All Black Laulala back for Cardiff against Connacht

All Black Casey Laulala returns to the centre for Cardiff Blues against Connacht in the Magner's League tomorrow evening (7.05pm) at Cardiff City Stadium.

Scrum-half Gareth Cooper makes his first start of the season for the Blues because Richie Rees has not recovered from his calf strain.

In the forwards, Xavier Rush captains the side with Rhys Williams at hooker. T Rhys Thomas is rested having played all games so far this season. John Yapp starts at loosehead and will play this position for the next three weeks with some big Heineken Cup matches approaching.

CARDIFF BLUES (v Connacht):

15 Ben Blair 14 Leigh Halfpenny 13 Casey Laulala 12 Dafydd Hewitt 11 Chris Czekaj 10 Dan Parks 9 Gareth Cooper; 8 Xavier Rush (capt) 7 Sam Warburton 6 Michael Paterson 5 Deiniol Jones 4 Bradley Davies 3 Tafa'ao Filise 2 Rhys Williams 1 John Yapp.

Replacements:

16 Kristian Dacey 17 Gethin Jenkins 18 Scott Andrews 19 Paul Tito 20 Andries Pretorius 21 Kristian Baller 22 Ceri Sweeney 23 Tom Shanklin