The Wales coach Mike Ruddock has ordered his four regions to shape up in the Heineken Cup after pundits dismissed the chances of any of them making the quarter-finals. The record of Welsh teams in the tournament this decade is wretched, with only Llanelli making any sort of impact, but Neath-Swansea Ospreys and Newport Gwent Dragons have made the running in the Celtic League this season and Ruddock is looking for them to take that form into Europe.
"There is no reason why our teams cannot be competitive and they have nothing to fear," said Ruddock. "They can use what people are saying about their prospects as a spur and I am optimistic about our chances."
Bookmakers have written off the chance of a Welsh side lifting the trophy next May with the Ospreys and the Dragons both outsiders at 20-1 while Cardiff Blues, who contested the inaugural final in 1996, are written off at 250-1.
The Ospreys tonight visit Castres, home of the former Wasps' players Paul Volley and Mark Denney, with their Wales wing Shane Williams admitting it was time they made an impact in Europe.
"We are looking to do well in the next couple of weeks and give Wales a lift ahead of next month's internationals," said Williams, who turned down a £300,000 offer to join Castres in the summer. "I was flattered by the approach from Castres but I felt we had the makings of something special at the Ospreys and I wanted to be a part of it.
"I smiled when I found out we had been grouped in the same pool as Castres and it will be strange to go there after coming so close to joining them, but it is the chance for us to open our Heineken Cup campaign with a bang and it is a big game for everyone, not just me."
Volley, who left Wasps at the end of last season after enjoying a league and Heineken Cup double, promised the Ospreys a hot reception at the Stade Pierre Antoine. "The ground only holds 9,000 but the atmosphere is incredible," said the 33-year old flanker. "A noise is generated unlike anything I have heard at a rugby ground before and there is certainly nothing to compare with it in England.
"I am fortunate to be in a profession which allows you to go abroad and sample another culture with rugby paying the way: the south of France is an amazing place to live with the lifestyle relaxed and family oriented. "Leaving Wasps was a wrench but it was a good time to bow out after winning the double. Castres have had some good results this season without finding consistency and while the Ospreys are unbeaten we have analysed them and ironed out the way they play."
Williams believes this is the year for Wales to reassert itself on the international stage after failing to build on their performances at the end of last year's World Cup against New Zealand and England. "Mike [Ruddock] has said he wants us to play as we did in those two matches, with expression and freedom and that suits me," said Williams.
"There is no doubt that we have talent behind and we now have a pack to compete with the best. Playing South Africa and New Zealand next month will show us where we stand and it will be a big boost if we are able to go into those matches on the back of some big performances in the Heineken Cup. There has been talk about a revival in the Welsh game for a long time and this is our best chance to turn it into reality."
Gwent Dragons v Newcastle
Kick-off: 1pm today
Venue: Rodney Parade
TV Sky Sports 2, 12.30pm
Newcastle's supporters cross the Severn Bridge this morning under a cloud with Jonny Wilkinson's absence and their fitful league form undermining their European preparations. Dave Walder replaces the England No10 while Luke Gross, late of Llanelli, and his country's vice-captain Colin Charvis returning to Wales. Home advantage will favour the Newport-Gwent side - just.
Castres v Neath-Swansea
Kick-off 6.30pm today
Venue Stade Pierre Antoine
The Ospreys have made a convincing start to the season and Britain's only unbeaten top side will fancy their chances in France tonight. A potent backline with Shane Williams, Sonny Parker and David Bishop to the fore face Mark Denney and Paul Volley, the two Wasps who joined Castres last summer. Volley will be particularly anxious to prove he is still the No7 England are missing.
