has been aware of our situation at number 10 over the last four months.

"To have Nicky back, playing consistently well, will certainly help the Blues back line.

"Hopefully on the night he can guide us in the right direction and play in the right areas and get the best out of our back line."

Robinson will be joined by brother Jamie, who comes in at outside centre for Tom Shanklin as the Blues make nine changes, one of those positional, from the side that lost 41-17 to Toulouse in last Sunday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final.

Howley commented: "Jamie came on and played really well out in France. He has been really disappointed over the last couple of weeks that he hasn’t been playing and he’s got a great opportunity now up against one of the outstanding 13s in European rugby in Regan King."

Prop Gethin Jenkins and wing Jamie Roberts are unavailable with ankle injuries while Martyn Williams assumes the captaincy as Xavier Rush is a replacement. Blues: @ B Blair; G Thomas, J Robinson, M Stcherbina, T James; N Robinson, J Spice; J Yapp, R Thomas, G Powell, D Jones, S Morgan, M Molitika, M Lewis, M Williams (capt). Replacements: T Filise, G Williams, P Tito, X Rush, R Rees, D Flanagan, T Shanklin.