Lloyd Williams is determined to sign off a ‘bizarre’ season on a winning note as his side prepare for their penultimate game of the campaign on Friday night.
The Blue and Blacks travel to Rodney Parade for a rescheduled United Rugby Championship derby encounter, before a trip to Treviso to face Benetton Rugby awaits on the final day of the season.
The scrum half wants Cardiff to finish the season on a high and take the momentum into pre-season preparations ahead of the 2022/23 season.
“We understand what the Dragons are about and they’ve shown against Scarlets what they can do with the ball,” said Williams.
“We’re very much aware of the threats they pose but ultimately we just want to build on last week’s performance. We want to do more of the good stuff on Friday.
“It would be nice to finish on a high but we’re also very aware of where we’re finishing up in the league.
“There’s no getting away from that, but as a squad it would be nice to finish with some wins under the belt.
“It’s been the most bizarre season I’ve been involved in and there have been real tough moments.
“As a squad, we experience those together and it’s been tough to build momentum in our season.
“We’re not the only team to have gone through it and I think I speak for everyone by saying they can be frustrating times.
“There’s no getting away from where we’re finishing up in the league. That speaks volumes.
“We’ve had some great games but as a whole we’re disappointed with where we’re finishing.
“There have been things that were out of our hands but also things within our control that we didn’t capitalise on.
“It’s tough to put our finger on it now, and is probably something for when the season is over to reflect on.
“We look to build when we’ve got the ball, and when we keep it we’re a pretty dangerous side.
“But there have been times in the season where we’ve struggled in that respect.
“It’s something that we’ll look at carefully during pre-season and pick out aspects that we need to be more consistent in.
“At times we’re guilty of preparing well for a side but not doing what we said we’d do.
“That’s a big issue for us. When we’ve gone out and done what we’ve prepared all week, we’re dangerous.
“We want to be as consistent as we can in delivering what we’ve prepared. That’s our biggest task.
Scrum half Williams will move within nine appearances of his 250th in the Blue and Black jersey on Friday, closing in on Taufa’ao Filise’s record of 255 in the regional era.
A try in last week’s bonus point win also takes him to 39 scores in club colours but he insists his focus is on the team’s efforts rather than his own individual performances.
“We were thoroughly pleased with our first half performance and the second half was, in our own doing, a bit tricky. But we were pleased to finish on a high at home,” explained the Welsh international
“It was nice to score a try, thanks to Rhys Carré, who did all the hard work. It was nice to dot down and contribute to the scoreline.
“With my form, I’d be happier if we were higher in the league and as a whole we’re a little frustrated.
“Everyone is doing their best to play as well as they can and contribute to to improve things.
“It was nice to have some ball on Friday against Zebre and hopefully that continues over the next couple of weeks.”