David Young believes his side must take another step up in level if they are to match English pace setters Northampton Saints.
David Young believes his side must take another step up in level if they are to match English pace setters Northampton Saints.
Saturday 11 December, 2010
Northampton Saints v Cardiff Blues 17.45 Franklins Gardens
Cardiff Blues take on Northampton Saints on Saturday, three points adrift of the English giants, with the Blues having beating Edinburgh at home but going down on the road at Castres Olympique. They are well aware another reverse will leave the Saints well and truly in the group driving seat.
Speaking ahead of the match Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby David Young said,
“Northampton are flying and really setting the pace in England.”
“Both teams will go into these two games looking to get all the points they can. The team that can bag the most will put themselves in a strong position.”
“Obviously you have to win your home games, but that can be counterbalanced with a win away and loss at home, but if you get two wins you’re in a strong position.”
“Northampton are a class outfit and we will have to be at our best to get anything up there. They have two excellent coaches, a great set up, and are up there with the best in Europe.”
“They have a very strong scrum, which is a points machine for them, and they’ve taken their scrum to a high level.”
“We’ve really got to front up at scrum time but they’ve also got a very good driving lineout and a lot of physical players.”
“They have quality behind and if they get some space they finish it off. You don’t get the wins in the Premiership the way they have without being a quality side.”
“We beat them in the semi final of the EDF Cup a few seasons ago but they had their revenge when they stuffed us in a friendly match last season, so we are under no illusions of how difficult the match will be.”
“The double headers are the same for both of us, it doesn’t give you a lot of time to change things, but you may know each other a bit better by the second game.”
“We know where their strengths are but we have to go up there and play rugby and to win the game.”
“We’ve started to show glimpses of where we were at the end of last season, but I think we will have to step up again come Saturday.”