Cardiff Blues coach confident underdogs can topple Toulon

CARDIFF Blues plan to make life uncomfortable for Toulon's galaxy of world stars in the Amlin Challenge Cup final tomorrow.

Jonny Wilkinson and company will aim to bounce back from their agonising extra-time defeat against French Championship play-off opponents Clermont Auvergne last weekend by landing a first European trophy under coach Philippe Saint-Andre.

The Blues, though, have other ideas, despite heading to the Stade Velodrome in Marseille as clear underdogs.

"Toulon certainly have the budget to buy most players they want," said Blues head coach David Young. "They have got world stars, but we are hoping we can get among them. We have some real quality players ourselves.

"I believe it is about us bringing our game and imposing ourselves.

"We are very respectful of them, and we know that if we give them the space and time they could carve us up. When you play against any French team you know it is always going to be a battle up front, and we have to make sure we improve on our scrum."

The Blues were one of three pool runners-up from this season's Heineken Cup to gain Challenge Cup quarter-final places. If they can topple Toulon, it would give fellow Welsh region the Scarlets a prized Heineken Cup spot next term, in addition to the Blues, Ospreys and Newport Gwent Dragons.

But Toulon will be tough nuts to crack, having won 11 of their last 12 games in all competitions and possessing a renowned match-winner in England star Wilkinson.

"We must try to win some silverware – it is important we finish off the advances we have made," said Saint-Andre. "Toulon are a club with a lot of great history, but they were down for a number of years and now it is good to be back as a force in the Top 14 (French Championship) and in Europe.

"We are pleased to have achieved what we have already done this season, but we know we are in for a very tough final against the Blues.

"They have top-class quality players everywhere, but a fabulous back three in particular and strong in the midfield with players like Jamie Roberts. They have a fantastic kicker in Ben Blair and one of the best loosehead props in the world in Gethin Jenkins."