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Jenkins challenges Cardiff Blues to unleash frustrations on Glasgow

5th January 2017


Ellis Jenkins has called on Cardiff Blues to unleash their frustrations against Glasgow Warriors, following a derby defeat at Parc y Scarlets on New Year's Day.

Cardiff Blues will travel to Scotland on Saturday, to face Gregor Townsend’s men, hoping to close the five-point gap on the top six in the championship table.
 
Jenkins believes his side created enough chances to win the game against Scarlets, but need to be more clinical if they are to hit their target of a top six finish.
 
“It was frustrating. We felt that we created enough chances to win the game. We had 10 line-breaks and scored one try, which is criminal at this level,” said the Welsh international.
 
“You’re going to get limited chances to score and if you don’t take them, a side as good as the Scarlets are going to punish you.
 
“It’s all about the small margins. We’ve spoken a lot this week about being more clinical. Unfortunately it was the same out in Connacht, at home to Leinster. The best teams get to the twenty-two and come away with points.
 
“That’s where we need to build ourselves. We are creating the chances, which is encouraging, but ultimately if you don’t convert those chances you’re going to struggle.”
 

Glasgow Warriors will go into the clash on the back of a four game winning streak, including a double scalp over French champions Racing 92 in the European Champions Cup.
 
Jenkins insists his side must be on their best at the Scotstoun, as he expects a strong Glasgow side seeking revenge for the 23-19 defeat earlier in the season at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.
 
Jenkins continued: “Our challenge is to go up to Glasgow and make it as tough for them as we can. They play on the same pitch as us so that’s something we’ll be used to and it will be about playing our game and not playing into their hands.
 
“We have to focus on ourselves, make sure we get ourselves right, mentally and physically.
 
“It was well documented last season that we didn’t travel well, but we’ve improved on that a little bit this year, but they’ll want revenge from the fixture earlier in the season, so hopefully it will be a good game on Saturday.
 
“It’s another opportunity to go up against a team that’s near us in the table and climb our way back up.
 
“Glasgow play an expansive game of rugby, and we took that away from them very well at home. Our challenge will be to do that again a not play the game they want to play.
 
“The same as any other game really, the team who wins the breakdown and physicality battle nine times out of ten win the game.”