The Blues will travel to the East Midlands this weekend to tackle Leicester at Welford Road before entertaining Bourgoin at the Arms Park in the last round of group games next weekend. It may be a far cry from the Super 14 but Blair, in an exclusive interview with Planet Rugby, told us how he is enjoying a new challenge.

Back to back defeats against reigning champions Munster ended the Blues aspirations of a quarter final place, but Blair believes they are not far off from making a serious challenge for the latter stages next season.

"I am really enjoying playing in the Heineken Cup, and despite not being in a position to qualify now, we still have a lot to gain from these fixtures," emphasised Blair.

"Next year with a bit more depth and experience we will be better prepared to qualify for the knockout stages.

"At the moment we are not letting ourselves down we just need to be a bit more street wise against top quality opposition as there is not that a big a gap between us and the likes of Munster and Leicester."

From a personal point of view Blair has had to adapt his game to the rigours of Northern Hemisphere rugby, although he admitted he has improved different aspects of his game in his short time in the Welsh capital.

"Compared to the Super 14 I have found the Heineken Cup a bit more forward-dominated but that has enabled me to focus on other aspects of my game," he said.

"I have had to adapt to the kicking game over here. In New Zealand there is much less emphasis on kicking in open play but here it is a big part of the game. My positioning and field position has improved so much and it enables me to stay busy in the game."

If the Blues are to mount a serious challenge in Europe next season they will, according to Blair, need to use this weekend's clash as a part of a learning curve.

"We need to learn to go to places like Welford Road and win away from home if we are to win the Heineken Cup in the coming years. So this weekend will provide us with valuable experience for next year," stressed Blair.

The Blues are an ever-improving side, and find themselves well within the hunt for the Magners League title, even though they are not yet the finished article. A bonus point victory over the Borders last weekend was largely down to a ten-minute purple patch, and belied the poor quality of the first half display.

Blair feels that they are capable of playing like that purple patch for longer periods, and indeed, is frustrated that they have not been able to put a few more sides to the sword.

"We need to ask questions of the opposition for longer periods. The sides we are playing will take a lot longer to break down and we need to be patient," he reflected.

"It is frustrating when you play so well for periods and then at other times the game seems to drift along. If we can play well for longer periods then we will put games to bed sooner as well as compete with the so called bigger teams and cause them problems."

So a win this weekend away to the Tigers will add another feather to the Blues' cap as they continue to build a squad capable of challenging for Heineken Cup honours, and with the likes of Blair in the side they are not far off right now.

By Marcus Leach