Shanklin urges Blues to grab big Euro prize

Jan 16 2008 by Phil Blanche, Western Mail

WALES centre Tom Shanklin admits the Blues dare not blow their “big” chance to join Europe’s elite.

The Blues have failed to reach the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup since regional rugby came to Wales five seasons ago.

But Dai Young’s men know they will end that long wait by winning at Bristol on Sunday and topping Pool 3.

“It would mean a lot for the Blues to get through,” said Shanklin.

“The Blues have not qualified for the quarter-finals since I have been here – the last time they did that was in 2000-01 – and, while we have had opportunities to qualify, none of those chances were quite as big or good as this.

“It really would be a great step forward for us if we can go through to the quarter-finals.”

The Blues saw off Bristol at the Arms Park in the first round of Heineken Cup fixtures back in November – but Shanklin expects them to be a different proposition at the Memorial Ground.

“We know it is going to be really tough on their home turf,” he said.

“They’ll be a bit tougher and more stubborn at home – and they have a big pack and rush defence.

“Bristol only narrowly lost by eight points over in Paris (to Stade Francais last Friday) and they have been playing some good rugby this season.

“But our win over Harlequins has teed it right up for us – it is in our own hands.

“It is certainly a situation we would have settled for at the start of the tournament.”

Shanklin grabbed a try in the 23-12 victory over the Quins at a sodden Arms Park last Friday and he believes the Blues have learned how to exercise control in games.

“We’ve had a few disappointing results recently, but we were by far the better team in that game. We deserved to win.

“It was obvious we were never going to get a lot of tries in those sort of conditions, but we controlled well.

“We showed more composure and we kicked the points when it mattered.

“We played a lot of rugby over the Christmas period, but with a quarter-final of the Heineken Cup at stake we have to make sure we prepare correctly.”

Harlequins flanker Paul Volley – a Heineken Cup winner with London Wasps in 2004 – believes the Pool 3 winners can go all the way to the final in Cardiff on May 24.

It is a three-way race for top spot with the Blues, Bristol and Stade still in the hunt for a quarter-final spot.

Stade travel to Harlequins on Sunday for their final fixture and Volley expects qualification to go right down to the last minute.

“This pool is wide open and it is going to be very close between the three teams still in there,” said the former England flanker.

“Obviously the match at the Memorial Ground is huge and, in all honesty, I cannot call it.

“Bristol will have home advantage, and the Memorial Ground is a hard environment.

“But the Blues are hugely committed and it is going to be a massive occasion. So why shouldn’t the eventual winner come from this pool?

“The Heineken Cup is all about getting through the pool stages and qualifying for the knockouts, that is the hardest part of the tournament.

“After that you are only two games away from the final and anything can happen.”