Grand Slam heroes back for Blues

Mar 27 2008 by Simon Thomas, Western Mail

THE Blues welcome back Grand Slam heroes Martyn Williams, Tom Shanklin and Gethin Jenkins for tomorrow’s Magners League trip to Edinburgh.

All three were rested for last weekend’s defeat to the Scarlets at Stradey Park after their Six Nations exertions.

But they now return to the starting line-up for the Murrayfield meeting with Andy Robinson’s Scots, who have lost just one of their last seven league games. Wales squad member Tom James is also back in action out on the wing, having recently undergone surgery to remove his appendix.

Dai Flanagan makes his first start at No 10 since before Christmas, having made his comeback from a broken hand as a sub at Stradey. And fellow fly-half Nick Robinson makes a reappearance on the bench after a length lay-off of his own, having last played in early December, when he damaged a hip muscle against Stade Francais.

Meanwhile, the Dragons are boosted by the return of skipper Colin Charvis, prop Rhys Thomas and lock Luke Charteris ahead of Sunday’s league clash with Glasgow which will take place at Rodney Parade.

Blues: B Blair; J Roberts, T Shanklin, G Thomas; T James, D Flannigan, J Spice; G Jenkins, G Williams, T Filise, D Jones, P Tito, M Molitika, X Rush, M Williams.Replacements: J Yapp, R Thomas, S Morgan, B White, R Rees, N Robinson, M Stcherbina.

Dragons: (from) K Morgan, M Thomas, G Wyatt, R Mustoe, R Fussell, R Gomer-Davies, P Emerick, A Smith, A Thomas, A Walker, W Evans; A Back, R Thomas, G Robinson, L Harrison, B Daly, S Jones, A Jones, L Charteris, P Sidoli, A Hall, J Bearman, C Charvis (capt), M Owen, J Ringer.