Blues Preview

By Lestyn - 01/09/03
September 1 2003

The Blues will be hoping to move away from the Cardiff RFC of last season and actually perform when it matters in big games. Can they stem the tide and actually put together some good tight five play, or simply allow the opposition to run all over them up front?

Up front Dai Young acted quickly in the Summer, to snap up two of his former Wales colleagues Andy Moore and Craig Quinnell in an attempt to try and beef up weak second row area. Neither have really shown any significant form in the last two seasons so it would appear old habits die hard at the Arms Park. Ben Evans has hardly done anything of any note in the last year either, Young really is investing a lot of hope in this trio, perhaps a little too much.

Prop wise John Yapp does have the potential to become something special, but is simply just too raw at the moment to hold down a starting spot. With Ken Fourie going down hill rapidly, new signing from Bristol Darren Crompton will have to be something special to make up for the rest.

Senekal and Brownrigg should be there or there about's during the course of the season either in the second or back row.

Since John Humphries left the Arms Park two seasons ago Cardiff have struggled to find a find the all round hooker their looking for that Andrew Lewis has failed to live up to, Warriors reject Gareth Williams could and should be the answer if looked after properly, he'll certainly add some much needed athleticism at least. Cardiff fans are desperate for Andy Lewis to move back to prop, but ALP seems to have his heart set on the number two shirt.

In contrast to the fragility of the front five the Blues have an embarrassment of riches in the back row. The prospects of blind side Dan McShane and open side flanker Robin Sowden Taylor will only be understudies a fragile Dan Baugh and influential skipper Martyn Williams. Williams got through an enormous amount of work last season, that probably stopped his side from being embarrassed more than they actually were. Nathan Thomas could be the talisman at eight their looking for, but McShane will be weighting in the wings if he loses form.

The Backline looks as exciting as ever, with another promising Youngster Johnny Vaughton likely to replace aging Walne out on the right wing. Young's only dilemma is at inside centre role, Muller offers grunt, Shanklin flair and Nicky Robinson a creative spark. The conditions could influence who gets the nod.

Likely Starting XV-

15.R Williams, 14.Vaughton, 13. J Robinson, 12.Shanklin, 11.Morgan, 10.Harris, 9.Powell, 8.Thomas, 7.M Williams, 6.Baugh, 5.Quinnell, 4.Moore, 3.Evans, 2.G Williams, 1.Crompton

Verdict - Whether or not this season is a success comes down to whether or not Dai Young can motivate his big guns up front, and if he doesn't have to wrap his backline up in cotton wool for too long. But I don't think they're mentally tough enough to hold out against better opposition in defence or strong enough in scrums. verdict

During the World cup - Will struggle without their captain in Martyn Williams and will be possibly a little too one one dimensional in the backs.

Prediction - bottom quarter, not bottom but down there for most of the season.