Reigning champions Connacht travel to Cardiff Blues on Sunday afternoon (13:05 GMT) as both sides look to move closer to a European Rugby Champions Cup qualifying spot as the Guinness PRO12 returns.

What’s at stake?

The Blues have faltered in recent weeks after starting the season well, their 29-15 loss to Glasgow Warriors in round 13 the fourth in their last five games. They currently find themselves in seventh place in the PRO12 table, six points behind Ulster.

Connacht are one place and a further six points below Cardiff and will hope this trip to Wales is more successful than their last as they lost 29-7 at Ospreys in the previous round.

Team news (Cardiff Blues)

Gareth Anscombe, returning from injury, is one of 14 changes to the Cardiff Blues side that lost 38-53 to Worcester Warriors in the Anglo-Welsh Cup last week, the fly-half lining up alongside captain Lloyd Williams.

Only inside centre Steve Shingler retains his place from last weekend and will partner Rey Lee-Lo in the midfield, with Matthew Morgan, Rhun Williams and Blaine Scully making up the back three.

Following his release from Wales’ RBS 6 Nations squad, hooker Kristian Dacey starts with Rhys Gill and Anton Peikrishvili either side of him, while prop Scott Andrews returns on the bench.

Jarrad Hoeata and James Down are the second-rowers with Macauley Cook, Josh Navidi and Nick Williams completing a formidable pack.

Team news (Connacht)

Winger Niyi Adeolokun will make his 50th Connacht after being named as one of five players to retain their place in the starting XV following last weekend’s Anglo-Welsh Cup thrashing by Glasgow Warriors.

He is joined in the back three by Matt Healy, who also started last week, and Tiernan O’Halloran with Stacey Ili and Craig Ronaldson in the midfield and John Cooney replacing Caolin Blade as Jack Carty’s halfback partner.

In the pack Denis Buckley and Tom McCartney, who also started last week, are joined by JP Cooney in the front three with Quinn Roux and James Cannon lining up behind them.

John Muldoon, nearing his 300th appearance for Connacht, captains the side and is joined by Sean O’Brien and Jake Heenan in the back row.

Talking points:

Anscombe will play his first game since picking up a groin issue two months ago and is keen to put himself back in with a chance of playing for Wales again.

“It’s tough when you think you are good enough to play at that Test level, but I just haven’t had enough games,” the 25-year-old said.

“There are a couple of guys there that have been playing well for a while now and deserve to be where they are, so Wales are in a lucky situation there.

“If I play well for the Blues and they start winning, hopefully people recognise you again.”

Key battle: Hooker Kristian Dacey will be keen to show Wales were wrong to not pick him for their game against England and will look to win what promises to be a fascinating duel with opposite number Tom McCartney.

Key stat: Cardiff Blues have only lost to the Irish province once in the Welsh capital, a 26-22 victory back in 2013 ending their chances of a play-off spot that season.

Did you know? Connacht have only achieved one victory away from home in any competition this season, beating Zebre 52-7 in Italy back in October.
Cardiff Blues: 15. Matthew Morgan, 14. Blaine Scully, 13. Rey Lee-Lo, 12. Steve Shingler, 11. Rhun Williams, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 9. Lloyd Williams (capt), 1. Rhys Gill, 2. Kristian Dacey, 3. Anton Peikrishvili, 4. Jarrad Hoeata, 5. James Down, 6. Macauley Cook, 7. Josh Navidi, 8. Nick Williams

Replacements: 16. Matthew Rees, 17. Marc Thomas, 18. Scott Andrews, 19. Seb Davies, 20. Sion Bennett, 21. Tomos Williams, 22. Willis Halaholo, 23. Tom James

Connacht: 15. Tiernan O’Hallornan, 14. Niyi Adeolokun, 13. Stacey Ili, 12. Craig Ronaldson, 11. Matt Healy, 10. Jack Carty, 9. John Cooney, 1. Denis Buckley, 2. Tom McCartney, 3. JP Cooney, 4. Quinn Roux, 5. James Cannon, 6. Sean O’Brien, 7. Jake Heenan, 8. John Muldoon (capt)

Replacements: 16. Dave Heffernan, 17. Ronan Loughney, 18. John Andress, 19. Naulia Dawai, 20. Nepia Fox-Matamua, 21. Caolin Blade, 22. Tom Farrell, 23. Danie Poolman

Cardiff Blues:

Top points scorer: 84 – Steve Shingler

Top try scorer: 6 – Tom James

Zebre:

Top points scorer: 66 – Jack Carty

Top try scorer: 4 – Niyi Adeolokun

Overall Guinness PRO12 head to head record:
Played 27, Blues won 20, Connacht won 5 with 2 games drawn.

At BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, 1.05pm Live on S4C
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 61st competition game)
Assistant Referees: Elia Rizzo (FIR), Aled Evans (WRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Charles (WRU)
TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)