Danny Wilson admits Cardiff Blues are now entering a "season-defining" period which kicks-off with Sunday's Guinness PRO12 clash with Connacht at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park (1.05pm).
Following four weeks of European and Anglo-Welsh Cup action, the attention turns back to the Championship.
During the next series of matches the Blues face the Irish province, Benetton Treviso and Munster on soil, as well as a trip to Edinburgh.
Wilson’s side are currently six points adrift of the all-important top half of the table but he insists they now have the opportunity to make up ground.
He said: “We know Connacht is the start of a huge block for us – Connacht at home, Treviso at home, Edinburgh away and Munster back home during the Six Nations period.
“We have a rough idea of what we have to do to finish tin the top six. We have had a couple of blows in the league that have dented that but we’re sat seventh at the moment and we have picked up some wins, which we didn’t manage last season.
“It’s now the start of a four game block that has the capability of defining our season.
“Three of the teams are below us in the league and the other (Munster) at the top we beat away from home. When you look at that result now it was quite an achievement.”
Wales’ Capital Region used the block of Anglo-Welsh matches to give some first team players some much-needed rest and others game-time.
The squad is now re-energised and focused for the Guinness PRO12 and an extensive injury list has begun to ease.
But Wilson is fully aware that the reigning champions will be formidable opposition on Sunday afternoon.
He added: “We are fully aware we need our best players available to us, we’re starting to get some of them back and we need to improve some of the inconsistencies we’ve seen.
“Ultimately it’s about the league, it’s about the top six and the next four games will be massive.
“The ones that are least effected by the Six Nations are Connacht so we know what a tough fixture that will be – they are the league champions.”
Tickets for the encounter are still available and can be purchased by clicking here or calling the ticket office on 029 20 302030.
There are a number of ticket offers available, including three for the price of two and season members can bring a friend for just £10.