Max Llewellyn is looking forward to Friday’s clash against Bristol Bears, as Cardiff continue preparations ahead of an exciting second block of competitive rugby.
When Cardiff take on C Cell Sharks in Durban later this month, they will have faced a four-week break since their last competitive outing against Edinburgh.
But Friday’s trip to Ashton Gate will look to bridge the gap between fixtures, with Cardiff also set to welcome Bristol to the capital in similar circumstances on the eve of Wales’ Six Nations encounter with England in February.
And with the next block of games including a South African double-header, a return to European rugby and the festive derbies, Llewellyn hopes Cardiff can build on a promising start to the season.
“It’s a game we’re playing in-between competitive fixtures. But something we don’t get to do too often is playing these sorts of games,” said the centre, who has been in fine form during the opening weeks of the campaign.
“So I think it’s something everyone’s really looking forward to doing.
“The double-header is something that can create a little bit of a rivalry, and they’re not too far from us either, so it’s definitely going to be a really good occasion.
“We were definitely disappointed with what happened against Edinburgh. We wanted to finish the block on a high.
“But looking at where we are now, sixth in the table, it’s looking pretty positive from what we have done and we’re trying to carry the momentum.
“We have a really tough block coming up, with the trip to South Africa followed by Europe and the derbies. It’s a long one with big games thrown in there, so it’s about trying to adapt and keep developing what we have been doing on the pitch so far.
“Last time around in South Africa, especially with all the things that happened, there was a bit of uncertainty.
“But now we know the challenges ahead and what we’re going to be facing out there.
“We’re definitely more prepared than we were in previous seasons and hopefully we can go out there and get good results.
“On a personal level, the run of games is really helping my confidence and it helps me on the pitch to be able to do what I’ve always done when I was playing at schools, and just bring that out on the pitch.
“At the moment I really want to keep progressing and make sure that each year I’m getting better as opposed to not progress as much as I could be.”
Llewellyn and his midfield partner, Mason Grady, will come up against fellow Ysgol Glantaf alumni, Ioan Lloyd, who lines up in the number 10 jersey for the hosts.
Looking ahead to a reunion, the centre added: “It’s always great to play with or against people who were from the same school as you.
“Everyone is pretty proud of where we came from and to have represented Glantaf, so it’s nice to kind of carry that on in some way.
“It’s always great to come up against each other. Ioan is a really good player and he is doing well, and I’m looking forward to Friday.”
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