Ellis Jenkins is determined to secure a long-awaited derby victory over the Ospreys in the Guinness PRO12.
Cardiff Blues have not overcome their Swansea-based rivals in their last 10 attempts but go into the encounter on the back of their best start to a league season.
They have won four out of their five opening games, while the Ospreys opened the season with three maximum point victories.
Jenkins expects a full blooded encounter at the Liberty Stadium but he insists Wales’ Capital Region are treating it just like any other game.
He said: “The record is something we are not too happy about, it’s the only derby we lost last year and we lost both of them so it’s definitely something we are looking to put right and it starts with a big opportunity on Friday night.
“We play to be involved in the big games, they have come off a good start to the season, we’ve come off a good start to the season, both of us lost our last game and are both looking to put things right so it should be a good occasion.
“It’s a big game against local rivals so we would love to win but it’s also a chance for us to get back on the right track and nothing more.”
Wales’ Capital Region have quickly moved on from their agonising 16-13 defeat to Leinster at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.
While disappointed they have taken solace in the fact that they could, and perhaps should, have, won the encounter and now is the chance to get back to winning ways.
He said: “We gave ourselves opportunities to win the game and that’s what we’re looking for, especially against a top team like Leinster. To push them close and have enough chances to win
“We are not happy because we lost but it’s not time to hit the panic button, it was a close game, it happens and how we bounce back will be the true test of the squad.
“Every game in this competition is a test, we have to prepare slightly different for each team and what they bring. Ospreys bring some different things to Leinster and have to be prepared for that.”
Much is being made of a potential personal showdown with the Ospreys’ Justin Tipuric and Jenkins knows he faces an accomplished competitor.
But the focus is very much on his own game and imposing himself in the mouth-watering encounter.
He added: “His ball skills are incredible, he seems to make the right decisions and the right times and like any other flanker he works hard and gets through a lot of work.
“I have to play my own game, I’m slightly different to Tips and all I can focus on is being as good as I can be and something he also has to deal with. It’s not something that daunts me, it’s an opportunity to test myself against a player that has achieved what he has.”