Josh Adams has urged Cardiff to fire themselves up for another Welsh derby at the Arms Park on Saturday evening (17:15).
The Blue and Blacks host the Scarlets just six days after 12,125 packed in to a sold out stadium to watch the Ospreys battle back and grind out a 22-19 victory.
Adams bagged one of Cardiff’s three tries in the entertaining encounter and he has called on his side to bounce back in front of another bumper home crowd.
He said: “It was our first home derby, but we’ve got another one next week and that’s something that we’ve spoken about. We’ve got to get ourselves up for it. It’s another home one for us and it’s something we need to put right next week.”
Cardiff got off to the perfect start when Owen Lane pounced after just four minutes but the game remained in the balance throughout with the Ospreys sizeable pack piling on the pressure in the set-piece.
That starved Cardiff’s electric back-line of ball on a frustrating afternoon but Adams insists there were plenty of positives and pointed to the Blue and Blacks’ growing ability to hang in games when they are up against it.
He continued: “it was a tough one. It went right down to the end. Obviously, I think the decision to go for the posts was a good one. We had no hooker on the field and that paid. That showed with the line out five metres out from our line. It’s difficult place to be, especially without a hooker. it’s agonisingly close to having a draw.
“We stuck in the game very, very well. That’s something that we’ve done really well over the past couple of weeks.
“We’ve never given up, we’re always in with the chance of winning the game right at the end or drawing the game in this case.
“Credit to the boys for that, but we are disappointed because I think that’s a game that we could have won.
“That’s how sometimes games go. Especially with that weather coming in the end of the first half, you just knew there wouldn’t be much rugby played in that.
“It was pretty evident the Ospreys targeted us up front. The boys stuck in there tremendously well as well but it’s disappointing to lose.”
Adams’ second-half try was his 20th in Blue and Black colours and his seventh try in his last six club appearances.
The Wales and Lions ace is clearly in a rich vein of form and was delighted to cross yet again.
He added: “The team performance and result is the most important thing but it is nice to get on a run. Once you get 1or 2 in one game after each other, you just want to keep that going.
“Personally, I’m just glad to have a run of games because it felt that last year was a bit stop start for me. I played two or three games, pick up an injury and I’d be out for a period of time and I never felt I got a proper run of games.
“I’m feeling good, my body’s holding out well, which is pleasing and I’m just looking to keep improving. That’s all I want to do, just keep getting better.”
Cardiff take on Scarlets at the Arms Park on Saturday, January 7 (17:15) and tickets are selling fast. Call 029 20 302030 or click here to secure your place today!