Hooker Matthew Rees admitted the players at Cardiff Blues had to hold their hands up and take responsibility for the opening derby day defeat to Dragons - but revealed they won't lack for motivation in the second part of the double header on New Year's Day.
Captain Rees admitted a high error count in the first game at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park had been the team’s downfall as they lost out 23-17 after a second half fight-back.
However, Blues get the chance to make amends on New Year’s Day at Rodney Parade and Rees believes the team will be itching to get back out on the field.
He said: “We’ve got to holds our hands up as players, be accounted for, take responsibility and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“We needed to respect the ball more and made too many errors in the first game. I thought the Dragons did well in the contact area against us and we have got to be better in the next game.
“The second half was better and in the last 20 minutes we went through the phases and kept the ball better. We scored two tries but left ourselves too much to do.
“There were harsh words said in the dressing room and we have got to make sure we perform in Newport,” he added.
“We won’t lack for motivation next week and the thing with these local derbies is that they come thick and fast at this time of year.”