Skip to main contentAccess keys helpA-Z index

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
watch listenBBC SportBBC Sport
Low graphics|Help
---------------
CHOOSE A SPORT
RELATED BBC SITES
Last Updated: Wednesday, 11 April 2007, 13:46 GMT 14:46 UK
Brent Cockbain's column
Brent Cockbain
By Brent Cockbain
Wales and Ospreys lock

We mustn't get overawed by the occasion of playing at Twickenham this Sunday in the final of the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Leicester are an opposition like any other, although a very good opposition to be fair.

Leicester coach Pat Howard
Leicester are a great side and Pat Howard is a great coach there

But we need to go up there and play our own game, concentrate on what we're good at and put them under pressure by being as good as we possibly can be.

It wasn't the prettiest performance by us last Saturday when we faced Munster in the Magners League.

There were a lot of reasons for that, but I don't think you can be 100% all the time - and we still won.

Last weekend we were resting a few players and had a few injuries and sickness problems to deal with.

But we played very well in the Anglo-Welsh semi-final win over Cardiff Blues and we're obviously targeting the final on Sunday.

I'd like to think that if we play the same way we'll lift the trophy against Leicester.

We really got stuck into Cardiff as there's always that local derby rivalry, but there's always that Welsh-English rivalry as well.

We need to play that open, expansive sort of game and really get stuck into Leicester in the forwards.

That's the key because we've got the backs: Sonny Parker, James Hook, Shane Williams.

Those sort of guys will do the job if we take the Tigers on up front and try and dominate there.

Fly-half James Hook is part of a free-running Ospreys backline
Fly-half James Hook is part of a free-running Ospreys backline

Leicester are a great side, they've been in lots of finals, Pat Howard is a great coach there and they've got some very good players.

It should be a very even match but with two different styles of play.

With the good weather we're having this week I'm expecting a great, expansive game from us.

The sun and longer days have also helped everything start kicking off on my allotment, as coming out of winter there's not a lot in there apart from seedlings.

For me, being down there and planting a few things is the perfect preparation for a big game.

It helps me chill-out and get away from things, as I found years ago that if you think too much about a game you over-hype yourself up.



SEE ALSO
Leicester v Ospreys (Sun)
10 Apr 07 |  Rugby Union
Tandy and Lloyd blow for Ospreys
08 Apr 07 |  Ospreys
Blues 10-27 Ospreys
24 Mar 07 |  Welsh
Sale 19-29 Leicester
24 Mar 07 |  English
Rugby union on the BBC
18 Jan 07 |  Rugby Union
BBC Sport Wales coverage
24 Dec 06 |  Wales


RELATED BBC LINKS:

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

BBC PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Daily and weekly e-mails | Mobiles | Desktop Tools | News Feeds | Interactive Television | Downloads
Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability sport | Olympics 2012 | Sport Relief | Other sport...

Help | Privacy & Cookies Policy | News sources | About the BBC | Contact us