AFTER two weekends off the boys are back in action in Italy tomorrow evening – and it’s a massive game as preparations intensify for the European showdown with Cardiff Blues.

The Guinness Pro12 clash against Treviso is important in terms of our league campaign but it’s also perfect preparation for our huge Challenge Cup quarter-final at Rodney Parade on Easter Saturday.

The squad went over to play London Welsh in a training game last weekend to keep things ticking over; keeping the mind switched on with our team plays and ensuring the body is match fit is important in preparations for a vital part of the season.

We need to go out to Treviso and get a win – something that we have never done yet – so that we go into the derby in high spirits.

Getting over that mental barrier is the first step towards winning and one thing that can always be said about the Italians, as they have proved this year, is that they are a physical bunch.

That ferocity can be overcome by fighting fire with fire and by also playing attacking, positive rugby – as long as it is in the right areas.

The boys signed off with a great win against title hopefuls Ulster in the Pro12 before a break while the LV= Cup was completed and will be determined to pick up where they left off.

Every player selected will know that it’s a great chance to stake a claim for a place against the Blues in a game that everyone is desperate to be a part of.

It is a real blow for me personally not to be available for selection in this massive game but I will certainly enjoy watching it.

It’s 1-1 with the Blues this season, us winning at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Boxing Day and them turning the tables on New Year’s Day, and if we can get one over them then it would give us a massive psychological edge for rest of the season and next year.

I know there are still tickets available for the quarter-final but it’s going to be a big crowd and a great atmosphere which reminds me of times of old when a group of us NHSOB would watch the match and re-enact it on the cabbage patch not long after! BT Sport are sponsoring a marquee and seeing that bustling again would be great for the region.

I look forward to a packed house to increase the intimidation factor against the old enemy.

Selection headaches are inevitable for this big encounter and having strength in depth to compete for places is essential to a successful club.

It’s been good to see some of our young flankers catching the eye in recent weeks. James Benjamin and Scott Matthews have performed well for the Dragons while Ollie Griffiths was sensational for Wales in the Under-20s Six Nations.

‘Jumbo’ and Ollie look set to feature in Treviso and it shows that if you prove your worth and perform consistently then you will get your chances.

I know from experience – playing and now coaching with Newport – that there is a tempo change from club to regional rugby. Everything is so much faster so your decisions need to be as well while the intensity of training goes up a fair few notches.

But I would say that if you can prove yourself in the Principality Premiership as a forward then it bodes well for your future. Survive and thrive there and you can survive anywhere.

I’d go as far as saying that the contact area battle can be tougher at times and there are so many good players in that league that pride themselves on being destructive that area. Managing that is vital at any level.

That’s something that Nic Cudd did over the years for Llanelli and since joining the Dragons he has established himself as one of the best players at the breakdown in the Guinness Pro12.