Kristian Dacey has set his sights on the potential of a second European Challenge Cup winners medal as he reaches 200 appearances in Cardiff’s quarter-final clash with Benetton Rugby on Saturday.
The hooker will hit his double century if he comes off the bench at Stadio di Monigo with the Blue and Blacks targeting a semi-final against Toulon or Lyon.
Dacey was part of the side that lifted the title in 2018, an occasion that ranks at the top of his career highlights reel, and he is hungry for more.
He could never have dreamt of making 200 appearances for his home professional club but it is something that fills him with immense pride.
Dacey said: “Growing up back in Merthyr everyone dreamt of playing professional rugby and to have the career I’ve had is something I’m really proud of.
“My past history with injuries is no secret but at the moment the body feels great and Im just looking forward to Saturday and hopefully it is a big occasion with a big win.
“I always remember being 12 or 13 and Robert Sidoli coming into school to give out awards. I always thought I wanted to be like Sid, he’s obviously also from Merthyr, and to play 200 times here at Cardiff is massive.
“It’s something I couldn’t have done by myself. I do the easy part and the sacrifices are made by my family, the wife and the kids, the amount of time they don’t see me so the 200 is for them.
“My first game of professional rugby stands out, having family there and after that the first time captaining the team for the first time, back in 2017 against Toulouse.
“We went out there and no one expected us to win but we came away with the result and went onto win the cup that season.
“Bilbao itself was a huge moment. It was the first time having the family coming on an away trip and having my little boy there was massive. I’ve got another boy now and it would be nice to get them both a medal.”
However, Dacey is also acutely aware there is a long way to go, he knows the quality Benetton possess and after a heavy defeat on their last visit to Treviso, Cardiff are taking nothing for granted.
They arrive in Northern Italy buoyed by a thrilling victory against the odds over Sale Sharks, who sit second in the English Premiership and Dacey admits the squad are still motivated by the opportunity to honour former Life President Peter Thomas, who passed away two weeks ago.
He said: “It’s a whole other kettle of fish this week - Treviso away - everyone saw the result we had out there last year and it’s a cup match they will be busting for. It is not something they have done a lot of in the past, much like ourselves.
“(The loss last season) was one of the lowest points of my career in terms of results. You expect to win every game but to lose in the manner we did was the hardest thing. There are a lot of boys who are still really feeling that defeat and want to put that right. Hopefully on Saturday we can put it to bed.
“We’ve enjoyed this competition in the past. It’s got that feeling of 2018 again where we got to the quarters against Edinburgh away, unbeaten at home for a year or so but we turned them over.
“For us it’s trying to relive that and relive those feelings. Everyone sees the pictures from 2018 in the changing rooms and that’s something we want to recreate.
“There’s a lot of boys in the same situation, not knowing where they’re going to be next season, whether they will be professional players and also with Peter he is still in our minds and the family are in our minds. There’s that added motivation for us to win something for him.
“The cup has a different meaning now and hopefully we can go all the way and do it for Peter.”
It has been some journey for Dacey, who came through the ranks at number eight but switched to hooker following a telephone conversation between Dai Young and his then Pontypridd coach Dale McIntosh.
Dacey never looked back after making the switch and McIntosh was on hand to present the xxx-year-old with his jersey before the team flew to Italy.
He added: “There were reservations about whether it would work and people will still say I can’t hit a barn door but it’s something I grabbed with both hands and luckily it’s worked out.
“I’ve played for Wales, toured with the Lions, I’ve done these things and it’s a career I’m really proud of. Hopefully I can carry on for another couple of years.”
Supporters can watch Cardiff take on Benetton on the big screen at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday.