Success in Italian job key to Blues Euro bid

CARDIFF Blues head coach Danny Wilson is looking for an ‘Italian Job’ to keep his side on course for a Champions Cup place and even qualification for the PRO14 play-offs.

If the Blues are to get anywhere in the PRO14, then Wilson knows the outcome from today’s trip to Parma to face Zebre and Friday night’s home clash with Benetton will be crucial.

“In my first year at the Blues we lost to both Italian sides away and quite comfortably,” Wilson said.

“Last year we targeted four wins and we managed to get them, but gone are the days when you go to Zebre and pick up a bonuspoint win – it is an extremely difficult place to go.”

A combination of injuries and international call-ups has forced Wilson into making six changes.

Rhys Gill, Kirby Myhill and Anton Peikrishvili form a new-look front row.

Olly Robinson and Josh Turnbull step up from the bench after Macauley Cook and Nick Williams were ruled out.

After back-to-back home wins over the Cheetahs and Munster, Wilson wants to complete this block of four matches with a 100 per cent record.

“I want our record to be three Italian wins this season because we only play Benetton at home, but that is no easy achievement. Watching Benetton beat the Scarlets and the Dragons, they are a good side who are well coached and have added a new dimension to their game,” he said.

“Zebre are similar. They have picked up a number of good wins and they beat Connacht comfortably in Galway last weekend.”