Lomu to start for Blues at Calvisano

JONAH LOMU has been named in the Cardiff Blues starting lineup for Saturday’s Heineken European Cup clash against Calvisano.

The 30-year-old former New Zealand star signed for Cardiff earlier this season on a seven-month contract in an attempt to resurrect his career following illness and injury.

It had been thought he would feature on the replacements’ bench this weekend and then make a full Blues debut when Calvisano visit the Arms Park next Saturday.

But Lomu has done enough to impress Blues head coach David Young as they prepare for their Italian mission, and he will start in his familiar number 11 jersey.

Lomu has not played since injuring a shoulder during former England and Lions captain Martin Johnson’s testimonial match at Twickenham six months ago.

Cardiff also welcome back Lomu’s former All Blacks colleague Xavier Rush, who has recovered from a shoulder operation, while Wales and Lions prop Gethin Jenkins - sidelined since the summer due to shoulder trouble - begins his comeback as a replacement.

Lomu is hoping to resurrect a career which saw him become the sport’s biggest star at 19 when he was player of the tournament at the 1995 World Cup. The following year he was struck down by an illness that forced him to have a kidney transplant.

He made a comeback in England World Cup-winning captain Johnson’s testimonial in June but has been out since then.

Lomu, who scored 37 tries in 66 Tests, made his last international appearance for the All Blacks three years ago against Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. After his spell with Cardiff, he plans to return to New Zealand next year with a view to securing an NPC and Super 14 contract and ultimately playing once more for the All Blacks.