Centre Dafydd Hewitt has revealed how much the Cardiff Blues players are relishing a first taste of RaboDirect PRO12 rugby on the new-look Arms Park pitch this Friday night (kick-off 7.05pm).
Cardiff Blues welcome Connacht Rugby in Round 2 of the competition as the new artificial Arms Park pitch hosts league rugby for first time.
It will be an historic night for Blues with the pitch officially unveiled prior to kick-off by Chairman Peter Thomas and WRU Chairman David Pickering.
Blues played Sale Sharks in pre-season and ran out impressive winners. And Hewitt admitted the team were excited about the prospect of getting back out on the playing surface once more.
“We’re all looking forward to getting back out on the pitch,” he said. “We put 40 plus points on Sale Sharks in pre-season and that shows how we can play. Ultimately, as the season progresses we should be more used to it than other sides.
“We would like to play an expansive game when the time is right to do that. You have to do the nitty-gritty stuff and earn the right to do it. But obviously the pitch will help allow us to play.
The Blues will be looking to bounce back from last Friday’s 22-15 defeat away to Glasgow in their opening Pro12 fixture and Hewitt acknowledged that discipline would be a crucial factor.
“It was a gutsy performance by the boys and a point was consolation. I don’t think many teams will go up there and do that this season,” said Hewitt.
“Discipline has been a massive message this week. Connacht have got our old team-mate Dan Parks at fly-half and he will kick the penalties from anywhere if we concede them, so it’s of the utmost importance to keep our heads about us.
“We never have an easy game against them (Connacht). There are no easy games in the league this season. We expect them to bring a strong side, but we will be aiming to better them.”
Tickets remain on sale NOW for the first RaboDirect PRO12 game of the season at Cardiff Arms Park. Call the Box Office on 02920 302030 or click HERE to buy online.