“The Edinburgh game was just the performance we needed going into a big week. We were all disappointed after the Scarlets match. I’m not taking anything away from them, but with four or five key players coming back into the team for Edinburgh it showed what a difference they can make.”

“I thought it was a complete and professional performance; the only downside is we didn’t get the bonus point which we should have got, but that’s probably being a bit picky.”

“With the Grand Slam players, Paul Tito and Tom James all returning it shows what a big part they play in the team. Take five or six players of that quality out they are hard to replace.”

Three times Heineken Cup champions Toulouse also notched up a 12-6 win against Biarritz over the weekend and the Blues know they have to be at their best to get a win in the south of France.

“It will be a massive hurdle for us this week but one we are all looking forward to. We are certainly going up in standard of who we are playing against. Toulouse haven’t got their standing in the Heineken Cup by chance, they’ve earned it.”

“They are always in the top four or five in Europe and have a galaxy of world stars. We know that on any given day they can put teams to the sword.”

“We are very respectful of what they can do, but are concentrating on ourselves. We’ve got to go out there and not sit back and not try to lose the game. We’ve got to go out there and try to win it by taking the game to them.”

“They have a strong pack if they want to keep it tight but certainly have got flair when they move the ball about. I think it suites us better to move the ball as that is the style we like to play. “

“We’ve got to go over there and throw caution to the wind and try to express ourselves. We need a little bit of luck as every team does, but it’s a challenge we are running towards not away from.”

Over a thousand Cardiff Blues supporters will be travelling to the south of France to watch the match. The Supporters’ Club have been busy organising events for all the fans and there is sure to be a great atmosphere in the city.

 

 

On Saturday from 9pm there will be a special Karaoke Night at De Danú Irish Bar, which is partly owned by former Ireland and Toulouse star Trevor Brennan. There will also be an official supporters photo shoot on Sunday at 12.30pm at The Capitole, which marks the very heart of the city and houses the town hall and the Theâtre du Capitole.

Speaking ahead of the match Gareth Thomas, the Cardiff Blues utility back said,

"It will be great to back to Toulouse - especially the time of the year we go there."

"It's a massive challenge for us, but we are in the quarter-finals of Europe and we are there because we deserve it. I'm sure if we play to our potential we'll be a match them on their own patch."

"We have played well in every away game so far in Europe but I think Toulouse will be a different animal to Bristol, Harlequins and Stade, I don't think we can look at those teams and think this is what we are going to get in the quarter-finals.”

“Having played in Toulouse, I'm sure there will be an atmosphere that some of the players haven't experienced before and we can't think of it as a daunting prospect but as a motivator.”

"Toulouse are an all round team but I think you have to stop their offload game. They are told to offload the ball and try to play a wide expansive game, but they have also got the players who if they need to keep it tight can do that. The challenge for us is to try to stop a team that over the last five years have been one of the best, if not the best team in Europe."

"I think the quarter finals are not an easy stage to get to, in the pool stages you play home and away against some quality teams and everyone gets there on merit. I feel we are going to the most daunting place but that needs to be mixed with excitement.”

"Toulouse are probably one of the favourites to reach the final but we need to go there and do a job. If we do get the result people will stand up and take notice, some people are probably surprised that we have got through to the final eight. “

"Winning the Heineken Cup can also be a bit about the luck of the draw, but going away and getting a result is the sign of true champions."