Dai Young is expecting another electric atmosphere at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, as the Blue and Blacks prepare to welcome Dragons to the capital (KO 5.15pm).
In front of a lively crowd of 8,161 supporters, Cardiff Rugby bounced back from a defeat to Vodacom Bulls with an impressive victory over Cell C Sharks, courtesy of tries by Willis Halaholo and Matthew Morgan.
The director of rugby says there is no doubt that support from the stands hands his side a boost as he calls on his squad to show further improvement when the welcome Dean Ryan’s side.
“The crowd, you have to mention, because over the last couple of games they’ve been outstanding,” said Young.
“We’ve had good numbers here and it’s great to see the Arms Park nearly full
“The way they got behind the team and for the players coming off the field, it was the first thing they mentioned.
“It was great to hear the singing and cheering of the home supporters getting right behind the team.
“It does make a difference and we’re hoping for more of the same on the weekend. It would be great to see a lot of Dragons supporters here as well.
“There’s always good banter between both sets of supporters but we have a responsibility on the field to give them something to cheer about.
“Hopefully they come out in their numbers and have a really enjoyable occasion.
“We have that feeling that, win, lose or draw, it’s about us getting better both individually and collectively.
“We’re trying to keep on an even keel rather than getting on an emotional rollercoaster.
“That’s what we’re trying to sell to the players and that’s what we’re trying to maintain.
“It’s pretty balanced when we come in on a Monday. We’re looking for things we did well, and stuff we can continue to build on, but just as important is looking what didn’t go well and learning from each game.
“We could see a bit of deja vu in terms of how the game went. We had a very good first half, but in the second we struggled to get the ball.
“When we did get the ball, we were better with it and not as careless as the week before. We didn’t give Sharks as many opportunities as we did for the Bulls.
“It’s another game that could’ve gone either way, and we know that. But I was pleased by the attitude, commitment and desire to get the win.
“We want to playing against these oppositions. We want to be tested and challenged to improve and stick with them.
“We thoroughly enjoyed our two games against South African franchises and we learnt a lot from them.”
Three points and three places separate the sides in the United Rugby Championship table, with Cardiff currently sitting in seventh after two wins from four.
Despite both sides missing their international players, Young expects the intensity to remain high as players look to lay down a marker in a fiery Welsh derby encounter.
“You certainly make sure that you’ve got a squad mentality leading into these games [over the international period],” added the former Wales prop.
“You make sure that everyone knows what’s expected of them in each position and you’d like to think they can transfer that into the jersey.
“It’s not quite as easy as that, but we’d certainly like to think that the boys stepping up are looking forward to their opportunity and to put their hands up.
“When Cardiff go out there to play Dragons, it’s a big rivalry and everyone wants to get that result.
“Going into it, I believe we’re well prepared so there will be no excuses.
“We may have to narrow our game a little bit, to make sure that we do the basics well and we can build from there.
“They’ve kicked on from where they were last season. I’ve spent a lot of time analysing results and they were the most improved team last year.
“Although they may not have picked up as many wins as they would’ve liked, there was a lot of one-score games that could’ve gone either way.
“They’ve kicked on again and they’re a force to be reckoned with, especially up front.
“They’re missing six of their real big ball carriers, who have played really well for them this season, but I’m sure Dean will have a few things up his sleeve.
“The boys coming in to fill those holes will not want the performances to go back. They’ll come in and kick on in order to put their hands up as well.”