Young warns players not to lose their focus

Jan 4 2008 by Delme Parfitt, South Wales Echo

CARDIFF Blues players will be told to forget about the Heineken Cup when they run out to tackle Edinburgh at the Arms Park tonight (7.10pm).

With the final two legs of their quest to qualify for the knockout stages of the European tournament for the first time next on the horizon, there’s the inevitable fear that the latest Magners League proposition will be seen as small beer.

But head coach Dai Young says there’s no question of that attitude creeping in tonight, with Harlequins due in Cardiff in a week’s time for the resumption of Heineken business, followed by a trip to Bristol for what could turn into a winner-takes-all encounter.

“We would be crazy to put all our eggs in one basket,” said Young, whose Blues side could go above leaders Leinster if they win tonight.

“Yes, we do have half an eye on those two games, but I think people need to remember we still have a lot to do in the Heineken Cup.

“Neither the Quins or Bristol will be easy by any means, in fact they will be tremendously difficult.

“Just because we have the Stade Francais win under our belts doesn’t entitle us to think it’s job done.

“So it is important that we focus on that task in hand against Edinburgh.

“We have made a good start in the Magners League, we’re still very well placed and we don’t want to undo the good work.”

Fourth-placed Edinburgh arrive in Cardiff with their usual gaggle of Scottish internationals, but it’s scrum-half Mike Blair who impresses Young most.

“He is one of the finest scrum-halves in the British game,” said Young.

“We will have to try to keep him shackled but it will require concentration and hard work.

“And I think that will be the case all around the field to be honest.

“Edinburgh are a dangerous side and that’s not the usual coach’s flannel.

“I think this game is going to be very close.”

And Young backed his injury stretched squad to deliver the goods in the coming few weeks.

“I don’t want to emphasise who isn’t here, I have faith in those stepping in,” he said.

“We are stretched in certain positions like fly-half, but we still have the ability to do well and come through games.

“Players are in this squad because they deserve to be and it’s about time some of them were given some credit.”

Scrum-half Jason Spice returns to the Blues side but fellow Kiwi Paul Tito is kept on the bench after recovering from his knee injury.

Jamie Robinson, Andy Powell and Tom James miss out due to illness.

Cardiff Blues: B Blair; J Roberts, T Shanklin, D Hewitt, G Thomas; N Macleod, J Spice; J Yapp, G Williams, G Powell; D Jones, S Morgan; M Molitika, R Sowden-Taylor, X Rush (c).

Replacements: T Filise, D Goodfield, P Tito, M Lewis, R Rees, R Jones, T Selley.

Edinburgh: B Cairns; A Turnbull, N De Luca, J Houston, S Webster; P Godman, M Blair; A Jacobsen, R Ford, G Kerr, M Mustchin, B Gissing, A Hogg (capt), R Rennie, D Callam.

Replacements: A Kelly, A Allori, C Hamilton, R Reid, B Meyer, D Blair, H Southwell.

gareth.griffiths@mediawales.co.uk