Danny Wilson has urged Cardiff Blues to claim another Welsh derby scalp to keep their hopes of a top six finish in the Guinness PRO12 alive.
Wales’ Capital Region take on the Ospreys at Judgement Day IV on Saturday and go into the encounter on the back of four consecutive league victories.
The winning streak has seen them surge up the table and they are now in a battle to secure top tier European rugby.
They have lost the last nine PRO12 clashes with the Swansea-based region but Wilson has called on his side to claim another milestone victory following four derby wins out of five so far this season.
He said: “We are fully aware of the challenges ahead of us but we have played a number of derbies recently and it culminates in this massive one. It’s one we are motivated and excited about.
“There are a few milestones we have managed to talk about and obtain this year – the double header with the Scarlets was a massive one for us.
“We hadn’t beaten them away from home in a number of years but we did that and now it’s another opportunity in the stadium against a very good side.”
The Blues must clip the Ospreys wings and beat Edinburgh on the final weekend of the regular PRO12 season to secure a top six finish.
Following six consecutive league defeats at the start of the season it has been a real change in fortunes as the squad has come together under a new regime.
But Wilson was always aware that the nature of the fixture list gave his side the opportunity to make a late charge.
He added: “We were fully aware that we had a number of home games at the tail end of the season, which gave us an opportunity after a pretty tough start with a lot of away games.
“We’ve managed to get those back with some good results and have given ourselves that opportunity.
“It’s in our hands to do so, there’s the mathematical side of things to consider but we have known for a number of weeks that these are must win games.
“What a place to be in a derby with the Ospreys when both sides are fighting for the same thing.
“It puts real excitement into the game and we have led into this with a bit of form.”
Tickets for Judgement Day IV are still available and start at £10 from wru.wales/tickets
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