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Ben Blair ready for HEC heat

Tuesday 02nd December 2008

Calming Kiwi: Ben Blair has been key to the Blues' impressive HEC start

Cardiff Blues full-back Ben Blair believes the club's troubling league form will have no impact on their Heineken Cup charge.

The Blues are set to take on Biarritz at Arms Park on Friday as the competition for a place in the quarter-finals steps up another gear.

And with the return of international players such as Andy Powell and Tom Shanklin sure to strengthen their numbers, goal-kicker Blair is confident his side can maintain their perfect record in Europe, despite a 28-0 drubbing at the hands of Glasgow Warriors last weekend.

"We were outplayed but I don't think it will have much of a bearing on the Biarritz matches as we will be making so many changes - other than refocusing the boys on what we need to do over the next two weekends and preparing accordingly," said the former All Black number fifteen.

"We have made a really good start to this season's tournament because while two maximum points is as good as it gets, on top of that the win against Gloucester was probably one of our best performances for a number of years.

"The aim for us now has to be two from two against Biarritz which would put us in a good position when we have to go to Kingsholm in January. That said, top French sides are always dangerous and Biarritz went all the way to the 2006 Heineken Cup Final.

Biarritz have not made a good start to their season at all. They lost 32-13 at home to Stade Fran�ais at the weekend, there has been player unrest and coaching changes, and they stand some 19 points off the pace in France. Currently, they are not even in contention for a Heineken Cup spot.

"We have not really studied them in any great depth so far, we will be doing that this week, but we know a fair bit about their key players like Dimitri Yachvili, Jerome Thion and Damien Traille," said Blair.

"Naturally it will be great to have the international boys back with the club although it was a real shock to hear about the extent of Jamie's (Roberts) injury which is a great shame for him as things were going so well and we cannot afford injuries to our big players.

"However, we have been developing a few youngsters like Jamie and Leigh Halfpenny, who have really come through superbly, while Andy Powell has certainly taken his opportunity well in the absence of the injured Xavier Rush."