DINO Radice has told his players 'it's good to talk' as Blackburn's push for promotion continues to gain momentum.

The Ramsgreave Drive club currently second and in the end of season play-off place but Radice has not ruled out winning the North One West title outright.

And the head coach and director of rugby is more than happy for his players to talk about the 'P-word' rather than ban it and bottle it up.

"I'd rather the players talk about it than think about it because when you start thinking, you start worrying and that is when you put pressure on yourself," said Radice.

"I'm not a coach that says 'don't mention the P-word. We should embrace it and acknowledge where were are, where we are going and what we are trying to do.

"We are in with a great position and we have everything to play for."

Blackburn are six points clear of Douglas in third place and 11 behind league leaders Carlisle with seven games remaining.

Burn were in a similar position before a string of injuries and drop in form saw them slip down the table.

But Radice believes his side can learn from that experience while, at the same time, is hoping for a clean bill of health between now and the end of the campaign.

"We've been here before but it feels different this time around," said Radice. "We were hit hard by injuries last season and there is nothing to say that might happen again. But we have definitely learnt from that experience.

"I think this current squad is the best I have worked with and the fact that we haven't had to make too many changes, the players are getting better and better all the time as they get use to play with each other."

Blackburn have been beaten just once since the turn of the year - a last play of the game defeat at Burnage last month - but responded with a 29-14 win over Birkenhead Park which Radice hailed as most complete performance he has seen since becoming head coach.

On the same weekend, Carlisle were beaten at home by Northwich and Radice warned the leaders they cannot afford any more slip-ups.

"The first half display against Birkenhead was the best we have ever played at Ramsgreave Drive," he said. "And the game overall was our most complete performance I have witnessed.

"Results went for us elsewhere on that weekend and I honestly believe Carlisle cannot afford any more slip-ups because, on this form, we are good enough to catch them."

Radice will get the chance to see just how good his team is when they travel to Cumbria next weekend for a top of the table clash that could determine the destination of the league title.

But he warned his players that they have to back up their performances if they are to fulfill their potential.

"There is still a lot of rugby to play and a lot can happen," he said. "It is no good having one outstanding performance and not being able to back it up. We need to play with a high level of consistency between now and the end of the season and not let our standards drop."