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We're working hard to build a consistent environment - Mulvihill

First Team News | 26th February 2020


John Mulvihill insists his side are working hard to build a consistent environment as Cardiff Blues prepare to take on Conference B leaders, Edinburgh, on Friday.

Wales’ Capital Region travel to BT Murrayfield on Friday following a bonus point victory over Benetton Rugby, which leaves them six points adrift of the end of season play-off spots.

The Blues will be targeting a fifth consecutive victory at the Scottish capital, and Mulvihill says consistency would lead to vital momentum as the business-end of the campaign approaches.

“We have five home games remaining this season so it would be good to win all of those, and we’ll also need to pick up a few wins on the road,” said the head coach.

“But you can’t look too far down the line, and after this week we’ll have another mini break before we start again.

“If we can make it two out of three wins from this block then that would be fantastic. We’ll be putting ourselves in this game to get something out of it. 

“Our big rocks are working hard, being consistent and looking after our family. Consistency isn’t just about our results and the way we play, but also how we front up for work every day and how we treat each other.

"It’s not as easy as flicking a switch. Everyone has to work together but we need a consistent run of games and a consistent run of wins. 

“If we go on to win three or four in a row, then that will give you momentum, and that’s what happened with this club for the last number of years.

“It’s still all to play for and I still think that we’re still in there with a chance.

“We’ve got good form on the road this year and that was something that we spoke about as a leadership group before the season started.

“We want to make sure that we pick up points when we’re away and we have won up in Edinburgh before as a group.

“Both teams are affected a bit by the internationals and we’ll have to put them under pressure and I’m sure we can do just that.”

Cardiff Blues bounced back from a 12-point half time deficit against Italian side Benetton last week, securing maximum points thanks to tries from Jason Harries, Ryan Edwards, Seb Davies, Lewis Jones and Garyn Smith.

Mulvihill believes the second half display puts his side in the correct mind frame ahead of Friday’s Guinness PRO14 clash, but insists he is fully aware of the threats posed by table toppers Edinburgh.

“It was definitely a game of two halves and we probably went away from the specific game plan we had for them during the first half.

“But we got back to contesting the ball in the second half and managed to turn it around.

“To score 27 point to five in the second half revival was a really good momentum builder going into Edinburgh this week.

"Edinburgh always have a big physical pack and look to contest their kicks. They also pride themselves on the pressure they build in the breakdown.

“They have some excellent outside backs and they are a pretty complete team. They’ve recruited really well and have some good foreigners when the international boys are away.

“They have an astute coach and will have a game plan to unsettle us this week but we’re very much looking forward to the challenge.”