Josh Turnbull insists Cardiff Blues 100 per cent start to the Guinness PRO12 season will count for nothing if they do not back it up against Zebre.
Wales’ Capital Region have started the season well with wins against Edinburgh, Munster and Glasgow Warriors.
But Danny Wilson’s men will be desperate for a win in Parma, having lost there twice in the past three years.
Turnbull said: “The start of the season will probably mean nothing unless we back it up this weekend against a Zebre team that we haven’t beaten there in a few games.
“We’ve come a little bit unstuck a few times out there, so we’ll have to go out there and get the win to put us in a better place again.”
Despite a heavy defeat on the opening weekend to Ospreys, Zebre have since shown promise in the league.
The Dragons had to fight hard to snatch an 11-6 win over the Italians, and their clash with Connacht was called off due to bad weather, while Zebre were 22-10 ahead.
Turnbull continued: “They can throw the ball about, and at home they’ve got such a strong pack as well and that’s something we’re going to have to deal with as a pack of forwards this weekend.”
The pack have provided a solid platform in recent weeks and the Wales international has also praised his side’s mentality and hard work over the first three games.
“Being behind in Munster and come back and get that winning score and then hold on to it for four to five minutes when, previously, you would’ve gone down there and Munster would’ve come at you a lot harder. So that was one scalp,” said Turnbull.
“To stand a Glasgow team and go through so many phases, in the last few minutes, is a credit to the work we put in on the field and off the field as well.
“Making sure we do our extras and make sure we know what to expect on the weekend. All credit to the boys, the team and the coaching staff as well.”