Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby appreciates the threat from all three competitors in Pool 1.
Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby appreciates the threat from all three competitors in Pool 1.
With Cardiff Blues having being drawn in Pool 1 with Northampton Saints, Edinburgh and Castres, David Young knows that his team needs to be at full strength to get through to the knock out stages.
Speaking after the draw in Cardiff, Young said,
"From our point of view it could have been worse. If I'm being honest we could have had a tougher draw, but let's not underestimate it, there are no easy draws in the Heineken Cup."
"To get into the competition you have to be a quality team. We know a lot about Edinburgh having played them in the league over the seasons and know how difficult they are and how good they can be."
"Northampton, we've played quite a bit over the last couple of years and know how much they are improving season on season, so they will be a difficult challenge for us."
Reflecting on the threat from the French team Young said,
"Castres are a bit of an unknown entity for us. We haven't come across them over the last couple of years but it's always difficult to go to France and get a result."
"I believe there are four teams in our group that think they can win the pool, which adds a bit to the excitement. From our point of view, we've been rewarded with our performances over the last four seasons but we have to back it up this year."
"We're earned the tier one status but certainly teams will come to us to try to knock us down. However, we are a difficult team to beat and I'm a strong believer in our squad."
HEINEKEN CUP 2010/11 FIXTURES
ROUND 1 - 8/9/10 October, 2010
ROUND 2 - 15/16/17 October, 2010
ROUND 3 - 10/11/12 December, 2010
ROUND 4 - 17/18/19 December, 2010
ROUND 5 - 14/15/16 January, 2011
ROUND 6 - 21/22/23 January, 2011
QUARTER-FINALS - 8/9/10 April, 2011
SEMI-FINALS - 30 April/1 May, 2011
16thHEINEKEN CUP FINAL - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff - 21/22 May, 2011