Cardiff Blues director of rugby Phil Davies has called on his young charges to show no fear as they welcome RaboDirect PRO12 champions Leinster to the Arms Park on Thursday. Due to international call-ups and injuries, the Blues are without 22 players in total as they look to bounce back from last week’s home defeat at the hands of Glasgow. Indeed, the Blues' only victory in their last seven RaboDirect PRO12 contests came at home to Newport Gwent Dragons on New Year's Day and they have beaten an Irish province just once in their last eight encounters. Their record against Leinster does not make for pretty reading and they have won just one of their last 14 clashes, but Davies has called on his side to embrace the challenge. "In all the Irish provinces there is huge depth and Leinster will be strong no matter what side they select. They showed that last weekend against the Dragons as they claimed a bonus point win,” he said. "We have a total of 22 players missing in total, either away on international duty or injured, but have great faith in our boys and I know they can do a great job. We have a number of young players involved and it's exciting to see them get an opportunity to impress. "The squad has worked very hard and we've had good patches throughout this season. But this is the most important period we have had and we are going to have this season. "After the frustration of the last match against Glasgow the quick turnaround it's great. "It's a big challenge as we hunt a top six place and we need to start getting positive results. It's vital we get the team emotional and physically ready for this game and hopefully we will have a big crowd right behind us to see us tackle the champions.” Davies makes seven changes in total with Josh Navidi returning at flanker and exciting young wing Owen Jenkins, who last month signed a long-term deal at Blues, one of four changes to the back division. Gavin Evans is named at inside centre, where he will partner Isaia Tuifua, while a new-look half back pairing will see Gareth Davies and Lewis Jones join forces. Leinster, meanwhile have made wholesale changes, most notably with both Richardt Strauss and Luke Fitzgerald returning, albeit that Fitzgerald will again be assessed ahead of the game in Cardiff. At half-back Eoin Reddan is again selected at scrum-half having fully recovered from a calf injury with Jimmy Gopperth selected at No.10. Despite the raft of changes, Leinster will be looking to maintain their impressive form, having been beaten just once in the RaboDirect PRO12 since round five. They have not been defeated by a Welsh region in any competition since they visited Ospreys in November 2012 and forwards coach Jono Gibbes is approaching the fixture with optimism, targeting improvements in performance from their victory over the Dragons last time out. He said: “There’s definitely a couple of things we can do, awareness wise, to have more positive outcomes, in the breakdown area in particular, and give us a little bit more dynamic play.” At Arms Park, 8.05pm. Live on BBC Wales/RTE Referee: Andrew McMenemy (SRU, 27th competition game) Assistant Referees: Gwyn Morris, Greg Morgan (both WRU)~ Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU) TMO: Paul Adams (WRU)
