Kyriacou hoping young Blues stars will shine

The Blues have had a slow start to the GUINNESS PRO12 season, recording just one victory in seven attempts, and suffered an agonising 28-24 loss to Munster last time out, thanks to Paddy Butler's last-gasp try.

But with a break from league action until November 23, and the likes of Alex Cuthbert, Gethin Jenkins and Cory Allen on international duty with Wales, Cardiff's youngsters will be given the opportunity to turn the tables.

First on the docket is a game against Newcastle Falcons on Friday night and almost two-thirds of the announced squad for that clash have come through the youth ranks at the club.

Players such as Wales U20 centre Garyn Smith, who was an unused substitute against Munster, are poised to thrive according to Kyriacou and the former hooker insists it will be fascinating to watch how the young talent meshes with the more established players.

"It's a huge opportunity for a number of players on the fringes and younger guys that our academy system has pinpointed as the future of the region," Kyriacou told the club's official website.

"A total of 16 of the match day 23 are a product of the Blues academy so that is really big positive in terms of the future and our home-grown players.

"The players who have played regular first team rugby in this first block have been given some time to recover, but we will have some senior pros involved too.

"The likes of Lou Reed, Ellis Jenkins, Tavis Knoyle and Rhys Williams will be involved. They have played a lot of PRO12 rugby over the years and are more than experienced enough to be put in this environment and cope with it.

"They will also be crucial for the younger guys, people like Garyn Smith who we are keen to see, so it will be good to see how they all gel together."

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