Rugby: Dai’s cup hope

Apr 3 2008 by David Williams, Rhymney Valley Express

DAI Flanagan has admitted Cardiff Blues’ Heineken Cup quarter-final would be the biggest game of his career, writes DAVID WILLIAMS.

The 22-year-old outside half from Cefn Hengoed will find out tomorrow if coach Dai Young has included him in the team ahead of the region’s trip to Toulouse on Sunday.

He faces competition to make the starting XV from Nicky Robinson – who replaced him after an hour of the Blues’ 20-0 win in Edinburgh last Friday – and Nick MacLeod, for the number 10 jersey.

“Hopefully I’ve done enough in the last two matches to get in the team,” said Flanagan, who is in the provisional 25-man squad.

“I’ve played as well as I can and I’ve put my hand up for selection so fingers crossed. It would definitely be the biggest game of my career so far, but it’s going to be tough out there.

“It’s my first year in the team and I’ve been playing well, so there’s no reason why I can’t do well on Sunday.”

The former Lewis School, Pengam, pupil played in the Blues’ 31-21 pool win over Stade Francais in December before breaking his hand.

But solid performances in his region’s last two Celtic League matches have given him every chance of getting the nod for the quarter-final.

Flanagan knows it will be a stern test for Young’s side, which should also feature former Rhymney and Abertysswg speedster Tom James, who returned to the line-up with two tries in Scotland.

“Toulouse have got a lot of international players and star names,” said Flanagan.

“But we’ve got star players of our own and there is no reason why we can’t go down there and play well.

“They have got a very strong pack of forwards who have dominated in Europe so we have got to front up and do the same.

“There is confidence in the squad but also a bit of fear, but we are playing well and it’s all starting to come together.”

On teammate James, Flanagan is in no doubt as to the 20-year-old’s importance to the side.

“Not many players have got it but Tom has that knack of scoring tries and we’ve missed him,” he added.

Toulouse have played around with their fly halves, with scrum half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde taking over the role in their last match.

But Flanagan has high hopes for the Blues given the squad’s experience.

“I can’t see why we can’t go all the way and win it,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of experience and the Welsh players who have returned from winning the Grand Slam has also brought a lot of confidence back with them and hopefully it has rubbed off on the rest of us.”