Confidence the key for Baber's Blues

Baber and fellow head coach Justin Burnell take their team to the Stade Yves Du Manoir on the opening Friday of the competition as they look to make the knockouts stages for the first time since 2008/09.

The Welsh capital-outfit have had a mixed start to the new season but have won their last two league matches, with their most recent success being a morale-boosting 26-20 triumph at Heineken Cup newboys Connacht.

And rather than focus on the seemingly endless list of world-class talent at Racing's disposal for the mouth-watering match up a week on Friday, Baber is keen to focus on the Blues' improving form and their own returning World Cup stars such as tournament heroes Jamie Roberts, Gethin Jenkins and Sam Warburton.

"Racing Metro will be a huge challenge. It's well documented the squad that they've assembled," said Baber at the London launch of the 17th Heineken Cup.

"There's a lot of quality in their team and they've got individuals who have played at the top level, but so have we.

"It's a matter of creating confidence in our own team. We've got lots of guys coming back in who have played in cauldrons like down in New Zealand at the World Cup and plenty of players who have played in recent finals. It's a boost to have individuals like that back and what you really want is for them to fit straight into it.

"Beating Connacht was a very pleasing win. You try and create some momentum and a bit of form and going away to Galway isn't always the easiest best chance to do that.

"The squad from one to 23 really stood up and did their jobs. We were in the right frame of mind and played some good rugby, although we did give them a start. It was nice to see that we had the character to close the game out and come away with the points.

"The Dragons game this weekend is also going to be crucial for us in terms of where the squad is at the moment, as well as in keeping the momentum going. It's really important that we kick on now.

"Hopefully, we can back the Connacht win up on Saturday and then go down to France with the confidence and physicality we need to take Racing on."

The Blues also face London Irish and Edinburgh in Pool 2 and, although the Blues are the top seeds, it looks like one of the hardest groups from which to pick a winner.

Under former coach Dai Young, who departed for Wasps during the summer, the Blues reached the quarter finals in 2007/08 and the semis a year later when they lost in a heartbreaking penalty shoot out to former champions Leicester Tigers.

A last eight spot remains the target this time around and Baber sees no reason why that shouldn't materialise if the Blues can turn the Cardiff City Stadium into something of a fortress.

"The realistic goal is to make the quarter finals and to progress from the group. I know everyone is chasing that same goal but, with the squad that we've got, that would be our aim," added Baber.

"We're looking at replicating what we did a couple of years ago in progressing through the pool and then seeing where we can go from there.

"There's a big issue in winning your home games and then nicking points away, whether that be winning games or getting bonus points.

"We've got to create a pressure within the pool to get yourselves into a position where you can progress and it's very important that you get wins in early. The week after next is an opportunity for us to go down to Racing and put pressure on the rest of the group."