Nick Williams insists the Cardiff Blues squad are itching to prove a point during Friday’s Guinness PRO14 trip to take on Ulster.
The talismanic number eight returns to the line-up as captain for the Belfast clash, as he faces his former side at Kingspan Stadium.
Williams is well-aware of the difficult task ahead, but says they’re quietly confident following a good week of preparation in training.
“It’s going to be a hell of a task for us and I’m happy to have a crack at it” said the number eight.
“The boys had a good crack at Glasgow last time out, so to get back into the pack is exciting, and it’s special to come back here to Ravenhill.
“The defence has probably been a low-key of ours and as a team we want to right a few wrongs.
“We will get there. I know it’s going to be a tough ask tomorrow, but the boys are quietly confident.
“We’ve had a hell of a good week in training and we have a squad here that’s capable of doing the job tomorrow.
“We have a few young boys who will face this crowd for the first time tomorrow night, but the best way to keep them quiet, having played here myself, is give them a bit of rough from the first whistle.
“That will drown out the crowd, but regardless of that it will be a tough game and one we’re really looking forward to.
“We know they’re clinical and have a tough pack.
“But it’s probably a good time to play them because the likes of Hendy [Iain Henderson], Besty [Rory Best] and Jake [Jacob Stockdale] are still away at the World Cup.
“I’m sure it will be an exiciting contest and one I’m definitely looking forward to.”
Following the clash in the Northern Irish capital, the Blues will return to Cardiff Arms Park for back-to-back home games against Munster and Toyota Cheetahs.
Williams admits the squad are still desperate to show their potential but believes Friday’s encounter will be an opportunity to build momentum.
Williams added: “We’ve had a tough start to the season, and even with the bonus point win in Africa we were still below par to the standard that we can play to.
“Tomorrow will be a real tough one and if we can get over the line it will put us in good stead for Munster and Cheetahs.
“But as a group we haven’t looked any further than Ulster because we know how hard the task is going to be.”