Blaine Scully believes his side can take positives from last week's Heineken Champions Cup clash at Allianz Park, as Cardiff Blues prepare to welcome two-times European champions, Saracens, to the Welsh capital on Saturday (KO 1.00pm)
The USA international joined team-mates Matthew Morgan and Olly Robinson on the scoresheet last week, but the current English champions ran-away with a bonus point victory in London.
With a very limited amount of tickets available for Saturday’s clash, Scully is excited ahead of the return leg and says these occasions are what professional players aspire to participate in.
“As a game, it always teaches, regardless of the result.There is a lot we can take from the weekend from a learning and improving perspective. There were things we did well, but also things to improve, and looking ahead to Saturday, we’ll need to do that pretty quickly,” said the captain of the USA men’s national side.
“As you saw from the first half, there were positives and things to take away from the way we attacked and we had some positive sets in defence too.
“In the second half, we had a couple of turnovers and opportunities, which Sarries put pressure on us for, and they forced the hand a little bit, as good teams do.
“The challenge of the game is your ability to re-set, re-connect and move on to the next moment. That becomes the most important thing.
“That’s something we’ll look to address this week and try to get better at. That’s all we can do.
“We’re exactly where we want to be. We’re in the biggest competitions against one of the best teams in Europe. As a competitor, that’s all you could really ask for.
“I always ask myself - ‘Is there anything I’d rather be doing?’, and I think, probably not!
“I get to play against the best players and teams in the world alongside team-mates who I really respect and admire. That’s an unbelievable experience and something that I’m really grateful for.”
Scully is one Cardiff Blues squad member who had previous experience of facing Saracens, having spent two season at English Premiership side.
The 30-year-old believes the challenge on Saturday will be cracking the stern Sarries defence.
The utility back said: “They are a very well-drilled and well-coached team with a lot of hard-earned experience.
“They have one of the best defences in Europe and it’s about finding a way to challenge them and not play to their strengths.
“They’re big and physical men who get off the line well, so we’ll need to look at changing the point of attack and challenge them in different ways.
“We have boys like Rhys Gill, who has played for Saracens, and you try to use what you can to help inform the way you’re going to play and learn some triggers that the opposition might bring.
“But at the end of the day, we’re the ones that will have to go onto that field and execute that under some serious pressure.
“Once you get out there, all you can do is give your best. This is an opportunity we’ll relish and we’ll look to do it justice.”
Tickets for Cardiff Blues v Saracens in the Heineken Champions Cup are available now by calling 029 20 302030 or by clicking here.