Sunday 5 April 2015 14:04, UK
Craig Burden is confident that the support of the Stade Mayol crowd can play a big part as Toulon continue their defence of the Champions Cup against Wasps on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 2HD.
The French champions are looking for a third successive European triumph and are strong favourites for the quarter-final clash with their fellow two-time winners.
However, Burden is expecting a tight contest and hopes that home advantage can swing the balance in their favour.
“The main thing is that we're playing at home and we're defending the cup,” the hooker told Sky Sports. “We know the vibe of the Toulon crowd and how passionate they are.
“We have a massive support base here so playing at Stade Mayol gives us a definite advantage. The Stade Mayol is a special stadium, so to have it filled with those passionate fans behind the boys, it's going to be electric.
“We know it's going to be a big challenge; it will be a full on, eighty-minute game.”
Toulon come into the game on the back of a home defeat to Toulouse and Burden believes it was a timely reminder to himself and his team-mates that they need to be at their best for 80 minutes if they are to repeat the success of the past couple of years.
“We weren't happy with the result we got last week,” he said. “We started well but it just goes to show how quickly the tide can turn, and we know Wasps are a dangerous side who can do the same thing to us if we don't start well.
“They've got a great set-piece and some great attacking backs, which makes them a very good all-round side. Last week against Northampton they were right in it until that red card which changed the game.
“So we know what we're up against, but having said that we have to focus on our own strengths. We have to use those strengths to put them on the back foot, which is exactly what we're planning to do.”
Having been so successful in recent years it has been suggested Toulon may lack the desire they once had, a notion that Burden immediately rejects.
We know it's going to be a big challenge; it will be a full on, eighty-minute game
“There is no point winning both cups if you don't plan to defend them,” he counters, referencing the league and Champions Cup double Toulon achieved last season.
“We set goals at the beginning of the season and we know that we've set a platform for ourselves from last season. The fans have an expectation and of course we want to live up to it, so we have a hell of a job ahead of us.”
Burden himself is not in the squad for Sunday’s game but hopes to be involved again in the near future having recovered from a pectoral muscle injury that has ruled him out since November.
“It's the longest injury I've had. It's been a great rehab, I've trained hard, and I'm back to 100 per cent,” he said.
“Mentally it takes its toll; you're itching to get on the field. I'm dying to get some game time.”
For now though he must be patient and watch on as his team aim to reach the last four and move a step closer to an unprecedented their straight Champions Cup win.
