Lifelong Cardiff Blues supporter, Aled Summerhill, is relishing playing in the big festive derbies, having witnessed them as a youngster from the Arms Park terraces.
The wing is starting alongside Hallam Amos and Josh Adams in the back three at Cardiff City Stadium, as John Mulvihill’s side go toe-to-toe with Ospreys on New Year’s Day.
Summerhill, who also recalls watching his home region at the home of Cardiff City Football Club, says the derbies have a unique intensity, although he admits the packed crowds will be missed this year.
“If I remember correctly, I think I watched the first ever Cardiff Blues game at Cardiff City Stadium when I was younger, so it will be nice to play on there,” said the wing.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure if it was the first game, but I think it was.
“I remember sitting down in the bottom left of the stand, and watching on thinking that it was a lovely pitch and I wouldn’t mind running on that after the game.
“But I don’t think the stewards would let us so it will be nice to finally go out there on the weekend.
“I used to have a season ticket when I was younger, and used to go to the Arms Park as well, so I watched them for a few years.
“I’ll always remember the derby games having that extra edge. The crowds are always usually full and it’s bouncing.
“Everyone wants to get a win over a local team, and to be out there playing in these games and get one over your neighbours.
“There’s always a bit of niggle, but I suppose as a wing you’ll always go in there last. You can hear those niggles now with no crowds at the moment.
“But especially in these derby games, with no crowd there it’s totally different. You need to get the energy from each other, so it will be great once we’re back at the Arms Park with the supporters there.”
Cardiff Blues’ festive period kicked off with a Boxing Day victory over Dragons in horrendous weather conditions.
While it might not have been the prettiest of wins, Summerhill believes his side can take confidence from the encounter as he sets out his plans for 2021.
“All the derbies are going to be tough, and in the end you just want to get the win, so we were really happy to do that,” added Summerhill, who has 27 tries in 68 appearances for the region.
“We can move on now with momentum having had a couple of wins and we’re looking forward to the weekend.
“We were quite unlucky with the conditions on Boxing Day. I know the Dragons’ ground staff had their work cut out and did a brilliant job to get the game on.
“But we’re now on the fast track in Cardiff City Stadium so hopefully we can get a bit of ball out wide and show what we can do.
“For me now, I want to be consistent, get a good run of form and perform.
“That’s it in terms of goal for myself, and hopefully other opportunities can open up from that.
“As a team, we want to finish this block really strong and we have a lot to look forward to in the New Year with the South African teams coming in.
“It will be good to test ourselves differently and I’m looking forward to that now.”