Kirby Myhill is hoping a reunion with Danny Wilson will enable him to reach the next level.
The hooker, a former Wales Under-20s international, moved east to join Cardiff Blues following six seasons with the Scarlets.
Wilson coached the 24-year-old with Wales Under-20s and at Parc y Scarlets, while he was forwards coach, and Myhill has fond memories.
Now, after reporting for pre-season, he is aiming to grow as a player as he begins a new chapter at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.
Myhill said: “It’s just a fresh start for me and obviously Danny was a big reason, I had been at the Scarlets for six years.
“Danny coached me in the under-20s and the year later he came to the Scarlets, he’s a forwards coach predominantly so he’s taught me a lot of things about throwing and scrummaging.
“He’s taught me a lot in the past and hopefully he can now bring me on further.
“I want to improve on where I’ve been, hopefully play a little bit more and as a team I’d like to see us finish in the top six – it’s already been said that that’s a big thing this year.”
While Myhill is targeting an increase in game time he is acutely aware that competition to pull on the number two jersey remains fierce.
One of those he will be battling is Matthew Rees, who like Wilson has already had a strong influence on his career.
While Myhill was coming through the academy in west Wales, Rees, a veteran of 61 Wales caps and a British and Irish Lions tour, was first choice.
Myhill recalls: “I had two or three years with Smiler and learnt most of my stuff from him when I was coming into the Scarlets.
“It’s good that he’s here now and I can pick stuff up from him again because he has so much experience.
“There’s Smiler, an ex-international, (Kristian) Dacey is an international and Ethan (Lewis) is a good player as well so there’s exactly the same competition, it’s just having a fresh start.”