Danny Wilson insists his squad will learn the lessons from their disappointing Guinness PRO14 defeat to reigning champions, the Scarlets.
Cardiff Blues were left 18-3 adrift following a first-half in which they never got going at Parc y Scarlets.
Injuries and indiscipline did not help their cause but Wilson was pleased with the way they fought back to 18-17 mid-way through the second period thanks to tries from Willis Halaholo and Lloyd Williams on his 150th appearance.
However, victory was not to be as the Scarlets capitalised on errors to deny the Blues even a losing bonus-point.
While disappointed with the result, Wilson believes the encounter will prove an invaluable experience for his young guns.
He said: “It was an ugly old derby, not the best we have seen and I thought their quality shone through.
“It was a great experience for some very young players to get a first taste of a derby at this level but they deserved their win.
“I’m pleased that we got ourselves back into the game by scoring two tries. There was a lot of hard work and character from us to get back into the game but not enough to get a point.
“My role now is to make sure we get these boys through and at the moment that is what we have available to us.
“Three injuries very early didn’t help – the 10 you have worked with all week and in the last three games, Dillon not lasting long, Nick’s yellow card, Blaine Scully as well. That derailed us a bit so I am pleased the boys got themselves back and at one point it was a one-point game.
“Derbies are a very different level, a different intensity and that was a big learning curve for a lot of players tonight but one that will stand them in good stead for the future.”
The Blues return to Cardiff Arms Park next Saturday when they face Zebre in a game Wilson insists his side must win.
That would have been a much easier proposition in previous season but the Italian outfit have been in impressive form in 2017-18. They stand fifth in the Championship table, having notched up wins over the likes of Ulster and the Cheetahs.
Wilson added: “They’ve beaten Ulster recently and are certainly playing very differently – we have looked at them in detail as a coaching group and it’s certainly very different from the traditional Zebre that we are used to and know.
“But we have to focus on ourselves, there are a number of players we need to patch up and will hopefully have one or two returning. It will be a tough home game and one we need to win.”
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