Blues ready to drop 'bridesmaid tag'
Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:59
The Cardiff Blues start their Magners League campaign with a home clash against reigning champions Leinster this Saturday at Arms Park.
In accordance with tournament rules, the Cardiff Blues have registered and confirmed a 36-man squad with Celtic Rugby, which they may amend (pending approval) any time up until January 31.
Coach Dai Young feels the Blues are gunning for their biggest Magners League tests ahead of Saturday's visit of defending champions Leinster, and that his side are ready to cast off the bridesmaid tag.
"In the first week we face the last three champions, Leinster, Ospreys and Ulster," Young told BBC Sport Wales, whose side were second in the table in 2007 and 2008.
"It's the toughest start, Leinster did the deserved double on us last season. We know the challenge but are looking forward to it and will know where we stand after we've played them.
"It's great that we've been there fighting to the end for the last two years, but you get nothing for finishing second.
"We want to go one step further - that's a nice sort of pressure to have and it shows how far we've come over the last couple of years.
"This is the best squad that I've had to deal with over the last five seasons, we've improved every year since the Blues came into existence.
"You always look to strengthen but I'm happy with the squad, we can be hugely competitive with what we've got," he added.
Cardiff Blues squad: Ben Blair, Aled Brew, Chris Czekaj, Bradley Davies, Taufa'ao Filise, Rhys Gill, Dafydd Hewitt, Tom James, Gethin Jenkins, Ross Johnson, Deiniol Jones, Mark Lewis, Ma'ama Molitika, Scott Morgan, Richard Mustoe, Andy Powell, Gary Powell, Richie Rees, Jamie Roberts, Scott Roberts, Jamie Robinson, Nick Robinson, Xavier Rush, Tom Shanklin, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Jason Spice, Ceri Sweeney, Gareth Thomas, T.Rhys Thomas, Paul Tito, Ben
White, Gareth Williams, Martyn Williams, Rhys Williams, John Yapp.
Date: Saturday, September 6
Venue: Arms Park, Cardiff
Kick-off: 18.30 (17.30 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Macpherson (Scotland)
Touch judges: David Bodilly (Wales), Jon Mason (Wales)
Television match official: Tony Rowlands (Wales)
With thanks to cardiffblues.com
