Full-back Cam Winnett says every remaining game will be crucial to Cardiff’s season.
The Blue and Blacks face Emirates Lions this Friday night at the Arms Park in the BKT United Rugby Championship, before playing Connacht in the EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 a week later.
Cardiff are in sixth position in the league with just six games remaining with the top eight going through to the playoffs.
“This block of next games is very important for where we are in the league and then obviously our game against Connacht in the Challenge Cup,” said Winnett.
“Every game is a crucial game coming towards the end of the season now.
“It’s very tight in mid-table for the play-of spots, so we’ve just got to take each game as it comes and every game is an important game.
“There’s no easy games coming to the end of the season.
“It’s an enjoyable place to play and I think the fans make that as well. Every time the boys go out on the pitch we just enjoy it and give it our all.
Winnett was controversially left out of Wales’ Six Nations squad, however after admitting he was at first ‘gutted’ to miss out, he has looked to turn the omission into a positive.
The 22-year-old has used the eight week period to work hard both on and off the pitch, practicing his defence and adding size to his frame.
“I was very gutted at the start but I kind of flipped it then and tried to turn it into a positive,” added Winnett.
“The last year has been a big jump and I’ve played a lot of games, so I wanted to reflect on that year and a half, work on my work ons, work on myself.
“I feel like in this eight week period I’ve obviously missed from playing Wales, but I feel like I’m better for it right now and going into the end of season I feel like I can give it a very good crack and I’m in a good place for next season as well.
“I tried to take it with both hands and obviously loved my time playing for Wales, and hopefully I’ll be back in that jersey.
“I just feel like I’m in a good place and these next few games are very important.
“I think I’ve developed quite a bit over the last eight weeks, I’ve put a bit of weight on, which I was happy with, and I’ve found tough during periods of playing every week.
“I’ve been able to really focus on that and I feel like I’m in good place.
“Work-ons on the field would probably be some of my defence stuff, and continuing to work on my good stuff as well, so my kicking, my high balls, all that stuff.”