Macauley Cook reckons home advantage could be crucial against Munster and is hoping for a bumper crowd for the Guinness PRO14 clash at Cardiff Arms Park tomorrow (5.30pm).
The Blues are aiming to both avenge a defeat to the Irish province earlier in the season and continue their form following an impressive victory over Toyota Cheetahs last weekend.
It is the second in a sequence of four consecutive PRO14 fixtures, which could prove pivotal in the context of the Blues’ season.
Cook is determined to build on last weekend’s 25-20 victory and has called on the Cardiff Blues faithful to pack Cardiff Arms Park for the crucial clash.
He said: “Munster are obviously a difficult team, we know what they will bring, they will be very direct and even with some Irish boys missing they will be strong because they have so much strength in depth.
“But we’re at home and that’s a massive advantage for us, we’re used to playing on that pitch and in front of our home crowd.
“We like to play our way on that pitch and hopefully we can cause them some problems and deal with their direct game in defence.
“The crowd certainly makes a massive difference. When you’re playing you notice them, especially when you’re attacking in the 22 and the crowd start piping up and singing.
“That definitely inspires you on which is great and there’s nothing better than playing at a packed Arms Park. Hopefully the crowd will be big and they can spur us on to a home performance and a good result.”
There were elements of frustration following the Cheetahs victory, with an overriding feeling that a bonus-point was left on the pitch.
The Blues weathered a South African storm in the closing stages and while Cook knows it was far from ideal, he reckons he and his teammates can take a huge amount of confidence from their defensive effort.
He added: “It was quite a sloppy game in certain phases, the weather didn’t help and it was difficult at times but we were really happy with the result and to get the ball rolling.
“You take a lot of confidence from holding a team out at the end. Sometimes that’s the best way to win, the coaches won’t say that they would like to be a good few points in front and so would we.
“We got ourselves in a bit of a situation at the end but the boys dug deep for each other, worked hard for each other and they were fighting hard for each other. Luckily enough we managed to hold them out for the all-important win.”
Tickets for Cardiff Blues v Munster at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, February 17, (5.30pm) are still available and can be purchased by clicking here or calling 029 20 302030.