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Allen expects physical Edinburgh encounter

8th April 2014


Centre star Cory Allen admits Cardiff Blues can expect a 'tough and physical' encounter when they head north to face Edinburgh Rugby in the RaboDirect PRO12 on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Blues will travel to the unfamiliar surroundings of Meggetland to face the Scots with Murrayfield undergoing pitch works.

Allen acknowledges that the smaller venue will only generate a closer atmosphere and Blues face a stern test against an Edinburgh side who beat Ospreys at the venue earlier this season and defeated Dragons last time out.

But for Allen the game is another chance to push his claims for international selection this summer - and a potential place on the plane to South Africa with Wales - while firing Blues up the league table.

“It is a tight ground up in Edinburgh and the atmosphere will feel close,” said Allen,

“They (Edinburgh) have big threats and some big South African runners who are direct. It will be a tough and physical game.

“We don’t have specific goals for the rest of this season, but we want to win every game and the teams we are playing are all in and around us. We have got to look to win them all and we can push up the table as high as we can.

“It’s good to get back at the end of the season and playing again for Blues,” he added.

“I’ve got a few games to make an impression and it started well with victory over Ulster. It’s now a case of getting my match fitness and sharpness back and helping us climb the table and get some wins.

“My comeback game against Ospreys was hard because no matter how much training you do nothing compares to a game. But I felt more like it against Ulster and it was a great buzz to get the big win in our final home game – it is what you miss when you have been out for four months.”

“It’s been a frustrating time for me after picking up the shoulder injury four minutes from then end of my full Wales debut. It was probably the last tackle I was going to make in the game.

“But the operation has gone well, the medical team have looked after me here and my shoulder feels great now. I have had no issues, no pain in tackles, so it is looking good.

“I hope I have got enough time to get a place on the plane to South Africa with Wales this summer. I knew when I came back I had six games and it was about me and how I perform.”