Shane Lewis-Hughes is hungry for silverware with his home region, having been inspired by the 2018 Challenge Cup success in Bilbao.
The back row was in the first team environment as an academy youngster as Wales’ Capital Region lifted their second title in the Basque country.
Since then, Lewis-Hughes has broken into the first team, making impact in the back row and has gone on to win his first international cap for Wales during the autumn series.
But the 23-year old is fully focused upon his return to regional colours as John Mulvihill’s side open their European campaign against an in-form Newcastle Falcons side who have picked up three wins from three in the Gallagher Premiership.
“I remember in 2018, when we won this competition, and I remember watching the boys playing that game and the celebrations afterwards,” said Lewis-Hughes.
“All the boys said the memories they had from that is amazing and you want to be involved in moments like that. That’s what you aspire to as a player.
“You want to be involved in those big moments, when the pressure is on, and winning competitions like that makes you realise why you play rugby.
“It’s amazing and is something I want to be involved in.
“Hopefully I’ll get the chance in my career to be involved in moments like that and win silverware.
“I really believe that we can do that as a squad. We have the squad and we have boys who work hard enough to accomplish that.
“Newcastle have had a really good start to the season, and we’re expecting a massive game.
“We’d be stupid to think anything less, but we’re looking forward for the challenge and seeing where we’re at.
“As a player, what you should be looking to do is always upping your game, seeing what you can do better, reflecting on the games you have played and try to bring that to whichever team you play for.
“You’re always looking to put your best foot forward no matter what.
“When you’re selected on the weekend to represent Cardiff Blues, you’ve got a job to do to represent Cardiff Blues in the proper way.
“That’s about playing our best rugby so we’re looking forward to that challenge and putting our best foot forward for the Blues.”
The back row star, known as ‘Crazy Shane’ by his team-mates due to his commitment and determination to be the best, went on to pick up three caps over the autumn campaign.
The academy product, returns to the starting line-up at Kingston Park on Friday, was thrilled to have achieved a life-long dream and enjoyed learning from some of Wales’ most accomplished internationals.
The flanker added: “It was a very good experience and I was very grateful to be called up. The shock surprise came then when I selected to play against Scotland.
“So it all hit me at once having not initially been in the squad. I was lucky enough to be involved in three Tests, against Scotland, Ireland and England, and all-in-all it was a great experience and I learned a lot.
“I was really nervous before the first game but overall looking back at it, it was good.
“There’s a couple of stuff that I would’ve liked to have done better but that’s like any game. There’s always stuff to improve on and do better.
“Now I can reflect on that experience and see what I can do to get back into the squad.
“It’s the kind of winning environment that I love and it was brilliant to be involved with people who were like-minded and wanted to be the best.
“When you go up there, there are individuals like Alun Wyn Jones who are relentless in terms of what he demands from himself and everyone else.
“That can only make you better. It pushes your standards and makes sure you’re on your a-game every time you step on the training paddock and on the weekend.
“It was great to learn a lot from individuals up there. You learn one or two things and learn what it takes to play international rugby.
“If you can add a couple of things into your training week when you learn from the likes of Alun and Tipuric and people of that standard.
“You see what they do and try to bring one or two of those things into your game and into training.
“So overall it does make you slightly better by adding strings to your bow.”