Josh Turnbull insists Cardiff Blues can take confidence from their derby defeat to the Scarlets but he knows they must on convert more opportunities in this week's clash against the Ospreys.
Following a Boxing Day victory over the Dragons, the Blues slipped to a slender defeat to the reigning Guinness PRO14 champions despite dominating for the majority of the game.
At times the decision-making of Wales’ Capital Region could be questioned but there were also a succession of dubious refereeing decisions that proved costly in the closely fought and high-quality derby.
Turnbull said: “It was a frustrating dressing room because we had opportunities, our driving lineout was going really well, we probably had more territory and possession, we just couldn’t capitalise and maybe a couple of calls went against us as well.
“We were five metres out and you can hear the ref calling ‘hands away’ and Cubby comes up with the ball and sprints away 20 metres up the field. When his backside is facing the touchline you do wonder how he gets away with it but I guess that’s the smartness of sevens, they get away with all sorts and he got away with that one.
“In the first half we called the right calls, we felt like our drive was going really well and we drove one over but at the other end of the field in the second half we could have gone for the draw.
“But those are toss of the coin calls, you win them and you lose them. We’ll have a look at it again next week and with the way we’re playing I think we can go down and give the Ospreys a good game.
“The big thing for us against the Scarlets was we were going into it with some confidence, going into this we had won seven of our last 10 so we’re in a good place and hopefully we can kick on against the Ospreys.
“We all know what to expect, it’s a big derby game. They have some big, key players there but we just have to worry about ourselves and bring our own game. At times we showed what we’re capable of doing and caused the Scarlets lots of problems.”
Following Saturday’s Welsh derby at the Liberty Stadium, the Blues turn their attention back to the European Challenge Cup and a clash with four-time former Heineken Cup winners Toulouse.
The Blues are currently top of Pool Two and virtually book their place in the knockout stages by completing a double over the French giants.
Tickets for the Cardiff Arms Park clash on Sunday, January 14, (5.30pm) are available now and can be bought by clicking here or calling 029 20 302030.