News

Lamb out to heap more pain on the Blues

October 16 2008

Ryan Lamb, Gloucester's inconsistent fly-half, has backed the west country side to inflict Millennium Stadium misery on the Cardiff Blues this weekend.

Lamb, who has fluctuated between wonderful and abysmal this season, is full of confidence heading into Sunday's Pool Six showdown, knowing it will be pivotal in the final shake-up.

Gloucester kicked their campaign off with a hard-fought victory over Biarritz, but know it will mean nothing if they fail to back it up with another strong display this weekend.

"I think it will be a massive occasion," declared Lamb to The Western Mail.

"I think the Blues have got a more committed defence than Biarritz, they come up quite quickly."

That said Lamb is confident he, and the other creative players in Gloucester's side, can break down the Blues defence.

"If we can get some go-forward, I think we can find a few holes and expose them a bit more," he continued.

"Hopefully, you will see a bit more running at the weekend, if we get the ball a bit more, in the right areas and at the right time.

"I don't think it's a must-win game but it's a crucial match in determining the outcome of the group."

Despite a high level of confidence Lamb is well aware of the calibre of players available to Dai young's Cardiff Blues side.

"We have watched them and they have got some great players, they have got internationals all over their team," Lamb continued.

"It's going to be tough, a game of 80 minutes, not one where there's a 20-point win.

"It's going to be tight, but we have got to stick to our game-plan. If we do, I'm sure we will come away with the win."

With the game being played in the Millennium Stadium a bumper 30,000 crowd is expected at the game, although Gloucester Head Coach Dean Ryan believes his side will have their fair share of support.

But, even though his side are away from home, he thinks the pressure will be on the Blues to perform and get a win in their own backyard.

"The pressure is always on the home side in Europe because of how tight groups can be," Ryan said.

"If you lose at home it's a mountain to climb. It's a pivotal game for us in the pool - if we can get something out of it."

With Xavier Rush ruled out through injury Ryan knows the Blues will be without one of the most pivotal players in their squad.

"He has been fundamental, both physically and driving things. His absence will be felt," Ryan went on.

"From the outside, you can clearly see Rush has been a talisman figure. He certainly added an edge to them they probably have not had."

A loss on Sunday would bring back painful memories of last season's exit at the hands of the Ospreys, although Ryan knows the sides are very different and present their own unique challenges.

"Their game is built differently to the Ospreys, who build around broken play, and the strengths of James Hook and Shane Williams," he said.

"The Blues are more physical, more similar to what we are used to. Their game is more suited to the Premiership.

"They have got some heavyweight forwards and backs, with two or three creative guys.

"They are very, very physical with some exciting backs who can offer threats from all areas."