Cardiff opener against Toulouse is set to go ahead despite missing players due to isolation
Cardiff Rugby are looking to get off to a good start against champions Toulouse in their Heineken Champions cup opener on Saturday.
The Blue and Blacks are set to field a mixed team of players to face the champions at the Cardiff Arms Park this weekend after regular players and staff are in quarantine.
42 players and staff are stuck in hotel quarantine in London and Cape Town following their trip to South Africa.
While the Scarlets called off their opening fixture against Bristol Bears, Cardiff are determined to play the fixture against the European champions.
The group of 32 players that are preparing for the game are Wales stars, other senior players, academy youngsters and semi-professionals.
With head coach Dai Young one of the 42 squad an staff in isolation in London, Cardiff academy manager Gruff Rees will step in to coach the team.
He said: "The last couple of weeks we have had the core group of players who were left behind.
"Then we added players to that last week to make 16-18, with a couple of fringe guys. Now, this week, we have gone out to 32.
“So this, for us, is a normal training week in terms of numbers."
Josh Adams, Tomos Williams, Ellis Jenkins, Dillion Lewis and Seb Davies are the only Wales stars available for selection as they did not travel to South Africa.
Rees is hoping that it will be a chance for youngsters to shine as well as learning from experienced players.
He added: "We want to seize the opportunity that goes with it. We can’t hide away from the fact that it could be a daunting task against the best in the business.
"But it can be one that actually can bring the best out of everyone, hopefully, we can have a great day for the club and to lift the gloom during what has been a tricky period.
“We will be looking to thrive off the support of the crowd. We really need that 16th man mentality to get behind us and get a bit of atmosphere.”
Those remaining in Quarantine in London will not be able to return to Wales until next week, but they could be returning to London for their second European fixture against Harlequins on the 18th December.
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