Dai Young has labelled Monday's Guinness PRO14 encounter against Edinburgh as a 'must-win' if his side are to maintain realistic hopes of qualifying for next season's Heineken Champions Cup.
The Championship campaign comes to a close against the Scottish outfit, with Young’s side currently sitting in fourth place, with the race for Europe wide open in Conference B.
Welsh rivals, Scarlets, are in third place with a three point advantage, while Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh are seven points behind with two games in hand.
Former Welsh international, Young, is expecting nothing but a tough challenge against the side from the Scottish capital but has emphasised his side's hunger to book a place on Europe’s top table next season.
“Realistically for Champions Cup qualification, we need to win. It’s as simple as that,” said the director of rugby.
“If we don’t get that result, we’re probably not going to end up qualifying for that.
“It may still be the case even if we don’t win but this is certainly a massive game for us in the context of us wanting to play at the top table of European rugby next year.
“For players, supporters and staff, we all want to measure ourselves against the best. We haven’t been in the Champions Cup for a couple of seasons so for us it would be a great statement about us moving forward.
“If we don’t achieve it, then we need to work extra hard to make sure if definitely happens next year.
“We left ourselves with quite a bit to do towards the end of this season, but we’ve put ourselves back in the mix and all we can do now is win that game and try to make sure that Edinburgh don’t come away with anything.
“But it’s certainly exciting. That’s where we want to be, which is being measured against the best, and that is the best for club competition and the highest we can play to as a club.
“Edinburgh are a difficult team to beat and knowing Richard Cockerill as well as I know him, he’s very competitive.
“I think they’ll change their game slightly when they come here. I think there will be more aerial battles, a lot more of a kicking game and they’ll look to play through us as opposed to playing around us.
“They will want to put pressure on our running game. They’re a very physical team who are good set piece-wise and they’ve got a very good kick-chase game.
“We’re going to have to be at our best and it’s a must-win game for us.”
While the Guinness PRO14 campaign comes to an end on Monday, Cardiff Blues’ European journey continues next month as they travel to Brentford to take on London Irish in the round of 16 in the European Challenge Cup.
As they bid for a third Challenge Cup title, Young hopes Cardiff can carry momentum into the London clash but insists the focus is currently solely on Monday’s fixture.
“Momentum is huge in this game. It’s much easier working on the back of wins. We’re trying to work on good habits and there are no better habits than winning,” added the former British and Irish Lion.
“It would be really nice to finish the season off with a win, and we’re then excited to play against London Irish at their magnificent stadium.
“I haven’t been there before, but it looks magnificent. They’ve got an excellent squad and we know we’re going to have to be at our best there.
“But for us it’s one game at a time. We’ll concentrate on Monday first.
“Monday is a bit of an unusual night to be playing but it gives us time to prepare and look forward to it.”