Jarrod Evans has called on Cardiff to take the positives and refocus ahead of a massive month of European and Welsh derby fixtures.
The fly-half was disappointed to end the club’s trip to South Africa with a heavy defeat to Vodacom Bulls but after an impressive bonus-point win over Cell C Sharks, he insists there is plenty to build upon going into a busy festive period.
The Blue and Blacks welcome CA Brive to the Arms Park next Saturday (17:30pm), before travelling to Newcastle and Dragons ahead of home ties against Ospreys and Scarlets.
Evans is relishing the opportunity that lies ahead and he believes Cardiff can grasp it with plenty of confidence.
He said: “It was a difficult one really. I thought we were really on it mentally today, physically we were there and in the first half we executed our game-plan and it worked well.
“There were a few chances we didn’t take and flip that on its head, they had two and they took them. The score before half-time and the one after, a 14-point swing, it probably took it out of us.
“The Bulls are a quality outfit, they’ve got pace and power throughout their team and we matched it but we couldn’t sustain it with the altitude and tired bodies.
“They are a quality outfit, they have internationals straight back but overall we have a lot to work on and build on.
“You look at the way all the other games have gone, the first 20 minutes the games are more or less wrapped up. We fought for 40 and we made them keep fighting. That’s what this group is about and any points coming out to South Africa is a big bonus for us.
“It’s been a really good trip, the boys have really bought in and connected and now we just have to stay positive, keep learning, getting better each day and take that home with us.
“We’ve got a new competition now so we can refocus and concentrate on that. The international boys will be joining up with us so that will be good and the derbies over Christmas are always exciting. There’s still a lot to play for, we can still be positive, there was a lot of effort put in, we will recover, get home and focus on Brive coming next weekend.”
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