Yahoo Sports Cardiff name Thomas at fly-half against Connacht
European Challenge Cup: Cardiff v Connacht
Venue: The Arms Park, Cardiff Date: Friday, 17 January Kick off: 20:00 GMT
Coverage: Live audio and text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.
Ben Thomas will start at fly-half for Cardiff for the first time this season in their final Challenge Cup pool match against Connacht on Friday.
Thomas is normally a centre but has been named this week as one of Wales two fly-half options in the Six Nations squad by head coach Warren Gatland.
Uncapped 21-year-old Dan Edwards has also been selected with Sam Costelow injured and Gareth Anscombe dropped.
Thomas, 26, started for Wales at fly-half against Australia in two Tests in the summer of 2024 but reverted to centre for the three November defeats against Fiji, Australia and South Africa.
The 26-year-old has only started one game at 10 for Cardiff in the past two seasons but has covered the position during matches.
Thomas will also captain the side against Callum Sheedy is named on the bench against Connacht, while Tinus de Beer suffered ankle ligament damage in the defeat against Perpignan.
Head coach Matt Sherratt says he has no qualms about Thomas starting at 10 for Cardiff or Wales.
"He is capable of it and with Tinus missing, he always covers 10 for us and that will be the same this weekend," said Sherratt.
"We are lucky we have Ben, Rory Jennings and Callum who can cover 10.
"So Ben is capable of it, he showed that in the summer for Wales against Australia and the last game of the season for us against Ospreys for 25-30 minutes.
"You can see how we play, he stands at first receiver us a lot, so I don't think it's an issue at all."
Cardiff have a major injury crisis with 15 players unavailable for the Connacht match.
This includes Wales squad trio Taulupe Faletau, Josh Adams and James Botham alongside de Beer, Theo Cabango, Aled Davies, Corey Domachowski, Regan Grace, Mason Grady, Liam Belcher, Harri Millard, Iwan Stephens, Ben Donnell, Ed Byrne and Gwilym Bradley.
There are five changes to the side that lost to Perpignan with full-back Jacob Beetham making his second start of the season as he is preferred to Cameron Winnett.
Wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb and flanker Thomas Young are fit again, while scrum-half Ellis Bevan also starts.
Hooker Efan Daniel has recovered from a long-term injury and is named on the replacements bench.
Connacht have made four changes from the side that comprehensively beat Lyon.
Qualification aims
If Cardiff defeat Connacht they know they will finish in the top four of Pool One and qualify for the last 16 in April.
That will be the scenario whatever happens when Lyon host Cheetahs on Saturday and when Zebre entertain Perpignan the following day.
Connacht are already guaranteed to finish top of the pool having gained a maximum 15 points from three games so far.
So the Irish province have already booked a home knockout which Cardiff are hoping to emulate.
For that to happen, Sherratt's side need to finish second in their group or be one of the best two three-placed finishers from the overall three pools.
"We have been consistent in saying that we want a knockout game at the Arms Park and we have the opportunity to do that on Friday night," said Sherratt.
"That is our goal against a good Connacht team, who are well coached and have done very well so far in this competition.
"We have managed to pick up some points in France and now we have to back it up with a big performance. The boys are excited for the challenge ahead and determined to deliver a memorable night at the Arms Park.
"Our home support has been brilliant so far this season, they certainly give the players energy and can play a big role on Friday night."
Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins hopes a win can help his side achieve a home quarter-final and semi-final.
"To finish as one of the top two seeds would give us huge motivation for the rest of the competition, and I've no doubt we have the ability to get the result we need," said Wilkins.
"We're also conscious Cardiff are a very tough, physical side who are strong at home and have their own motivations to win, so it should be a great contest."
Cardiff: Jacob Beetham; Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Rey Lee-Lo, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen; Ben Thomas (capt), Ellis Bevan; Rhys Barratt, Evan Lloyd, Kieron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Thomas Young, Alun Lawrence.
Replacements: Efan Daniel, Danny Southworth, Rhys Litterick, Rory Thornton, Mackenzie Martin, Johan Mulder, Callum Sheedy, Cameron Winnett.
Connacht: Santiago Cordero; Chay Mullins, Piers O'Conor, Bundee Aki, Byron Ralston; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Josh Murphy, Joe Joyce, Cian Prendergast (capt), Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle.
Replacements: Eoin de Buitlear, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, David O'Connor, Sean Jansen, Matthew Devine, JJ Hanrahan, David Hawkshaw.
Referee: Morne Ferreira (SARU)
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron & Griffin Colby (SARU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
