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Young excited as European knockout rugby arrives

First Team News | 27th March 2023


Dai Young is relishing the occasion as Cardiff take on Sale Sharks in the knockout stages of the European Challenge Cup next weekend. 

The Blue and Blacks host the English outfit at the Arms Park in the Round of 16, on Saturday (8pm), with a quarter-final against either Benetton Rugby or Connacht up for grabs.

Sale have enjoyed an impressive season in the Gallagher Premiership and are one of x teams to have dropped down to the Challenge Cup from the Heineken Champions Cup. 

Young expects a physical onslaught from the Sharks but he has challenged his side to match that intensity and create new history in a competition the club have won twice.

He said: “It’s a great occasion to be in the knockout stages of Europe again. We have a proud history in the Challenge Cup, we have won it twice so we would like to extend that history and do well in the competition. 

“We’re playing against a very good Sale team, we’ve seen how well they are playing, they are packed with size and power and it’s something we have to match. 

“If we can match that physicality, if we can control the mainline then hopefully we can play the game we want to play. First and foremost gain line efficiency is key on both sides of the ball and then it’s matching their physicality.”

Tickets for the mouthwatering encounter are available now and Young is hoping for another bumper crowd at the Arms Park.

He added: Home advantage is massive. Nobody enjoys coming to the Arms Park, everyone knows we’re difficult to beat there and I’m hoping we get a big crowd. 

“The crowd has been fantastic this year, really vocal, right behind us and the players will really look forward to that next week.” 

Cardiff take on Sale Sharks in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday, April 1 (8pm) with tickets available now. Call 029 20 302030 during normal office hours or click here to buy yours today!