The capital city region travel to Nice this weekend with qualification for the quarter finals a more than realistic possibility after back-to-back wins over Glasgow before Christmas.
The Blues are just two points behind the defending champions in Pool 2 with a trip to France and a home tie with Exeter Chiefs their two remaining fixtures. Realistically, the Blues will need two wins to make sure of progressing but despite facing Toulon’s all-star side, Davies reckons a victory is more than achievable.
“We just want to carry on from where we have left off in the last few months,” said the region’s Director of Rugby.
“The development of the team has been accelerated in that time, the results have been a bit more consistent and a few key players have had the chance to develop.
“We are excited at this opportunity and we know what the challenge is all about. Physically and mentally it will be the toughest game we have had this season.
“But the players are ready and we want to go to the last game against Exeter with something to play for.”
The Blues are still struggling on the injury front with Wales skipper Sam Warburton and international centre Owen Williams still unavailable. The main area of concern is at fly half though with Rhys Patchell set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury.
It leaves Gareth Davies as the only fit 10 at the region and with Pontypridd’s Simon Humberstone not registered for the Heineken Cup, Davies revealed Leigh Halfpenny could step up to the fly half role.
“It’s tough to lose Rhys – he’s a young, quality player and there have been times when I would have liked to have nurtured him more than I have,” he added.
“But Gareth is there and Leigh can potentially cover 10. Leigh is great in attack. We have put him in for some of the defensive elements in training and he was good there.
“There are different timings and different spaces to police at outside half but we know Leigh very rarely misses tackles. He’s got enough class to play at 10 so we’re lucky.”
With the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Bryan Habana, Matt Giteau, Bakkies Botha and Carl Hayman in their ranks, Toulon are formidable opposition. But their recent league form – they have lost seven matches in the Top 14 this season, will give the Blues hope. Davies’ side were also 19-15 winners over the French side in the return fixture in October.
“Toulon will be smarting from their recent defeat to Grenoble and they won’t be happy they lost to us earlier in the competition,” said Davies.
“It’s a big challenge but one we are looking forward to. We are going there to win and give the best account of ourselves we can.
“There is still an opportunity to top the group but we will have to win two games first.”
