Full back Dan Fish admits Cardiff Blues would love to enjoy a big cup run in Europe this season - but insists the focus is looking no further than Rugby Calvisano this weekend.
Cardiff Blues kick off the region’s involvement in Pool 3 at the Peroni Stadium in Italy this Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm local time).
Danny Wilson’s men have been paired alongside the Italians, French giants Montpellier and English big-hitters Harlequins this season in what the Head Coach admits could easily be a Champions Cup pool such is its strength.
Fish insists Cardiff Blues have the talent to make it to the knockout stages and better the European run that saw them make the last eight last season.
However, first up is a testing trip to Calvisano and – after the recent trip to Zebre – his insists nobody in the camp will be taking the test ahead for granted.
“The last game we had in Italy we didn’t play to our potential so we are looking to put that right,” said Fish, who has impressed in the No.15 jersey in the opening two months of the league campaign.
“We had a good performance last weekend against Glasgow but, ultimately, didn’t get the right result so this week we want both the performance and the points.
“We’ve seen footage of Calvisano and we will make sure we focus on getting our preparation right.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves; we have got to put the hard graft in. It’s not going to be easy and we have got to have that mindset.
“We’re in a tough group but you have got to be positive,” he added. “If we play to what we are capable of then we are good enough to get out of this pool.
“Last season we got out of the pool and we’ve won this competition before.
“We all want to go further and enjoy a run. But first up is Calvisano and we look no further than Saturday afternoon.”
Fish also revealed how much he is enjoying working under new Head Coach Wilson.
He added: “We haven’t had the results we wanted, but if we perform like we have in patches for 80 minutes then we can get results. Danny is very positive about us heading in the right direction.”