Seb Davies believes Saturday's home clash against Benetton Rugby (KO 5.15pm) is an opportunity for Cardiff to get their season back on track.
As they prepare for the penultimate home league game of the season, the Blue and Blacks currently sit five points behind Saturday’s opponents, who occupy a play-off spot as things stands in the table.
However, after some disappointing recent results in the league, Davies insists the squad are desperate to rediscover the form they showed earlier in the season and challenge for a top eight finish.
“We struggled against Benetton in the last game of last season and they’re a great team now,” said the Welsh international.
“They’ve obviously lost a few players to Italy and so have we to Wales. But we need to win this one.
“A win would help to put ourselves back on track. We’re 10th in the league table at the moment, and there’s not much between us and sixth place, so every point matters at this stage of the season and we need a win on Saturday.
“We probably underperformed in the past few games in the URC, Europe and derbies.
“They were games that we really wanted to win but we fell short by a few points against Ospreys and Scarlets, which was disappointing.
“But as I say, we need a good push from now until the end of the season and hopefully we can start climbing that table again.”
While the lock admits he was disappointed to miss out on a place in the Six Nations squad, he is fully focused on performing for the Blue and Blacks.
“Everything you do in your performances at the moment is going to have an affect on the World Cup squad announcement,” added the academy graduate.
“So I just want to keep moving forward and keeping putting my best foot forward when I’m playing for Cardiff.
“I was obviously disappointed to miss out this time but I have to move past that quite quickly.
“I just want to do the best that I can for Cardiff and that starts this weekend.”
Tickets are available for Cardiff’s remaining home league fixtures against Benetton Rugby (February 18) and Ulster (March 4), with the Challenge Cup last 16 clash against Sale Sharks (April 1) also on general sale. Click HERE to purchase yours now.