Filo Paulo has arrived at the Arms Park and is determined to do everything in his power to ensure Cardiff Blues finish the season with success.
The giant Samoan second-row jetted to the Blues last week as short-term injury cover and is taking a full part in training this week with a view to facing Pau on Saturday (7.45pm).
It will be Paulo’s second stint at Wales Capital Region after making 54 appearances between 2012 and 2015, and he is excited to get stuck in.
He said: “I’m very excited to be back. It was awesome last time and I really enjoyed it. I made a lot of good memories here, so it is good to be back to make sure more.
“I will do my best to help the team out in any way possible, if I get game time, I will do what I do and try to bring that physical presence for the boys.”
Much has changed since Paulo’s initial spell with the Blues, with players coming and going, youngsters blossoming into first team regulars and a switch of training bases.
But there is still the same core to the squad, while the 32-year-old is close friends with Rey Lee-Lo and Nick Williams.
He continued: “Obviously, we were at the Vale last time but it’s good for the whole organisation to move home to Cardiff Arms Park.
“It is good to see a lot of the boys have come through the academy, younger boys have come in and established themselves and a lot of them play for Wales now as well.
“Guys like Seb Davies, Tomos Williams, Dillon Lewis it is good to see them come through the grades. It is good to see the Cardiff Blues system working.
“I’ve obviously been with Rey the last two Samoa tours and I know Nick through rugby, and he has been looking after me pretty well.”
Paulo is available to face Pau this weekend and is physical presence will undoubtedly be beneficial not only against a sizeable French pack but also in the Welsh derbies, which come thick and fast over the festive period.
The lock-cum-back-row featured in plenty of derbies during his initial spell in Wales and he is relishing the opportunity once more.
He added: “I just remember the boys being so passionate about it and getting up. They are the tougher games of the season and obviously bragging rights are on the line.
“I’m really excited to be part of the team and hopefully I can do everything I can to help the boys have a successful season.”
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