By Andrew Collins
January 10 2007

Dai Young is expected to name his best side for Saturday's trip to Leicester in the Heineken Cup.

It comes as a shock to many fans, who hoped Young would rest his key players for the remainder of the Magners League, and the Anglo-Welsh cup.

With The Blues taking on the Ospreys in the semi-final of the cross border competition, plus sitting 3rd in the Magners League, Cardiff are in good stead for their first ever piece of silverware as the season reaches its mid-point.

But they are facing a serious squad crisis, with a mamoth injury list, and certain players playing too many matches already. Plus, many of the squad will be going on to play in Wales' 6 Nations campaign in but a few short weeks.

However despite this, it looks as though Young wants to test his finest squad against one of Europes top sides.

Leicester are currently top of the Guinness Premiership, and in recent weeks have beaten off high flyers Bristol and London Irish, convincingly.

They stand a chance, albeit slim, of going through to the next round of the Heineken Cup, but need to get all 5 points in their home fixture this weekend.

After losing at home to Munstyer, they claimed 14 from a possible 15 points in the Millennium Stadium, and back-to-back 5-pointers against Bourgoin.

But for cardiff, the match is no more than pride. So is Dai doing the right thing?

With the often sub-standard competition in the Magners League, and 'watered-down' opposition in the EFC Cup, Europe is the only stage where you can guarentee a real showdown. So yes, in my opinion, we've got to set a bench mark to ourselves of where we are in terms of Europe's elite.

For Leicester, there is a hell of a lot to play for, so its a chance to test our players at the highest level.

Despite losing to them in the 2nd round of group matches, most pundits would agree Cardiff outplayed the visitors. Then in a trip up to Munster, we were a dropped jamie Robinson pass from becoming the first side to win there in the Heineken Cup, ever.

We have shown we can compete, but are yet to get the results, much like Wales' Autumn Series in 2004. It may just be a baised view, but we seem to be getting the plaudits but not the results, but how much longer will that be the case? For me, not long.

There is still a lot to win this year, but on Satuday, we have a chance to send a message, or even a warning to clubs.

Next year, we'll be better.