Macleod confident he can handle Blues hot-seat

Jan 7 2008 by Delme Parfitt, South Wales Echo

NICK Macleod has vowed to rise to the challenge of navigating Cardiff Blues to qualification from their Heineken Cup pool.

The young fly-half has been charged with the number 10 responsibilities, after a month out injured, because of injury to Nicky Robinson.

Macleod has struggled with his form and the whole Blues’ attacking threat has looked blunt over the Christmas period.

But with Harlequins due at the Arms Park on Friday night for the penultimate Heineken pool game and an away trip to Bristol beckoning the week after, the 24-year-old is confident he can deliver.

“It has been a difficult last few weeks for me coming straight back in at the deep end after more than a month out, but I feel that I’m sharpening up now,” said Macleod.

“The more time I get on the pitch, the more confident I feel and now it’s time to step up for two massive games.

“We need to have a huge week in training to put things right and sharpen up in attack.”

And Macleod says it’s up to the Blues to put recent Magners League failures – the latest being the 11-10 defeat to Edinburgh – to the back of their minds.

“It would have been nice to beat Edinburgh to get back on track, but there’s still a strong feeling in the squad that we can do well in the Heineken Cup,” he added.