-Credit:Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd
Cardiff Rugby have named their team to face Connacht in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Matt Sherratt has made five changes to the team that lost 23-20 to Perpignan last weekend, with Wales internationals Ben Thomas and Ellis Bevan pairing up at fly-half and scrum-half respectively.
Thomas is one of only two fly-half options in the Wales squad, which was named on Monday, alongside uncapped Ospreys youngster Dan Edwards. This match will provide Thomas with the platform to prove he can do the job in that role, although he did play there for Wales last summer.
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Sherratt has no worries about starting Thomas at 10, despite the 26-year-old having only played there once for Cardiff in the past two seasons.
“He is capable of it and with Tinus (de Beer) missing, he always covers 10 for us and that will be the same this weekend,” said Sherratt.
“We are lucky we have Ben, Rory Jennings and Callum (Sheedy) who can cover 10. So Ben is capable of it, he showed that in the summer for Wales against Australia and the last game of the season for us against Ospreys for 25-30 minutes.
“You can see how we play, he stands at first receiver us a lot, so I don’t think it’s an issue at all.”
Cardiff are facing a huge injury crisis right now, with a total of 15 players out of action.
Taulupe Faletau, Josh Adams and James Botham, who are part of the Wales squad, while de Beer, Theo Cabango, Aled Davies, Corey Domachowski, Regan Grace, Mason Grady, Liam Belcher, Harri Millard, Iwan Stephens, Ben Donnell, Ed Byrne and Gwilym Bradley are also injured.
Jacob Beetham will make his second start of the season, slotting in at full-back instead of Cam Winnett. Thomas Young makes his return and replaces Dan Thomas at openside.
Efan Daniel returns from injury and will make an impact from the bench.
A win for Cardiff will guarantee a place in the last 16, and increases their chances of getting a home game in the knockouts.
Cardiff Rugby: Jacob Beetham, Gabe Hamer-Webb, Rey Lee-Lo, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen, Ben Thomas (c), Ellis Bevan, Rhys Barratt, Evan Lloyd, Kieron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Thomas Young, Alun Lawrence.
Replacements: Efan Daniel, Danny Southworth, Rhys Litterick, Rory Thornton, Mackenzie Martin, Johan Mulder, Callum Sheedy, Cam Winnett.
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