The Blues take on Munster on Friday at 7.05pm kick off at the Cardiff City Stadium, as they return to Magners League action, with their only defeat in their last six league matches a 13-32 loss against Ulster in February.

Munster have lost only one Magners League encounter since November so it promises to be another hotly contested encounter as the Blues take on the table toppers, but the last six clashes between the two sides have all been won by the home side.

Speaking ahead of the match, Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, David Young, said,

“Munster will always focus the minds of our squad and with or without their international players Munster are always formidable.”

“They are very physical, they do the basics really well and I think they have a squad that is as strong as anyone’s in the League.”

“That’s why they are always at the top. There is competition for places in their team and that keeps everyone on their toes.”

“They have a great tradition and fight for everything that goes with the shirt.”

Speaking of the Magners League run-in Young added,

“The pressure is no different for us than it is for any other team in the top five or six.”

“Everybody realises that all the games very important and can’t afford to have a bad day.”

“That is what I think the play-offs have added to the tournament.”

“We will certainly have a buzz and enthusiasm around training over the new few weeks because each match is vital.”

The Blues welcome back Lloyd Williams to the squad who has recovered from a shoulder injury sustained against Exeter in November. Cardiff Blues Six Nations players John Yapp, Leigh Halfpenny, Bradley Davies, Jamie Roberts and Dan Park all return to the 23 but the Blues are with without Sam Warburton. Warburton picked sustained a knee injury in the defeat to France last Saturday and is expected to be out for between four to six weeks.

T Rhys Thomas is also unavailable after picking up a hip injury that may require further investigation. While Tom James is also out with a minor foot injury, Gareth Williams is out with a minor calf injury and Faul Filise with an achilles injury.

It’s Ladies Day at the match and ladies tickets are available priced at only £10. Tickets can be bought from the Cardiff City Stadium Ticket Office, 0845 345 1400 or by visiting www.cardiffblues.com/tickets. The Blues are encouraging their supporters to wear their pink shirts for the match and are offering the chance for supporters to purchase a pink shirt for only £20 from the stadium shop.

Cardiff Blues 15 Chris Czekaj 14 Richard Mustoe 13 Casey Laulala 12 Dafydd Hewitt 11 Leigh Halfpenny 10 Ceri Sweeney 9 Lloyd Williams

8 Xavier Rush 7 Martyn Williams 6 Andries Pretorius 5 Paul Tito (c) 4 Michael Paterson 3 Scott Andrews 2 Rhys Williams 1 John Yapp

16 Kristian Dacey 17 Nathan Trevett 18 Sam Hobbs 19 Bradley Davies 20 Mamma Molitika 21 Tom Slater 22 Dan Parks 23 Jamie Roberts

The following players were not available for selection because of injury and suspension:

Gareth Williams – calf
T Rhys Thomas – Hip
Sam Warburton – Knee
Tom James – Foot
Taufa’ao Felise – Achilles
Ben Blair – Knee
James Down – Foot
Gethin Jenkins – Toe
Michael Paterson – foot
Tom Shanklin – Knee
Tom Davies – Calf
Richie Rees – Suspended until 31 March.

Sweeney last started for the Blues on the 27th of November when they recorded a 38-6 victory over Glasgow. Tom Slater starts at scrum half, while Tom Shanklin is paired with Jamie Roberts at Centre for the first time this season. Leigh Halfpenny starts on the wing having come off the bench in last Friday’s win over the Ospreys.

In the forwards Tom Brown starts at Number 8 for the first time in the Magners League, his other two starts being in the LV=Cup. There is one other change in the forwards with John Yapp starting at tighthead in place of Fau Filise.

Cardiff Blues ended a three game losing run with their 27-25 victory over Ospreys on New Year’s Eve and will aim to start 2011 with a win when they welcome their Italian opponents.

The Blues have won all seven previous encounters against Italian sides in all competitions while Aironi Rugby are still without a win in the Magners League.

Despite the record Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, David Young, has seen an improvement in Aironi’s recent matches.
“We have faced Aironi already this season and it was a hard match out in Italy. Certainly Rowland Phillips will get their team well organized,” said Young.
“I think their results have shown that they’ve been very close in the last couple of games and recently recorded a famous win over Biarritz in the Heineken Cup.”
“We are expecting a tough game, but it’s a game we have to win. That’s where we are in the season. We need the wins and bonus points if we can get them.”
The Blues won 20-3 when the two sides met at Stadio Zaffanella in October and could climb back into the top four again if they get the right result.

“On the back of two good performances and getting nothing it was nice to get the result against the Ospreys,” added Young.

