Jason Harries insists that competitions for places within the squad will only benefit Cardiff Blues ahead of the new campaign.
The former Wales Sevens player believes the players have stepped up over the summer, in a bid to claim a starting spot for the season opener against Leinster at the Arms Park on August 31.
“There’s obviously competition, and everyone wants that starting spot against Leinster in that first PRO14 game on that Friday night,” said Harries.
“It’s healthy competition, and it can only help the team to grow and develop. Everyone is biting at that opportunity to prove themselves during pre-season.”
The former Scarlets, Carmarthen Quins and London Scottish wing made the switch to Wales’ Capital Region from Edinburgh over the summer.
He made his debut for the Scottish outfit at the Arms Park last season, but is delighted to be able to call the iconic stadium ‘home’ for the 2018/19 campaign.
Harries said: “It was nice to change it around this time, and run out in that blue shirt. It’s great to be back in Wales playing for my home region, as I live in Cardiff.
“Conditions doesn’t help, but, being out on the wing, you just try to come in and work hard to get your hands on the ball. All-in-all I think I fared well.
“It was obviously great to get over the try line on my first game for the region. It was tough conditions out there, and I don’t think it stopped raining throughout the 80 minutes.
“To get for that try was good, but in the end we didn’t come away with the victory we were hoping to get.
“We had penalty advantage, and tried to play it through the hands, but Fishy saw me out on the touch line and he knew where I was.
“It was a great piece of individual brilliance from Fishy to put that kick in, and it sat up nicely for me to run it in.
“Towards the second half, we controlled the ball a little bit better, kicked in the right areas and put the pressure back on Leicester.”