Perpigan Ready For Blues Challenge

The Blues also started with a win, beating Leeds Tykes 40-13 at the Arms Park, and Scott Robertson, Perpignan's former All Blacks back row forward, is adamant that "there are no easy Pools in the Heineken Cup.

"Although I don't think our Pool is as strong as some of the others, it could be said that we were in a similar position last year with Edinburgh, Newport-Gwent Dragons and Newcastle Falcons - but we failed to get past the Pool stages. We were let down by our away form last season and it's something we're addressing at the club.

"The last game we lost at home in any competition was to Wasps in 2004. It's a record we're obviously very proud of and, with that in mind we're confident about the arrival of Cardiff, but it's our away form we really need to improve.

"I think we're working towards that with the introduction of more overseas players who come from a culture where away games are as winable as home ones and this should bring more balance to the team.

"The Catalan region has a very strong identity and the Heineken Cup offers us a unique opportunity to represent our region in Europe.

"It's almost like being in a national side which is one of the things that makes the tournament so important to us and our supporters. The Heineken Cup is a prestigious title and winning it, or even reaching the final stages, would be fantastic for Perpignan."

The club did reach the 2003 final, going down to Toulouse at Lansdowne Road, and Robertson is delighted fellow All Blacks star Jonah Lomu is heading for the Blues.

"It's a shame that Jonah won't be with Cardiff for the game this week, but there will always be the return leg," said Robertson. "Clearly Jonah has come to Cardiff with a specific goal in mind and, more than anything, he needs to get game time and be able to play a high standard of rugby in his off-season.

"There has been a shift in the Southern Hemisphere so that players can now play European rugby and that can improve their selection chances instead of reducing them. This is certainly due in part to the role the Heineken Cup has played in raising the standard of European club rugby.

"Success in the Heineken Cup relies on producing consistently high performances. The top teams in Europe are able to produce this consistency to get the necessary results throughout the season.

"Although there may have been a few upsets in the first week, it's going to be very difficult for a team who are not from one of these big clubs to pose a major threat. Although I prefer the Southern Hemisphere style, European rugby is a very high level. In fact it's more a case of the two styles being different rather than one being better than the other.

"Clubs like Toulouse could easily compete in the Super 12. They have strength across the board on the pitch and a great depth to their squad.

"To be able to have world class players coming off the bench is a pretty sure sign that you're a quality side! At Perpignan we're still building and working towards that goal and we certainly aim to start bringing home the silverware."