Young fires up his troops

The Blues suffered a major dent in their play-off ambitious when they fell to a shock defeat against the Newport Gwent Dragons on the weekend.

They remain fourth in the league table but a loss at Parc Y Scarlets could allow the Ospreys or even the Scarlets themselves into the play-off positions at the final post.

And Young has fired up his wounded Blues by claiming their home loss to the Scarlets back in October was their worst of the season.

"That defeat to the Scarlets was by far our poorest performance of this season," said Young.

"We've picked up some good wins away from home but at key times we have slipped up at home this season. That was one of them, while other sides have nearly a 100 per cent record at home.

"We know how good we're going to have to be, but we are capable of doing the job there."

The Scarlets still have a slim chance of sneaking into the top four but would need to beat the Blues and the Ospreys to fall to a shock defeat at Aironi.

Young is expecting a red-hot cauldron in west Wales but anticipates a different challenge to that posed by the Men of Gwent.

"It will be a different type of game down there and a different type of rugby," added Young.

"The Dragons never went past three phases, it was two phases and kick the ball. We'll expect a different strategy from the Scarlets, they are a very attack-minded side and they are going to throw the ball about against us.

"So we are going to have to be far more accurate than against the Dragons."

But the Blues fate remains in their own hands with a win certain to book a play-off spot.

"We are still fourth and there are a lot of teams behind us," said Young.

"We haven't played well and we know that, but we are still in with a shout and that one win and we are there. That, though, is easier said than done.

"It still could go wrong for us, but we know we have to get the win against the Scarlets. We aren't playing well, but we are still in with a chance. I still believe we can get there."