Cardiff Rugby is set to make significant changes as they prepare to face Edinburgh on Saturday night, October 25. This match, taking place at Cardiff Arms Park, marks a crucial point in the BKT United Rugby Championship schedule. Cardiff enters this game after a strong bonus-point victory over the Dragons.
Key Changes in the Cardiff Lineup
Head coach Corniel van Zyl has introduced six alterations to the starting lineup for this critical clash. Notably, Ioan Lloyd will make his first competitive start after returning to his childhood club earlier this season. Van Zyl aims to capitalize on the team’s recent momentum by refreshing the squad for this important match.
Notable Player Returns
- Ioan Lloyd takes his place at fly-half.
- Johan Mulder is back at scrum-half.
- Jacob Beetham moves to full-back, stepping in for the injured Callum Sheedy.
- Harri Millard teams up with Ben Thomas in the midfield.
- Prop changes include Danny Southworth and Javan Sebastian returning to the starting front row.
- Taine Basham will wear the number seven jersey.
Van Zyl commented on the upcoming match, emphasizing the importance of preparation. He noted that Edinburgh has shown resilience, bouncing back from previous challenges. He remarked, “This Saturday will be a step up. Edinburgh will come motivated after their recent win against Benetton.”
Match Strategy and Outlook
The Cardiff coach acknowledged the strength of Edinburgh’s defense and set-piece capabilities, which have posed unique challenges throughout the season. To counter these threats, he believes the team must perform at their best to secure a win.
The bench also features a 6-2 split, including impactful players like Dan Thomas and Alun Lawrence. Aled Davies and Callum Sheedy provide additional cover in the half-back positions.
Match Details
The Cardiff Rugby team set to face Edinburgh is as follows:
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Full-back | Jacob Beetham |
| Wing | Josh Adams |
| Centre | Harri Millard |
| Centre | Ben Thomas |
| Wing | Tom Bowen |
| Fly-half | Ioan Lloyd |
| Scrum-half | Johan Mulder |
| Prop | Danny Southworth |
| Hooker | Liam Belcher (capt) |
| Prop | Javan Sebastian |
| Lock | Josh McNally |
| Lock | George Nott |
| Flanker | Alex Mann |
| No. 8 | Taulupe Faletau |
| Flanker | Taine Basham |
Cardiff Rugby fans can purchase tickets for the match scheduled at 7:45 PM. For tickets, visit the El-Balad website or call 029 20 302030.
