No sooner had the dust settled on the Blue & Blacks' great finish to the season by completing a first Premiership double over Pontypridd, than he was revealing some of the secrets of the teams success.

First up was obviously the playing squad who, he said, had shown great character in recent weeks. He explained, “We've had more than our fair share of injuries and a couple of the suspensions made things worse. We had to use four players on permit against Ponty but you wouldn't have thought so judging by the great spirit shown by everyone.

“To complete doubles over the first and third placed teams above and below us in the final table is a fantastic testimonial for what we are doing and where we are heading. That's not to say we are resting on our laurels because we must again recruit sensibly, work hard during the summer, and step up the next rung of the ladder in 2008-09.”

Meanwhile, the director of rugby was full of praise for the back room staff who have worked with him this season. He added, “Everyone has played their part, none more so than the conditioning staff who made huge inroads with players' fitness and that was there for everyone to see in the exhausting final matches and victories against Neath and Pontypridd. I thank them all for what they have achieved.”

Cardiff's Progress In The Premiership (2003-2008)

2003-04     12th (out of 16)  P30   W11  L19  D0

2004-05      8th (out of 17)   P32   W18  L14  D0

2005-06     10th (out of 16)  P30   W11  L19  D0

2006-07      8th (out of 14)   P26   W12  L13  D1

2007-08     2nd (out of 14)   P26   W18  L7    D1