Daf Hughes wants to strengthen the fortress mentality at Cardiff Arms Park as the 2025-26 season nears on the horizon.

The Blue & Blacks were undefeated in 64 per cent of their fixtures at the iconic stadium last season and enjoyed memorable nights against the likes of Ulster and Munster. 

They were within touching distance of reaching the BKT United Rugby Championship play-offs, agonisingly missing out by a point, but Hughes has revealed that it is giving the squad confidence and fuelling their fire during pre-season. 

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Show this week, he said: “We’ve taken a lot of confidence from last year. I think we were just a point away from the playoffs. We’re building confidence in how many teams we beat at home so if we can keep making the Arms Park a fortress and build on some of those away wins I think we’ll be in for a good season.”

Matt Sherratt’s side kick-off the campaign against Emirates Lions on Saturday, September 27, with tickets for the first block of fixtures released next week. 

Hughes featured 11 times last season, proving himself to be a more than able deputy to club captain Liam Belcher, alongside Evan Lloyd, and he is hungry for more.

“They’re all going to be tough games, but this year I think we’ve got more of an expectation to win. We’ve changed it probably from last year and the year before. Previously people thought maybe we were in with a chance of winning but I think it’s more expectation that we can win now.

“Personally I had a good year last year. Now hoping for the same again for this year, just play in as many games as I can and be as fit as I can.”

Before the Blue & Blacks kick-off the URC against South Africa’s Lions, they will gear-up with friendlies against newly promoted English championship outfit Richmond FC, at the Arms Park, and URC title holders Leinster, in Dublin. 

And the pre-season preparations have been intensifying at the Arms Park, with head coach Matt Sherratt due to return to the helm next week. 

Hughes added: “Pre-season has been pretty tough. I think we’ve upped it from last year and probably the year before that. 

“We’ve started going in pretty hard. We’re in four days a week, for four tough days, so it’s been good. I enjoyed having three and a half weeks in and this week off now, so it’s been tough. 

“Obviously in the first block we don’t really do too much rugby anyway, which is quite nice. There’s a lot of S&C work but it’s still been good.”