Back row forward Macauley Cook is ready for a red-hot reception at Parc y Scarlets when Cardiff Blues face Scarlets in the final game of the RaboDirect PRO12 season on Saturday evening (kick-off 6.30pm).
Blues head into the game on the back of four successive league victories and eager to end the season on a high.
Cook revealed the game will also be an emotional affair for many of the Blues players as they leave the region for pastures new.
“A lot of players are obviously moving on this year, a lot of my friends who I have played with over the years, so it will be a sad, sad and I wish them all the best,” he said.
“In terms of our performance, we need to be more clinical, that is what we are looking to do now. The same sort of attitude as the Connacht game, keep the ball better and finish points when they come our way.
“Over the last few weeks we have believed in ourselves, known our roles and stuck to it,” he added, reflecting on the upturn in fortunes in recent weeks.
“We knew deep down that it would click and that seems to have happened in the last few weeks. It’s through a lot of hard work on the training pitch and it’s a great place to be at the moment.
“When you’re winning a game; that is what rugby is all about. We have worked hard and it has started to pay off. We need to keep the ball rolling now and keep up these results.
“We just gone back to basics the last few weeks and run through our basic structures. Everyone is singing off the same hymn sheet, everyone knows their roles and it’s great at the moment as you know the next guy is going to be exactly where he is supposed to be.
“We have one more game to go hopefully we win that, get five on the bounce and that will give us a lot of confidence going into next year.”
Cook has enjoyed an impressive season at the Arms Park, recently winning the Most Promising Player of the Season award to cap a year that has seen him operate at blindside flanker and lock.
He acknowledges that next season the competition for places will only get stronger with a player he is likely to face on Saturday – Josh Turnbull – making the summer switch from Scarlets to Blues.
And it is a challenge that Cook is eager to face adding: “I have thoroughly enjoyed this season and I have learnt a lot this year and looking forward to next season.
“There is massive competition with Josh coming in next year, but I thrive on that kind of competition. I think competition like that is healthy for a squad, it keeps people on their toes and it is going to make me a better player.
“I am sure Josh is a great player, I have seen him play a fair few times now and it is only going to help my game.”