With Cardiff set to play Toyota Cheetahs on Saturday night in the second round of the EPCR Challenge Cup, hooker Daf Hughes said he was proud of the fight the side showed against Lyon last week.
The Blue and Blacks claimed a try bonus point in France and victory against the Cheetahs will put them in a strong position in the pool heading into the New Year.
“We put ourselves in a position in the game that we got in front of the early doors,” said Hughes.
“Lyon came back and then we came back and we got back in front again, then a couple of moments in that last 20 minutes let us down a little bit.
“But there was great fight from the boys, great effort to go away and put a performance in and get that close and I think we’re just quite proud.
“We took a point from the Lyon game and obviously a good win at home would put us in good stead for us after Christmas.”
Although Cheetahs are not in the BKT United Rugby Championship, Hughes believes they will bring a familiar challenge to the other South African teams in the competition.
He’s also hoping a win could spark a cup run and continue momentum in the URC.
“We’re playing a team which is not in the URC, so they’re going to come here really keen, wanting to show off what they can do.
“It’s another team from South Africa and they’ll want to show what they can bring, but hopefully we can go after them.
“We want to have knockout rugby here at the Arms Park and it’ll be good for the crowd and for ourselves to enjoy a cup run and it’ll give confidence when we go back into the URC.”
The 28-year-old joined the Blue and Blacks from Jersey Reds last year, but had few opportunities in his first season for the Club with Cardiff well stocked in the hooker department.
He’s seen more game time this season, and scored an important try in the comeback win over Ulster.
“This year I’ve probably had a few more chances which is nice.
“It’s up to me then to keep performing and keep training well and because in the hooker department we are quite strong so it’s a nice healthy competition there.”