It’s momentous clash for Blues – Edwards

Jan 19 2008 Western Mail

GARETH EDWARDS last night claimed the Blues are facing the biggest game in their recent history as they step out for a “winner-takes-all” clash with Bristol.

David Young’s men travel to the Memorial Ground tomorrow knowing that victory will guarantee their first Heineken Cup quarter-final in seven years.

The game is sure to be a pivotal moment in the Blues season. And former Cardiff and Wales legend Edwards is well aware of what victory would mean for the region and Welsh rugby in general.

“It’s definitely one of the biggest games they have had in a long time,” he said. “It’s a momentous weekend.

“We shouldn’t be too philosophical at times like this. Come the final whistle, nobody wants to talk about ‘what ifs’ because at the end of the day the result really is all that matters.

“We can look back and talk about how well they have done already. But this game brings it all to a head and the boys know they have a job to do.

“The players will just want to perform at the best of their ability. If they can do that, no-one can point the finger of blame.”

He continued, “This, in many ways, is the be all and end all in this group. It has much more of a cup feel to it because the winner takes all.

“It will be a great boost if the Blues, and the Ospreys for that matter, qualify. It will be nice to see two Welsh teams in the quarter-finals.”

The Blues have always known they might have to travel to Bristol needing a victory to qualify. And, while they may still go through even if they lose with a bonus point, Edwards, like everyone else at the region, would prefer Young’s men took charge of their own destiny.

But Bristol are notoriously difficult to beat on their home turf and they present a sizeable challenge for Young’s men. And, while he may be confident, Edwards knows the result is not a foregone conclusion.

“The fact they are going into the final match with their destiny in their own hands, is a brilliant achievement in itself,” he claimed. “It’s the all they could have hoped for really.

“It’s certainly a huge step forward. Especially when you look at the teams they have been drawn against.

“But they haven’t got to the quarter-finals yet. And we all know there have been terrible disappointments along the way in the past.

“You just can’t pre-empt which way these games will go. There are no easy wins in this competition.”

He added, “The boys know only the very best performance will do because Bristol are an extremely powerful and experienced team.

“And then they have the extra motivation of having only just come back to the top table of European rugby after several years in the wilderness.

“So everyone knows it won’t be an easy game. It will require their best performance of the season and anything other than that will be a disappointment.”

That said, Edwards believes the Blues have nothing to fear tomorrow, irrespective of how good Bristol are at the Memorial Ground.

Like many pundits, he has been impressed with the region’s European performances this season, displays he claims are a clear indication of the progress being made under Young.

Edwards feels the Blues have much greater strength in depth this season. And, with the help of some extra experience from their Kiwi imports, he is confident they can go a step further.

“They have shown that, on their day, they can compete with the best,” he said. “What is vitally important for the Blues is that they produce that kind of performance on Sunday.

“It won’t be easy, but they can go there with confidence, knowing full well that, if they play as well as they have on certain occasions this season, they can get the result they want.”

He continued, “We have come close to qualifying on one or two occasions in recent years. But we haven’t had the strength in depth to have a serious chance.

“This season is different though. And I think there have been several occasions in recent months when the Blues have shown they do have enough strength in depth. And now they have added the experience of some battle-hardened All Blacks, who have been down this road so many times before in the Super 14s. They know how to win these crunch games.”

As for their opponents, considering this is only their second Heineken Cup campaign, it’s not surprising Bristol don’t spring to mind as one of European rugby’s glamour clubs.

But they have been transformed under Richard Hill in recent seasons. And, like the Blues, impressive home wins over Stade Francais and Harlequins have left them with a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Furthermore, while some may struggle to do so, Edwards has little trouble associating tomorrow’s hosts with top-class rugby. When he was playing, they were one of the best clubs around.

He used to revel in the fierce rivalry Cardiff and Bristol enjoyed back then. And, even though the game of rugby may have changed since then, Edwards has little doubt the added motivation of an Anglo-Welsh clash still exists.

He has fond memories of trips to the Memorial Ground and knows full well how intimidating an atmosphere can be created there. That is something he doesn’t expect to have changed over the years .He added, “I have huge respect for Bristol,” he explained. “It was one of the premier fixtures in my early days as a player. A Bristol v Cardiff game was a hell of a big fixture. The prestige of beating the team across the water was huge.

“There’s a great tradition between the two clubs, even if the game has changed dramatically since I played. And, of course, it’s got the added spice of being an Anglo-Welsh clash.

“Going to the Memorial Ground was certainly a difficult experience. It always had a pressure-cooker type atmosphere and that is surely going to be exactly the same on Sunday.”

In terms of the game itself, with the Blues’ recent injury crisis seemingly behind him, Young has been able to name a strong team for the clash.

Martyn Williams, fresh from his recall to the Wales squad, keeps his place on the flank, while Jamie Robinson returns to the first XV, albeit as a winger.

That allows Gareth Thomas to link up with Tom Shanklin in the centres, giving a clear indication of the power and brute force needed to overcome Bristol.

If they do succeed, who knows where the Blues’ Heineken Cup renaissance may end.