AMLIN CHALLENGE CUP SEMI-FINAL
Venue: Adams Park, High Wycombe Date: Saturday, 1 May Kick-off: 1800 BST
Coverage: Live scores on BBC Sport website

Blues back-rower Andy Powell hobbles off in their derby win at the Dragons

Cardiff Blues face a possible injury crisis ahead of their Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final showdown against English giants London Wasps on Saturday.

Wales back-rower Andy Powell has ruled himself out after injuring a calf in their 20-14 win over Dragons on Friday.

British and Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts was forced off in the Rodney Parade victory with a knee problem.

Scrum-half Richie Rees (ankle) was also injured and he faces a race against time to be fit for the Wasps clash.

So Dai Young faces a potential scrum-half dilemma as the Blues coach is already without scrum-half Gareth Cooper, who is out of for the rest of their season as he needs surgery on a groin injury.

Wales centre Tom Shanklin and flanker Robin Sowden Taylor are already out for the Blues.

Wales and Lions prop Gethin Jenkins missed Friday's defeat of the Dragons with a foot injury as did experienced flanker Martyn Williams and form centre Casey Laulala - but Young hopes that key trio returns.

Powell, though, believes he will not feature in the Blues' European semi-final with two-time Heineken Cup winners Wasps - the first meeting between the two clubs - at Adams Park in High Wycombe.

"It was quite a bit of a pop," said Powell after he was forced off in the 35th minute at Rodney Parade on Friday.

"It is a bad pull and hopefully I'll be back in two weeks."

Powell, however, hopes to return for the Blues' final regular season Magners League game with defending champions Munster on the weekend of 8/9 May as Welsh region bid to win an end-of-season play-off place.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version