Article & Journal Resources

Dec 13 2007 by Delme Parfitt, South Wales Echo

IT would be patronising to conclude that the stormy Paris conditions acted as a leveller in Cardiff Blues’ near miss against French giants Stade Francais last weekend.

Yet cynics of the Arms Park revival may still put the theory forward, especially as Stade also capitulated against Bristol in heavy wind and rain on the second weekend of this season’s tournament.

However, anyone who watches the Blues regularly will know that they are never more at home than when the conditions favour putting some air on the ball.

And head coach Dai Young confirmed that the hosts are hoping to have the sun on their backs on Saturday when the pool favourites visit the Arms Park for the pivotal return match – even though that’s just how the French like it too.

“The way we like playing is with the ball in our hands and at a high tempo,” said Young.

“In our last two matches at Bath and in Paris, the weather has forced us to change approach and I think we have shown we can play it both ways.

“We’ll stand toe-to-toe with any team no matter what the conditions.

“But we want to play a fast and mobile game.

“Stade Francais have players who are fast and skilful and will want to do the same.

“That’s fine by us.

“There was some surprise that we ran Stade close out there, but we were the only ones who weren’t surprised.

“We were confident we could do a job and it is good that we have taken something from both our away games so far.

“That said, there’s no question of us rejoicing in defeat.

“All we did was answer a few questions about what we can do.

“Maybe we would have accepted a losing bonus point beforehand but after the game there were mixed emotions because we had a strong feeling that we should have won it.”

Saturday’s clash with the French has been dubbed as D-Day by the Stade management, who are clearly viewing it in the same way as the Blues – a must-win affair.

The hosts will go into it without fly-half Nicky Robinson who was due to have scans today to discover the extent of the thigh injury he aggravated on Sunday.

Youngster Dai Flanagan takes his place at number 10, and Young has no qualms about the former Ponty player whatsoever.

“Is it the biggest game of his career? We seem to be saying that every time he plays,” said Young. “But in fairness he has been with us 12 to 18 months now and he has enough experience to handle this.

“I just want him to go out there, do his best and enjoy himself.

“We are certainly confident he can do the business.

“Dai’s not let us down yet and I don’t feel there’s any reason for us to worry about him.”

Cardiff Blues (v Stade Francais, h): B Blair; J Roberts, T Shanklin, G Thomas, T James; D Flanagan, J Spice; G Jenkins, G Williams, T Filise; D Jones, P Tito; M Molitika, R Sowden-Taylor, X Rush (c). Reps: J Yapp, R Thomas, S Morgan, A Powell, M Williams, R Rees, J Robinson.

delme.parfitt@mediawales.co.uk