(Photo: Getty Images)
By Jake Jones
Cardiff Blues head coach, Danny Wilson looks toward a ‘massive opportunity’ for the Welsh region at the Arms Park on Saturday against Pau.
On the back of an impressive bonus point win in Port Elizabeth against the Southern Kings, which sealed their participation in next season’s Champions Cup, the Cardiff region will be aiming to continue the momentum generated by that performance by making the most of home advantage and to come away with the result.
The Blues will be wary of the star studded French side and the attacking weapons they possess. However, as they are coming off a recent loss to Agen at home 33-22, will want to bounce back by progressing in Europe by coming away from the Welsh capital with a victory.
Cardiff Blues‘ head coach gave his thoughts on the enormity of the game;
“For us as a group, and for the region as a whole, it’s a massive opportunity to go and have a big day out in an European final, which we’re all extremely motivated by,” said Wilson.
“The opposition we’re facing is a very strong one but we’re at the Arms Park, hopefully a packed-out Arms Park, with a derby feel about it and those are the days and occasions that we want to be part of.’
“There will be a big atmosphere, a lot of nerves and both sides will be looking to bring the physicality that you need early on to set the tone. That physical battle will have a major part in who can get over the line and get the win.”
Cardiff Blues v Pau, Cardiff Arms Park (13:00)
Cardiff Blues
15 Anscombe, 14, Cuthbert, 13 Lee-Lo, 12 Halaholo, 11 Lane, 10 Evans, 9 T.Williams; 1 G.Jenkins (c), 2 Dacey, 3 Peikrishvilli, 4 Davies, 5 Turnbull, 6 Navidi, 7 E.Jenkins, 8 N.Williams
Replacements
16 Myhill, 17 Gill, 18 Andrews, 19 Welch, 20 Robinson, 21 L.Williams, 22 Smith, 23 Morgan
Pau
15 Malie, 14 Halai, 13 Smith, 12 Vatubua, 11 Votu 10 Taylor, 9 Daubagna (c); 1 Domingo, 2 Lespiauco, 3 Hamadache, 4 Ramsey, 5 Pierre, 6 Mowen, 7 Dougall, 8 Armitage
Replacements
16 Rey, 17 Calles, 18 Adriaanse, 19 Foley, 20 Butler, 21 Tomas, 22 Hastoy, 23 Fumat
