Playmaker Rhys Patchell insists Cardiff Blues must not be daunted by facing Leinster Rugby at the RDS Arena in the Guinness PRO12 on Saturday evening (kick-off 5.15pm).
Patchell – fresh from his hat-trick of tries against Zebre Rugby on day one – is all set to pull on the No.10 jersey once more for the trip to Dublin.
Cardiff Blues will come up against an Irish province still smarting from opening day defeat to Edinburgh and keen to make amends on home soil.
And Patchell believes Cardiff Blues should be excited by what lies ahead and taking on the Irish giants.
“We are excited by the challenge and you have to be,” he said. “The RDS will be packed out, it always is regardless of the fact they have stars away at the Rugby World Cup.
“You can’t be daunted by it. Yes, it’s a big challenge, of course it is, but Zebre was a good start for us and we can look to get even better against Leinster.
“I’m enjoying the environment here and Danny (Wilson) is pushing the boys really hard. There is a good buzz and the boys are looking forward to Monday morning and coming to work.
“It’s a happy squad and we are demanding high standards from each other.”
Patchell tops the league points scoring charts after the opening round of fixtures as he helped himself to 17 points against the Italians.
However, the young fly half was refusing to get carried away by his try treble and also wants to return to his high goal kicking standards.
“I was just lucky to get on the end of all the boys hard work,” he smiled. “I had two line breaks to finish and I barged my way over try line - I’m indebted to the boys hard work.
“We probably kicked away a bit too much ball in the first 20 minutes against Zebre. We expected line speed off Zebre, which they came with, and we talked about managing the middle third of the pitch.
“As a ten I will take it on the chin and say we kicked too much early on. But second half the intent to play was really good and the yellow card before half-time forced us to go out and play knowing they would be a man down in defence.
“It was a good start but there is plenty to work on ahead of Leinster.
“In terms of the kicking, it’s not what I expect of myself. I feel I cost the boys a 70-point win and that will be something I will look to put right. I would like to think that’s not me and I’m better than that.
“It was one of those days. You get ugly days and you take it on the chin. I’m a big boy and 22 years-old now, it’s a set back and I’ve got to get busy getting better. It will be better next week and it will need to be against Leinster.”