They may have crept into this season's Heineken Cup through the cat-flap after a desperately poor 2004/5, but there is a sneaking feeling of optimism at the Arms Park.
 | BLUES PREDICTIONS Celtic League: 6th Powergen Cup: Semi-final Heineken Cup: Quarter final |
The confidence is in many ways unsurprising, given a squad rota that boasts Lions Martyn Williams, Tom Shanklin and Gethin Jenkins, a host of Wales internationals, plus overseas stars Dan Baugh, Kort Schubert and Xavier Rush.
The feeling is that a crippling injury list - notably in the back line - handicapped their challenge last season, and that this year simply has to better.
Team spirit at the region remains high, with a number of the Blues' key players committing themselves to new deals, showing their backing for coach Dai Young.
With impressive new training facilities at Hensol and fledgling signs of support for the region from the south Wales valleys, there are definite signs that the self-styled 'greatest rugby club in the world' is back on track.
But there is plenty to prove at the Arms Park.
There were certainly times last season when the back-line, badly missing the guidance of now-fit-again fly-half Nicky Robinson, let down a pack who supplied plentiful possession.
 Key player: Nicky Robinson |
But on other occasions - the shambolic 15-38 home defeat to Stade Francais springs to mind - the Blues seemed unable to win a scrum or line-out, and appeared to lack any sort of game plan.
Young frequently found himself the target of the fans' vitriol, but the management have backed his assertion that he needed more coaching help, bringing in Richard Webster and Rob Howley to join his support team.
It remains something of a gamble. Although he has had time to settle at the Arms Park, Young is a relatively inexperienced coach, while Webster and Howley are still cutting their teeth in the dug-out.
Excuses will be difficult to sell to the fans this year, but the start of the season already looks troubled.
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The three Lions will be missing until October, Schubert is out for two months, and major summer signing Rush is still recovering from glandular fever.
The midfield looks particularly threadbare without Shanklin, Marc Stcherbina (out until late October with a shoulder injury) and Jamie Robinson, who continues to sound uncertain about the strength of his knee following surgical reconstruction.
A slow start in the Celtic League could immediately build the pressure on Young and his team, and the tournament could be a slog all season.
They have been given the most favourable draw of all the Welsh sides in Europe, though, facing Calvisano, Leeds and Perpignan.
 One to watch: Rhys Thomas |
The latter must be favourites for the group given their formidable record at the Catalan 'Bull Ring', the Stade Aime-Giral, but the Blues could sneak an away quarter-final draw as best runners-up.
With a squad that looks better balanced for a cup competition than the demands of the league, a strong showing in the Powergen could also be on the cards.
The Blues' pool also features London Irish, Saracens, and the formidable challenge of Wasps, but with the focus of the Guinness Premiership sides elsewhere a semi-final place could beckon.
In: Marc Stcherbina (Northampton), Mike Phillips (Scarlets), Rob Howley (defence coach), Xavier Rush (Auckland Blues), Chris Czekaj (Cardiff RFC), Nathan Llewellyn (Cardiff RFC), Andy Powell (Scarlets)
Out: Jonny Vaughton (Ospreys), Fereti Tuilagi (released), Geraint John (coaching in Gloucester), Allan Lewis (regional rugby co-ordinator, released), Shaun James (Penzance & Newlyn), Nathan Thomas (Leeds Tykes), Richard Smith (released)
Captain: Rhys Williams
Coach: Dai Young
Assistant coaches: Richard Webster, Rob Howley
Team colours: Blue, black and white
Chief executive: Robert Norster
Ground: The Arms Park
MMIX
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