News

Martyn Williams ready to step it up a level

October 14 2008

Having kick-started their Heineken Cup campaign with a record 56-20 victory over Calvisano, Cardiff Blues now face a monumental challenge against Gloucester this coming weekend.

Sensing the magnitude of the occasion the Blues opted to switch the game from the Arms Park to the Millennium Stadium, and will now hope they can muster a performance to go with the setting.

Having surpassed their previous highest score, 48 points against Munster back in 1996, against Calvisano last weekend the Blues, and Martyn Williams, know this weekend poses a whole new challenge.

"This week will be the time to judge what we can do in Europe and when we will find out where we really stand," said Williams.

"At the moment we are still finding our feet but it will be our hardest game of the season so far and only then we will know what level we are playing at."

"Any tries and bonus points are very important in this competition. If you pick them up along the way it could make the difference when it all goes into the mix at the end of the group stage.

"And while we are still under no illusions about how tough a group this is we really could not have asked for a much better start, although at the end of the day the result in Calvisano is nothing more than a confidence boost and we know we have to go up a few levels to compete with Gloucester, one of the best sides in England.

Just as Gloucester captain Mike Tindall pointed out, Williams also stressed the need for the Blues to focus on their game and ensure they have everything in order.

That said he knows Gloucester will present a major challenge, especially given the pedigree of their team.

"We haven't looked at them too much yet but, as you look at the team sheets, it's very hard to find a weakness," Williams continued.

"But to play at the Millennium Stadium against a team with so many household names will be a fantastic occasion.

"It's going to be massive and that's the great thing about Europe. Yes, it will be a tough game for us but, if we concentrate on our own game and give our all, hopefully that will be enough.

"We are nowhere near our peak yet. We have shown glimpses and hopefully that is all building up to a really big performance next week.

"There's definitely still a lot more to come from us. You should never be satisfied with a performance and you always have to be looking to improve.

"This week will be a really big step up for us, something entirely different to Calvisano. But it's brilliant and that's the kind of game you want to be involved in.

One area Williams highlighted for special attention was defence, especially given that Gloucester have the ability to attack from anywhere on the park. Not to mention the fact they leaked twenty points in Italy, against a side who are seen as the whipping boys of the group.

"The big test will be in defence as Gloucester have so many attacking weapons that we really have to step up in that area," he said.

"That said, it (the Calvisano game) was a good result and, first and foremost, it was important for us to get a win out there so to score that many tries was just a huge bonus.

"It took us a while to grind them down. But we played some good stuff in the second half and it was just too much for them.

"It was a no-win situation because everyone expects you to get a result but the manner in which we did it was very pleasing.

"It was tough in the first half, especially being down to 14 men for 20 minutes of it. We held out though and then the boys showed how skilful we can be when the game opened up.

"There is still a lot for us to work on and we won't be resting on our laurels. But we have to be happy with that score."