The trio of Welsh festive derbies will be season-defining in Cardiff Blues' hunt for Champions Cup qualification, according to Matt Sherratt.
Wales’ Capital Region are set for three Guinness PRO14 Welsh derbies in 11 days, starting with a trip to take on Dragons at Rodney Parade on Boxing Day.
Danny Wilson's side welcome defending champions, Scarlets, to the Welsh capital on New Year's Eve, before visiting Ospreys on January 6.
Sherratt is excited for the Boxing Day showdown against Bernard Jackman's side, and insists the Blues' focus this week has been entirely on the trip to Newport.
"It’s a very busy period for us. We’re fourth in the PRO14 and top of our pool in Europe, so the next three weeks will probably decide if our Championship position goes north or south," said Sherratt.
"It’s three big games in a short space of time and they will have a big effect on the finishing look of the the table, and it’s the same two weeks after that in Europe.
"The next month to five weeks is a real key part of our season.
"We’ve got the derbies up first, and even though the game against Scarlets is hot on the heels after we face Dragons, we won’t look past the Dragons.
"Everything this week has been building towards an exciting Boxing Day at Rodney Parade, which I hear is a sell-out, and the players are looking forward to it.
"Danny spoke to the players today, and pointed out that Rodney Parade has a very good surface now with the desso pitch and it’s a sell-out.
"They play good rugby and are a much improved team, with new coaching staff and a fresh impetus of players, so it’s something to look forward to.
"With the type of people you’ve got in the room, the likes of Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees, they know what these derbies are about so you don’t need to sell that aspect to them.
"The exterior talk is about the derbies, and the boys will be playing against people who are very familiar to them, but it is our next PRO14 game and it is a derby, in that order."
Sherratt believes the busy schedule will test the depth of the Cardiff Blues squad, who have already been challenged with a long injury list over the past few months.
But the backs coach has been delighted to see the region's youngsters, such as Owen Lane and Aled Summerhill, step up to the plate when called upon.
Sherratt said: "These games will really test the depth of your squad, but one positive from the injuries is boys likes Owen Lane who have come in, following injuries to Tom James and Blaine Scully, and performed really well.
"Aled Summerhill is another who’s come in and played very well against Sale Sharks last week.
"When the depth of our squad has been tested, the young boys have stepped up and gone well.
"It’s probably the other way around now where our more experienced players are waiting to come back in. When they’re all fit there will be some tough selection decisions."