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Young looks forward to taking on the Champions

3rd September 2008


Cardiff Blues entertain the current Magners League champions on the first game of the new season for a second successive year: twelve months ago Ospreys visited the Arms Park and were sent packing 17-15.

The Blues concluded last season with five successive Magners League victories, whilst another win would tie the Cardiff Blues record for consecutive league victories, set in 2005/06.

Defending Magners League champions Leinster ended last season with back-to-back away defeats, but won 30 - 19 the last time they visited the Arms Park.

“The two wins in our friendly matches included some good tries so we can start our season with a bit of confidence, which is what we need going into massive games against Leinster, the Ospreys and Ulster,” said Young.

<P>“It has been a difficult two weeks trying to give people as much game time as possible because we have three games in a week, which isn’t great planning, but we’ve just got to get on with it. It doesn’t matter how much training we do, or warm up games we play, the players are always going to be blowing in the first few matches and feel the knocks that little bit more. We will really need the squad at the start of the campaign and that is why we decided to give as many players as possible a run out in the warm up fixtures.”

<P>“Our opponents on Saturday won the Magners League last season and were deserved winners, who did the double over us. They certainly haven’t rested on their laurels. They’ve gone out and recruited and I’m sure they’ll be looking to retain their title.”

<P>“I’ve said previously this is the best squad I’ve ever had but Saturday’s match will still be a massive challenge for us. It will be interesting to see how much Leinster have improved and to find out over the season if there are better squads out there than ours. I’m confident in our squad, and have huge belief in them, but at the end of the day it’s up to the players to go out there and demonstrate that themselves.”

<P>Tickets for the match are available to purchase from the ticket office by calling 029 2030 2030 or online at www.cardiffblues.com

<P>Junior Terrace: £4
Junior Stand: £5
Adult Family Stand: £16
Adult Terrace: £16
Adult Stand: £20