Gatland: A Blues win will help Wales
Wed, 19 May 2010 12:44
Wales coach Warren Gatland believes that by lifting the Amlin Challenge Cup, the Blues can help his preparations with the Test side.
Should the Blues defeat Toulon in Marseilles on Friday, they will be the first Welsh side to lift a European trophy, and Gatland has tipped them to do just that.
Gatland has named nine Blues players in his Test squad to take on South Africa and New Zealand during the mid-year international schedule.
"It would be huge for everyone [if the Blues can win the title], not just for this season but next," Gatland told the South Wales Echo.
Gatland believes that a victory for the Blues will add a lot of belief to all the Welsh sides competing in next year's Heineken Cup and aid them in launching an assault on the much converted Heineken Cup title.
A victory for the Blues would also open up a place in the Heineken cup for the Scarlets next season, via the back door, while Gloucester will be given the final place should Toulon win.
The Ospreys have also reached the final of the Magners League, where they will take on defending champions, Leinster, and Gatland has dared to dream of a Welsh double, and what a positive impact that would have on the moral of the national team.
"It would be great for the Ospreys to win that and for the Blues players coming into camp with confidence as well," Gatland said.
"When the regional teams do well and the players come in with some confidence, it’s a heck of a lot easier for us just to gel things.
"It’s harder for us if they come into camp without a huge amount of self-belief and confidence and have to build them up."
The major concern for Gatland regarding his Test line-up is the absence of utility back James Hook, who will have an operation on his shoulder during the mid-year break.
"Probably, for us, James [Hook] is the biggest loss," Gatland explained. "He can play in midfield but he can cover No.10 and fullback.
"It’s not the versatility he gives us but because of how well he’s playing at the moment.
"We feel that in other positions we have got cover."
The Wales coach also praise the performances of 20-year-old flyhalf Dan Biggar, during Ospreys' Magners League semifinal victory of the Glasgow Warriors.
"I thought he [Biggar] played well. The Ospreys were too strong up front and he really controlled the game," he said.
"His game was good, the variation in it has come on.
"He’s had a few ups and downs during the season but it was just pleasing to see the way he has come back.
"I think it’s good for him, good for the Ospreys and good for Welsh rugby going forward he can take his disappointments.
"He is very determined and very ambitious about his rugby future."
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