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Blues boosted by Welsh internationals

CARDIFF BLUES have been boosted by the return of a quartet of Wales stars as Dai Young makes four changes for a must-win Guinness PRO14 showdown with Edinburgh on Monday (8pm).

Jarrod Evans and Hallam Amos were released back to their club on Friday and have been joined by fellow Wales squad members Rhys Carré and Lloyd Williams who were travelling reserves in France.

Two of the four changes come in the backline with Wales duo Williams and Evans combining to form an experienced half-back combination, with Ben Thomas moving into the centre to partner Rey Lee-Lo.

There are two more changes of personnel in the pack with Rhys Gill starting in the place of Corey Domachowski, who picked up a knock in training, and Dmitri Arhip returning at tight-head.

Amos and Carré, who each made one appearance in the Six Nations, are named among the replacements for the decisive Arms Park encounter.

Cardiff must beat Edinburgh to keep alive their hopes of a qualifying spot for next season’s Heineken Champions Cup.

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While the Scottish outfit boast two games in hand, a Cardiff Blues victory at the Arms Park, with a 4-0 or 5-1 match-point advantage, would ensure a fourth place finish, while there is also still an outside chance of finishing third.

Young said: “If we are to secure Champions Cup rugby then we need to win this game. It is as simple as that.

“We all want to test ourselves at the highest level and it will be brilliant for everyone associated with the club to return to the top tier but we have to get the job done on Monday to give ourselves the best chance.

“Edinburgh are a quality team, who will be desperate to keep alive their own hopes and will be coming here highly motivated and with confidence following their win at Connacht. We will need to be at our best and put together a full performance for the 80 minutes.

“Given the magnitude of the encounter and the availability of some of our Wales contingent we have selected accordingly and named our strongest available 23.

“Having their added quality and experience within our group is a big boost and we are all determined to finish the PRO14 on a high before turning attention to Europe and the Rainbow Cup.”

Josh Turnbull continues to captain the side in an unchanged back-row with Olly Robinson and Ellis Jenkins, while Rory Thornton and Seb Davies continuing in the second-row.

The returning Arhip combines in the front-row with Liam Belcher and Rhys Gill, who successfully returned to action last weekend,

Elsewhere, the same back-three that took to the field against Benetton continue at the Arms Park.

Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Jason Harries, Rey Lee-Lo, Ben Thomas, Aled Summerhill; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Rhys Gill, Liam Belcher, Dmitri Arhip, Seb Davies, Rory Thornton, Olly Robinson, Ellis Jenkins, Josh Turnbull (capt).

Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Rhys Carré, Dillon Lewis, James Ratti, Alun Lawrence, Lewis Jones, Max Llewellyn, Hallam Amos.

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