Tied on points in the RaboDirect PRO12 and with the added spice of a south Wales derby, Blues backs coach Gareth Baber knows the outcome of the Saturday’s visit from the Scarlets will have a telling effect on the remainder of both sides’ seasons. The Blues have won just one of their last three games in the PRO12, a 20-13 win over Treviso but Baber’s backline stocks are boosted by the Grand-Slam winning duo of wing Alex Cuthbert and centre Lloyd Williams. Lock James Down is also returning and starts his first game for the region since a fracture dislocation of his ankle sustained against Racing Metro in November. With other Welsh national team players waiting in the wings, Baber is looking forward to the competition for places having a positive effect on performance. "Now that we are entering the business end of the season the competition level rises and everybody is fighting for positions in the starting XV,” said Baber. "That is what you want as a coach; you want people competing and pushing each other hard. "Ultimately the players know, although they may not like it sometimes, that there can only be 15 people that can be on the field and we are picking the team that will get the victory. "The Scarlets have a good blend of youth and experience. "They work hard for each other, have a good work ethic and work hard around the field to create opportunities, so we know it's going to be a difficult match but we are ready for the challenge.” Scarlets’ have won just once away from home in the PRO12 this season – a 10-6 victory against the Newport-Gwent Dragons in December. Head coach Nigel Davies knows how important it is to improve that record on Saturday. "This is a key part of the season for us and all our players know and respect that and they're all keen to be involved and give everything to these crucial last five league games for us. "We know we need to win every contest now in the final run-in for top four places and there can be no bigger games that the two contests we have with the Blues away this weekend and then back with us at Parc y Scarlets on May 5th. "We are mindful of the intensity of the Six Nations and the players that have been in the national set-up now for the past 10 weeks and we will manage individual players in the best way possible.” After their Grand Slam exertions fly-half Rhys Priestland and wing George North are being rested but hooker Matthew Rees takes a place on the bench and Scottish international Sean Lamont starts on the wing. Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 82nd competition game) Assistant Referees: Neil Hennessy, JonMason (bothWRU) Citing Commissioner : Dennis Jones (WRU) TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU) Live on S4/C
