Adam Jones has signed for the Cardiff Blues. As signals of intent go, this is a pretty good one from the hierarchy. The Blues mean business.
The prospect is a surreal one for Blues fans. No more will the scrum be in constant retreat. The white flag can be taken down; the Blues really do mean business. Gethin Jenkins, Mathew Rees and Adam Jones make up a former Lion’s front row that is far from over the hill. They will be kept on their toes by the not diminutive shadows of Sam Hobbs, Kristian Dacey and Craig Mitchell lurking behind them. This strength in depth should mean that there will not be a slump in performance of the front row when the internationals depart. Furthermore with the departure of Bradley Davies, the remaining second rows are likely to be with the squad for the whole season. The lack of a scrum and a decent pack has been a perennial affliction on the region for years and the apparent solution to this is as much a reason for optimism as any.
Behind the increasingly threatening pack lie a young and inexperienced backline but also an exciting one as I have discussed on previous blogs. To go with the signing of Adam Jones up front, Anscombe is perhaps the highest profile back the Blues have signed in years. Let us just hope he settles in like his compatriot Laulala, and not like another southern hemisphere fullback who wished to be a fly half, Sam Norton Knight.
With the success off the field, there is no reason for the Blues to target anything less than finishing the season as top Welsh region. The Ospreys, long term Celtic League challengers and consistently best performing Welsh region, are faintly reminiscent of the Blues last season; shorn of star quality and inexperienced. The Dragons may well improve but the Scarlets do not appear to have strengthened leaving the Blues seemingly best equipped to succeed.
However top Welsh region does not equal play-off spot and this is something the Blues can aspire to. Failing to have qualified for the European Champions Cup may be a blessing in their pursuit of this goal. The European Challenge Cup should be targeted for success, but will not require the same physical effort as the Heineken Cup in previous seasons has. There may well be opportunities to rest players in this competition whilst the Champions Cup teams rest their players in the league. Consistency is key but the Blues will be confident of gaining one of the coveted top four spots.
In Europe, a strong showing is essential with the semi- finals a minimum and becoming champions a distinct possibility. On their day, the Blues could beat any of the teams in the competition. Stade Francais, Gloucester and Exeter will provide stiff competition but they do not really hold anything to fear.
The targets for this season may appear bold but this is a sign of the current strength the Blues possess. They will enter this season in the most confident mind set for years.
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