Cardiff Blues host Munster at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday at 7.15pm as seventh plays third in the Guinness PRO12.

The Blues are looking for their third successive win while Munster lost for their first league match since October – a run of nine games – last week to Scarlets

What’s at stake?
Munster are just two points off Leinster in top spot and could finish the weekend as league-leaders depending on results elsewhere.

The Blues could move up one place to sixth with a bonus-point win provided Glasgow Warriors lose to Newport Gwent Dragons.

Cardiff Blues team news: Danny Wilson has been forced into making changes to his side to take on Munster. With Wales retaining Alex Cuthbert and Kristian Dacey, Aled Summerhill and Matthew Rees come into the starting line-up.

Rhys Gill has been ruled out due to injury with Corey Domachowski his replacement and open side Josh Navidi returns to full fitness to start.

Munster team news: Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has made five changes from the side that lost to Scarlets in round 16 with second row Darren O’Shea coming in to partner skipper Billy Holland in the engine room. Robin Copeland has recovered from a thumb injury to take his place at No.8.

Ian Keatley returns to partner Duncan Williams in the half-backs as Tyler Bleyendaal is rested.

While Rory Scannell joining Jaco Taute in the midfield. Scannell overcame a knock to his knee while Taute switches from full-back to outside centre to accommodate Andrew Conway.

Talking points:

Ahead of their round 17 clash with Munster, Cardiff Blues boss Danny Wilson is confident his side can secure not only their third consecutive win but mount their charge for a top-six finish.

Wilson said: “It’s a great challenge to try to secure the double over Munster, something which doesn’t present itself season in, season out, and we have that opportunity over the weekend.

“We targeted three wins out of four games. We slipped up in the first game against Connacht at home, which has put a bit of pressure on this last one against Munster.

“Now we really want to achieve that goal and objective to give ourselves the opportunity to be in that top six.”

Key battle: Matthew Morgan v Andrew Conway

After recovering from a groin injury, Munster full-back Andrew Conway will be eager to make up for lost time by putting in a big performance.

Conway will have his work cut out as his opposite man Matthew Morgan has been in sparkling form with the ball in hand.

Loose kicking from the Munster backs will give the dangerous Morgan good counter-attacking opportunities on a surface suited for running rugby at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.

Key stat: Munster Rugby’s nine game winning streak in the Guinness PRO12 ended at home to Scarlets on Friday.

Did you know? Cardiff Blues have won their last two matches in the Guinness PRO12, against Benetton Treviso and Edinburgh, but have not won three in a row since September.

Cardiff Blues Top points scorer: Steve Shingler 114pts Top try scorer: Tom James 6

Munster Top points scorer: Tyler Bleyendaal 102pts Top try scorer: Ronan O’Mahony 7

Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record:
Played 27, Blues won 11, Munster won 16.

At BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, 5.15pm. Live on Sky Sports
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 4th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Emanuele Tomo (FIR), Jon Hardy (WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)
TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU)