Danny Wilson insists his side must step up to another level during Saturday's Judgement Day V clash with Ospreys at Principality Stadium.
Cardiff Blues go into the match following an enthralling performance at Kingspan Stadium, where they claimed a 24-24 draw against an impressive Ulster side, who were looking to extend a six match win streak and strengthen their claim for a Guinness PRO12 semi-final spot.
Wilson was encouraged by aspects of the performance in Belfast, and is expecting his squad to be highly motivated for a massive occasion at the national stadium.
“Hopefully we can go up another level because we’re all aware we need to go up another level to play a very good Ospreys team,” said Wilson.
“Judgement Day is a great occasion, we’re playing against a very good opposition and I’m sure the boys will be right up for it and motivated.
“We’re coming off the back of a huge game in Ulster, where it was one of the quickest and highest ball-in-play times I’ve seen in a Guinness PRO12 game, and was closer to an international.
“That’s taken its toll, and we’ve had to look after the boys at the start of the week, but I’m also fully aware they’ll be motivated and itching to get out there and play in a big game in the stadium.
“We’ve seen recently, having some of our more experienced players back has made a difference to the way we play, in the past three to four weeks especially.
The Blues go into the final three games of the Guinness PRO12 regular season having secured a play-off spot for the opportunity to qualify for next season’s European Champions Cup.
Wilson believes the opportunities handed to some of the region’s most promising youngsters during the final stages will be invaluable in future campaigns.
“For the last three game that we’ve had, bar an unacceptable 14 minutes against Gloucester, the rest of the three performances have been really good, with the ball especially, we’ve played some really good rugby.
“We took Leinster to within a point, which is the closest for a few years, and then a draw out in Ulster which could’ve resulted in a win, and is a credit to the group.
“We have a squad where we have quality but we don’t have quality in depth, and that means it’s great for exposing players but it doesn’t always give you the result you want consistently.
“The opportunity is there for some of the young players, like Rhun Williams, who played extremely well last week, and Keiron Assiratti and Corey Domachowski, two very good prospects in the front row, who’ve had opportunities recently. That will hold them in good stead and hold us in good stead long term.”