“Hopefully we are all happier working after a win than we would be working after a loss.”

“From now on every game has to be a cup final and a must win game for us. This is not the time to go on a bad run and we aim to start 2011 strongly.”

15 Chris Czekaj 14 Leigh Halfpenny 13 Tom Shanklin 12 Jamie Roberts 11 Tom James 10 Ceri Sweeney 9 Tom Slater

8 Tom Brown 7 Sam Warburton 6 Andries Pretorius 5 Paul Tito (c) 4 Bradley Davies
3 Jon Yapp 2 T Rhys Thomas 1 Gethin Jenkins

16 Gareth Williams 17 Scott Andrews 18 Sam Hobbs 19 Deiniol Jones 20 Martyn Williams 21 Rhys Downes 22 Dan Parks 23 Dafydd Hewitt

Rhys Wiliiams - forced retirement

Educated at Ysgol Iolo Morganwg and Cowbridge Comprehensive School, Rhys burst onto the international scene in 2000 making his Wales debut in the Six Nations Championship match against Ireland in Dublin, playing at full-back.

He had already represented Wales at all age grade levels from Under 16 to Under 21, playing in the Youth World Cup in 1999. He went on to win 44 caps for Wales playing at full-back and wing and starred for Wales during the 2005 six nations, scoring two tries against Scotland on the way to Wales’ first Grand Slam for 27 years.

At club level, Rhys progressed through the age grade system at Cardiff RFC before making a try scoring debut as an 18 year old for the senior side in the 98/99 season. He was also part of the Cardiff RFC squad that won the Welsh-Scottish League title in 1999.

His record for Cardiff RFC and Cardiff Blues makes impressive reading, scoring 100 tries in 187 appearances for the club and then the region. He is in joint 7th place with Tom James in the all time top scorers for the Cardiff Blues with 100 points (20 tries) and was Captain of the Blues during the 2005/06 season.

Williams - a great servant for club and country

Speaking of the announcement Rhys said: “I’m obviously massively disappointed to receive the news from the Doctors, but I hope in the future to look back on my rugby career and be proud of my achievements in the game.”

“Rugby has been a huge part of my life and has given me many wonderful opportunities and memories.”

“I’ve been fortunate enough to see the world while playing the game I love and have met a lot of people and made many lifelong friends.”

“To Captain the Cardiff Blues during the 2005/06 season was a huge honour and I’m also proud that I’ve only ever played for my hometown of Cowbridge and for Cardiff and the Blues.”

“I’m also vey proud to have represented my country on 44 occasions.”

“I’d like to thank everyone at the Cardiff Blues and to all the supporters for all the encouragement they have given me, especially over the challenges of the last few seasons.”

“I would especially like to thank my wife Liz and family for all their support and also to my namesake, surgeon Rhys Williams and the Cardiff Blues medical team headed up by Tim Atter for all their efforts over the last year.”

“A new chapter in my life begins and I’m looking forward to gaining some experience in the business world.”

Speaking of the announcement Cardiff Blues CEO, Robert Norster said; “Throughout his entire illustrious playing career with Cardiff RFC, the Blues and the Wales national team, Rhys Gethin Williams has consistently proved to be the proverbial model professional. The level of warmth and affection he attracts from people across the game is perhaps unsurprising given his impressive rugby and athletic abilities, good nature and profile topped off with an almost unhealthy level of good looks! Joking aside, he remains a most genuine individual with a hugely likeable character who continues to represent our team and indeed our national sport so exceptionally well.

“Having fought so tirelessly to repeatedly rehabilitate following an appalling catalogue of injuries, it is fully understandable that this day has sadly now arrived. However, an enforced and premature retirement it most certainly is at the tender age of just 29 years of age. An articulate individual with an impressive skill set both on and off the field of play, Rhys is better positioned than many to successfully develop his onward career. Despite having done so much in his curtailed playing career, it is an absolute certainty that Cardiff Blues and the national sport of Wales has not heard or seen the last of this impressive ambassador of our game.”

Blues Director of Rugby, David Young added; “It is always a sad day when a player is forced to hang up his boots and even sadder one when one of the genuine good guys is put in that position which Rhys most certainly is. On the field, his pace and elusive qualities were an integral part of his success and marked him out as a special performer with try-scoring abilities up there with the very best to have ever worn the shirt. His game understanding is also of the highest order as was evident in his time as captain of the team and will serve him well in any onward involvement in the game he may choose to pursue.”

“On behalf of everyone at the Blues, I wish him every success following what has been a long, successful and distinguished playing career”.