Sven Cronk is eyeing up some major silverware for his Newport side this season as they continue to battle on three fronts.
The Black & Ambers are handily placed in third place in the Principality Premiership, all set for a classic cup tie against arch-rivals Cardiff in the last 16 of the SWALEC Cup at the end of the month and hope to stay on course for a semi-final berth in the inaugural British & Irish Cup when they meet the Scottish outfit, Gael Force, at home on Friday night..
This weekend may be all about the RBS 6 Nations in most people’s eyes, but Cronk is focussing on maintaining his side’s unbeaten record in the fledgling competition.
Having seen his team take Exeter Chief’s unbeaten record in their opening game, the former Newport and Pontypridd front row man was disappointed to drop points to Plymouth Albion in a Rodney Parade mud bath wrestling match that ended in a 3-3 draw.
“We’re still in the hunt and we’ve got two massive away games to come against Leinster and Cornish Pirates. The players are really excited by the challenges ahead of us and I’m really looking forward to seeing how they cope with them,” said Cronk.
“The B&I Cup has all the makings of an excellent competition and one which will test our players moving forward. Of all the things it does, I think it puts pressure on the mental toughness of the players as much as anything else.
“As a player myself, I really looked forward to going to places like Leinster, Munster and Leicester. I was never fazed by those challenges and that’s how I want my players to approach their two trips in the B&I Cup.
“It will be great to play at Donnybrook and the players are very excited by the prospect. I know that many of my squad would be capable of holding their own in the Leinster playing environment, but this will be the acid test.
“We found the physicality and intensity of the Exeter game a step up from what we are used to in the Principality Premiership, but I still feel we are well enough prepared physically to compete against the other sides.”
Gael Force have pepped up their side by including three international players and will have 10 Glasgow Warriors and one Edinburgh player in their starting line-up as they seek their first win in the tournament.
Llanelli director of rugby Anthony Buchanan is expecting a huge challenge from Ulster Ravens when they visit Parc y Scarlets on Friday night, while Simon King’s Aberavon side are hoping to nick another victory when they host Moseley.
Cardiff are the only unbeaten Welsh team in the tournament and they will be hoping to make it three wins out of three when they travel to Doncaster to face former coach Lynn Howells’ side tomorrow. With a debut win over Pontypridd, and then an eight try romp against Birmingham & Solihull, they are well placed to reach the last four.
“We’ve got two home matches left after the trip to Doncaster so we feel we can go on and reach the semi-finals if we can win up there. We realise we are in a good position and we want to make the most of it,” said Cardiff team manager Gafyn Cooper.
“We’ll be missing a couple of Under 20 internationals, including James Loxton who scored five tries against Birmingham & Solihull, but then Doncaster will be playing their third game in seven days.”
Neath play at Heriot’s today hoping to break their duck in the new tournament after frustrating defeats at home to Bristol and away at Nottingham. Not that director of rugby Pat Horgan is too downhearted.
“We could have won both games and there hasn’t been much between any of the sides we have played to date. It’s going to be another testing afternoon in Scotland, but the players are really looking forward to what is a very refreshing competition,” said Horgan.
“We’ve still got to play Munster at home and, even if qualifying for the semi-finals is probably beyond us, that will be a great marker for the team and the club.”
