Ton-up for determined Blues

Cardiff Blues will play their 100th Heineken Cup match when they clash with London Irish this weekend – but any celebrations will go on the backburner if they do not seal victory and move closer to the quarterfinals.

The Blues and Edinburgh are level on 13 points with Edinburgh topping Pool Two courtesy of a superior overall try count, but thanks to a losing bonus point at Murrayfield the Welsh club are 5-4 ahead in match points from their back-to-back meetings with the Scottish club in Rounds Three and Four.

“The nicest thing about going into our last two pool matches is that it is all about us,” said Blues forwards coach Justin Burnell.

“Because it is pretty straightforward that if we want to qualify for the quarter-finals then we need to beat both London Irish and then Racing Metro 92.

“So it all starts at the Madejski on Saturday and, whatever number Heineken Cup game it is for us, the focus on the day will be entirely on the big event – trying to get the ‘W’,” he added.

Burnell realises that beating the Exiles at the Madejski Stadium is no small task, and he is expecting them to bring plenty of passion to the encounter.

He said: “Both London Irish and Racing can have major impacts on our group and we are well aware that London Irish are a very good side. As well as that they will be at home so they will play with plenty of pride in front of their own fans.

“We did beat them 24-18 in our home match in Round Two but their red card certainly had a big bearing on things and, as is so often the case, we felt we played better against 15 than against 14.

“However, while we were pleased with that result we were disappointed with the Edinburgh game, though we did manage to come away from Murrayfield with at least a point.

“If it does come down to the two games between us then that point could be invaluable,” he pointed out.