Arms Park

Cardiff Blues to return to Arms Park

Cardiff Blues will return to the Arms Park next season following an agreement by Cardiff City Football Club to terminate their lease.

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Sweeney to leave Blues for Exeter Chiefs

Ceri Sweeney
Sweeney will leave the Blues at the end of the season Credit: Andrew Matthews/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Cardiff Blues fly half Ceri Sweeney is to join Exeter Chiefs at the end of the season.

The 33 year old, who joined the Blues from Newport Gwent Dragons in 2008, made his 100th appearance for the Blues in October.

Sweeney said: "It's an exciting move for me and my young family and it's a fresh challenge. I know it will be the first time i've played club rugby outside of Wales, but the thought of testing myself in the Premiership is something I'm really keen to do."

He will join Exeter on a one-year contract.

Wales prop Gethin Jenkins to rejoin Cardiff Blues

Gethin Jenkins during the France v Wales Six Nations match Credit: David Davies/PA Archive

Wales and Lions prop Gethin Jenkins will rejoin Cardiff Blues for the 2013/14 season.

He left at the end of last season to join France's RC Toulon, having originally joined the Blues in 2004.

“Gethin will be coming back to an environment that is a little different from the one he left and I think, hopefully, he will enjoy it and I know that he will add a massive amount to the group" says Phil Davies, Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby.

“I have heard how professional he is and I am really looking forward to working with him and welcoming him back to the Blues".

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Tovey grounded after dog eats passport

chewed passport
Jason Tovey was grounded after his puppy chewed his passport Credit: Wales News Service

Cardiff Blues outside-half Jason Tovey was left grounded as his team mates headed to France for their Heineken Cup clash after his puppy ate his passport.

The 23-year-old was packed and ready to fly when he found his chewed-up passport on his bedroom floor.

He said: "Buster is always chewing things but usually it's my sock and shoes. As soon as I saw the passport I thought I'd never get through airport security with it.I was dreading telling my team coach, I didn't think anyone would believe me."

Tovey was due to line up with his team against Toulon tomorrow, but thanks to the labrador pup he's now facing a £103 bill for a new passport ready for his teams next match abroad.

Halfpenny returns to Blues starting line-up

Leigh halfpenny
Cardiff Blues' Leigh Halfpenny kicks a penalty against Toulon during the Heineken Cup match at Cardiff Arms Park in October Credit: David Jones/PA Wire

Leigh Halfpenny will get his first start after the neck injury sustained during Wales 12-14 loss to Australia in the Autumn Internationals when the Blues meet Toulon in the Heineken Cup tomorrow.

The Blues have made four changes for the game, which is effectively a dead tie with the Blues unable to reach the competitions quarter final stage.

Halfpenny replaces Jason Tovey at full back while Gavin Evans has recovered from a back injury and Alex Cuthbert from a facial injury to start in place of Owen Williams and Richard Smith.

There is only one change in the forwards with James Down replacing Bradley Davies who remains at home ahead of the birth of his first child over the weekend.

Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby Phil Davies said,

“Physically we are going into the Toulon match in the best shape we have been in as a group. The progress we have made from when we started back in June is quite staggering.

"I am confident, especially after the good results of the last few games that we are in the best place to be going out to face the Top 14 side.

“We need to go out there and make sure we front up physically and when we have the ball we get over the gain line.”

RC Toulon v Cardiff Blues

Saturday 12 January 2:35pm kick off (local time)

  1. Leigh Halfpenny 14. Alex Cuthbert 13. Gavin Evans 12. Jamie Roberts 11. Harry Robinson 10. Rhys Patchell 9. Lewis Jones
  1. Robin Copeland 7. Sam Warburton 6. Josh Navidi (c ) 5. Lou Reed 4. James Down 3. Beniot Bourrust 2. Rhys Williams 1. Sam Hobbs

  2. Kristian Dacey 17. Nathan Trevett 18. Scott Andrews 19. Macauley Cook 20. Luke Hamilton 21 Gareth Davies 22. Ceri Sweeney 23. Owen Williams

Roberts and Halfpenny back for Blues

Wales backs Jamie Roberts and Leigh Halfpenny are back in the Cardiff Blues squad to face Munster tomorrow. It's the first time they are in action since being injured in the autumn internationals.

Roberts lines up at inside centre after recovering from an elbow injury picked up in the final autumn game, against Australia.

Halfpenny went to hospital with a neck injury after the same game. He starts on the bench in Ireland.

Jamie Roberts
A series of injuries have robbed the Blues of Jamie Roberts over recent months Credit: David Jones / PA Archive / Press Association Images
Leigh Halfpenny
Halfpenny will hope to get some game time from the bench against Munster Credit: Joe Giddens/EMPICS Sport

Roberts and Halfpenny return from injury to face Munster this weekend

Roberts has been sidelined with an elbow problem picked up during the final match of the Autumn International series Credit: David Davies/PA Wire

Jamie Roberts and Leigh Halfpenny are both on the verge of imminent returns for both club and country after injury layoffs it was feared could keep them out of Wales defence of their Six Nations title next month.

Roberts has been sidelined with an elbow problem picked up during the final match of the Autumn International series against Australia at the Millennium Stadium.

Halfpenny was carried off in the same game with a neck injury that was first feared could be serious, although he was later released from hospital.

Both are in line to be included in the Cardiff Blues squad to face Munster this weekend - a test which, should they come through unscathed should see them make a full return to the international set-up when they meet in the next few weeks.

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