Neil Back

Neil Back

A change could help

Thu Oct 08 12:56PM

An away game at Bourgoin may not be everyone's idea of an ideal break from the intensity of the Guinness Premiership, but everyone at Leeds Carnegie is looking forward to the trip.

I think it could be just what we need, despite the fact Bourgoin finished runners-up in the European Challenge Cup last season and going well in the Top 14 this term.

The pressure is off for a few weeks and sometimes a new environment and atmosphere can help a side to respond from a difficult period - and let's be honest, our results in the Premiership have not exactly gone the way we would have liked.

But a victory in Bourgoin and then another against Parma at Headingley next week would give the squad a huge confidence boost ahead of our next Premiership game at Saracens at the end of the month.

Momentum is important in a long season and hopefully we can build a little through the Challenge Cup and find some of the winning mentality we had last season.

Yes, we are going all out to win in Bourgoin and hopefully go a long way in the tournament, but our priority has to be consolidating our place in the Premiership this season.

So the Challenge Cup will allow us to full use our squad and gives some of those players who have been challenging for a start this season to finally get their chance.

But we know it is not going to be easy in Bourgoin. They have a very good scrum and lineout, and good shape in defence and attack. Statistics also show that they kick the ball a lot.

However, we are confident we have the game plan to do well at Stade Pierre-Rajon and are very much looking forward to the challenge. A new stadium, different crowds and culture - it could be just what we need.

A litte bit of rugby trivia for you before I finish off: apparently it was an Englishman from the Midlands who helped set up Bourgoin early in the last century and as a result they play in the claret and blue of Aston Villa.

Maybe I can persuade my players to be Birmingham fans for the next couple of days!

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