Cardiff to prevail

Cardiff v Connacht:Tom Shanklin, Martyn Williams and Gethin Jenkins return for Cardiff tonight, while Gareth Thomas should make an appearance off the bench providing the paperwork confirming his transfer from Toulouse is completed in time.

Regardless, Connacht are in for a tough night as the Blues must still atone for the home defeat to Leinster two weeks back. The Magners Celtic League leaders arrive at this juncture in buoyant mood having won in Cork last week, so much so, captain Xavier Rush and Nick Robinson have been rested.

Williams v Johnny O'Connor is an intriguing head-to-head at the breakdown. Gavin Duffy returns from World Cup duty and reclaims the fullback slot from another homegrown talent, Peter Durcan. Other changes see John Fogarty, Robbie Morris, Ray Ofisa and John Muldoon, stand-in captain for the injured Andrew Farley, all come into the pack in the wake of last week's defeat to Glasgow.

CARDIFF BLUES: B Blair; R Williams, T Selley, T Shanklin, T James; D Flanagan, R Rees; G Jenkins, G Williams, S Roberts; D Jones, P Tito; S Morgan, M Williams, M Lewis. Replacements: T Filise, T Rhys Thomas, B Davies, M Molitika, J Spice, N Macleod, G Thomas/J Roberts.

CONNACHT: G Duffy; O Treviranus, M Deane, A Wynne, K Matthews; T Donnelly, C McPhillips; B Wilkinson, J Fogarty, R Morris; M Swift, D Gannon; R Ofisa, J O'Connor, J Muldoon (capt). Replacements: J Merrigan, B McGovern, A Browne, M McCarthy, A Browne, C O'Loughlin, P Durcan.

Referee: P Fitzgibbon (IRFU).

Verdict: Cardiff win.