Max Llewellyn returns ahead of schedule for Cardiff when they take on Benetton Rugby in the United Rugby Championship clash at the Arms Park on Saturday (5.15pm).
The blockbusting 24-year-old had been touted for a Wales call before an ankle injury against Newcastle on December 17. The worst-case scenario facing him at the time was that he’d been out for 12 weeks.
But the tackle-busting centre is back within seven. Wales have players queuing up in midfield but with his speed, power and handling skills, the 6ft 5in, 16st 7lb Llewellyn is a player Warren Gatland is likely to want to monitor.
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It’s a big day, too, for Lloyd Williams as he goes where no player has previously gone for Cardiff in professional rugby.
The scrum-half makes his 256th Cardiff appearance, overtaking Taufa’ao Filise as the club’s most-capped player in the pay-for-play era.
It’s a wonderful achievement for a player who came through the Arms Park academy system and would probably bleed blue and black if you cut him open. Such a red-letter day for one of their most popular servants gives Cardiff extra incentive to perform well.
Director of rugby Dai Young said it was important the team marked Williams’ special day in winning fashion: “Not many players have the ability to break records like Lloyd and he should be really proud of this latest milestone as he passes Fa’ao.
“It is testament to not only his quality as a player but his professionalism in everything he does — he is a great example and role model for young players.”
Young continued: “It’s great to be back here at the Arms Park, and we are determined to get back to winning ways. The season is going to go right down to the wire and every game is of huge importance.
“We have been disappointed with our recent performances and need to get back to the levels of performance we saw earlier this season to turn things around.
“Despite missing the internationals, we have still been able to select a strong squad to get the job done but we will not underestimate our opposition. Benetton are a quality team, full of talent, and they taught us a harsh lesson at the end of last season so there is no lack of motivation.”
Cardiff Rugby: Ben Thomas, Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo, Max Llewellyn, Jason Harries, Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams, Corey Domachowski, Kristian Dacey, Dmitri Arhip, Lopeti Timani, Seb Davies, Josh Turnbull (CAPT), Ellis Jenkins, James Ratti
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Brad Thyer, Keiron Assiratti, Rory Thornton, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Ellis Bevan, Aled Summerhill, Matthew Morgan
Benetton: Rhyno Smith, Onisi Ratave, Marco Zanon, Filippo Drago, Mattia Bellini, Tomas Albornoz, Dewaldt Duvenage (CAPT), Nahuel Tetaz, Siua Maile, Tiziano Pasquali, Marco Lazzaroni, Riccardo Favretto, Giovanni Pettinelli, Alessandro Izekor, Henry Time-Stowers
Replacements: Bautista Bernasconi, Thomas Gallo, Filippo Alongi, Carl Wegner, Toa Halafihi, Alessandro Garbisi, Jacob Umaga, Joaquin Riera
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