Lloyd Williams hopes Cardiff Blues can impose their attacking identity in Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 clash against Connacht.
Having been reduced to 14 men early in the second half, following Josh Turnbull’s red card, John Mulvihill’s side defended admirably to secure an opening day victory over Zebre last week.
Williams, who controlled proceedings in the number nine jersey, is expecting an exciting, open encounter at Rodney Parade and wants his side to make an early statement by putting another win on the board.
The scrum half said: “We defended really well against Zebre, especially when we went down to 14 men, but this week is a chance for us to really impose our attacking game.
“When you go down to 14 men, you don’t have much time to have a crack at the other team attacking-wise, so we’re hoping that we can put that in place this week.
“It’s very important that we back up that win from last week. We’ve been slow starters in the league in the past but we’ve spoken about how we can start games well.
“Hopefully that will transfer to the matches. We’re looking forward to it and it’s always a good, open game against Connacht because they like to chuck it around.
“It’s going to be a tough one and we’ll have to work really hard to get a good result.”
With crowds still unable to attend sporting fixtures in Wales, following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Welsh international has emphasised the importance of a fast start if his side are to create their own atmosphere in Newport.
“We’re unbeaten in Rodney Parade this year,” joked Williams.
“But in all seriousness, the biggest thing we’re missing is the crowd, and it would be nice to play in the Arms Park.
“But since there’s no crowd at the moment, it’s the same anywhere really.
“That’s the biggest thing we’re missing at the moment, so we’re just kind of looking at it as a field that we’re playing on right now.
“If we can perform well, especially at the start of the game, that will create the buzz for us on the field.
“It’s just a case of trying to start games well and encourage each other on the field, because that atmosphere won’t be coming from anywhere else.