Josh Navidi remains as hungry as ever for regional success, as he returns to the Cardiff Blues set-up following his first NatWest 6 Nations campaign.
The back row made his tournament debut in the opening day win over Scotland, and played his part in four matches as Wales claimed second-place.
The 11-times capped international is now back in contention for his region ahead of Saturday’s crucial Challenge Cup quarter final against Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield.
Navidi is keen to continue his fine form as Wales’ Capital Region enter the business end of the season, and he has been impressed with his team-mates’ form during his absence.
“I am enjoying my rugby at the minute and that’s all that matters at the end of the day. Hopefully I can carry on here with the Blues and take it forward from there,” said Navidi.
“I came in last week just to make sure I was up to speed for this game, I’ve caught up on the calls and now I’m straight back into it.
“The attitude and positivity is there in training and the way the boys are playing. You can see they are playing with confidence.
“Getting those seven wins has been masssive and you can just see in the environment by the way the boys are training and playing that it’s had a good effect on us.
“Everything is on the line. The boys realise what’s at stake and the silverware at the end of the day.
“It’s knock out rugby now. The guys have been going well and hopefully we can put a performance in up there.
“Edinburgh have been going well. They’ve got a strong pack and a good back line. They are in form at the minute so it should be a good game.
“It should be a good occasion. I am sure there will be a lot of Blues fans making their presence known, with the drum banging, so hopefully we can make their trip worthwhile.”
It’s been eight years since Cardiff Blues became the first Welsh side to pick up an European trophy, when they lifted the Challenge Cup following victory over a star-studded Toulon side in Marseille.
Navidi made his debut during that season, and was amongst the non-playing squad members in attendance at the State Velodrome.
The back row has fond memories of the win in 2010, but insists he is determined to play part in similarly-big occasions with the region over the next few seasons.
“Funnily enough, I was there,” recalled Navidi. “I went out to watch the game.
“It was one of my first seasons. They took a couple of the younger boys who wanted to go out. We saw a bit of France and enjoyed watching the boys. It was good.
“Coming into that environment and feeling that atmosphere, those are games you want to be playing in.”