Josh Turnbull has called on Cardiff Blues to make home advantage count when they face London Irish in the first part of a crunch double-header in the European Rugby Challenge Cup this Saturday at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park (kick-off 3.15pm).
Cardiff Blues have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the European campaign with victories over Grenoble and Femi-CZ VEA Rovigo.
But that 100percent record is matched by the Exiles who are currently top of Pool 1 going into Saturday’s big clash.
And Turnbull knows Blues must now look to rise to the challenge on home soil and backed by a partisan crowd look to record a crucial European victory.
“We are home this weekend and we need to make home advantage count,” he said.
“It will be a tough away trip next weekend, but we cross that bridge when we have too. At the moment we are looking forward to this weekend and maintaining that 100percent record.
“We have done well in the first two games and we want to maintain that. Obviously it is Europe so the standard goes up; you don’t get to play these teams every week.
“Everyone is fighting tooth and nail for everything, that’s what these European games are about.”
Blues last faced London Irish in Europe in January 2012 when they emerged victorious 22-15 at the Madejski Stadium. Blues also won the fixture between the teams 24-18 in November 2011 at Cardiff City Stadium.
However, Turnbull knows the Exiles are a much changed and dangerous team now adding: “They have a good forward pack, drive a lot of lineouts, scrummage well and they are switched on.
“You have to respect that and they have some backs that can play too. But we have an excellent squad too and we are looking forward to this game.”
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