IT’S a time of year when enjoying the festive season in moderation can be tough, but the rewards are worth it to play in festive derbies.

While many of my friends are already off work and looking forward to a few weeks of indulgence, we can’t afford to relax and chill out too much with a pretty intense period of training, playing and resting up bodies.

There’s no doubt that temptation of food and drink is there but we have to keep an eye on the extra helping of Christmas pudding or the cheese and biscuits!

We want to be at our best because playing in front of packed houses in big battles against regional rivals is the highlight of the season for many.

This year we head to Cardiff Blues on Boxing Day and host the Ospreys at Rodney Parade on New Year’s Day.

We’ve been preparing hard for Monday and will do the finishing touches on Christmas Eve morning at a team run at our Ystrad Mynach training base (a 4G pitch, similar to the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park).

Dotting the Is and crossing the Ts is important to get the detail right, ready to continue our momentum thanks to our European Rugby Challenge Cup win against Worcester.

It was our fifth win on the bounce at ‘Rodders’ and we turned the tables and dominated against a Warriors side that was pretty much the same as the one that had overpowered us the previous week.

They had a man sent off but we were professional in the second half, although it was frustrating that we didn’t get our four-try bonus point because of the lack of a TMO.

Sure, it’s the second tier European competition but it was an important game between a Guinness Pro12 side and one from the Aviva Premiership.

The referee, David Wilkinson, didn't award a try when Adam Warren went over from a five-metre scrum, which was tough when he had no television assistance and that’s disappointing, but at least we got the reaction to loss in Worcester.

Obviously the aim is to now win away from Rodney Parade and we can have no excuses on Monday – most of our boys live in Cardiff anyway!

There are three or four really big games every season, whether derbies or European games, and I’d say this is the biggest.

Everyone is desperate to be involved and to try and repeat our win from Boxing Day two years ago.

It’s not just us professionals that have to try to remain 'compos mentis' because there is a full round of Principality Premiership action on Monday.

I’m thoroughly enjoying being part of the management team at Newport RFC, I’m a bit of a Jack of all trades as a player and it’s the same as a coach!

I help out in any way that I can – defence, attack plays and contact area – and I definitely feel that it is helping me develop as a player.

This week we prepared against Risca, our forward coach Ty Morris’ old side, to help us build towards a big derby with Cross Keys. We’ve done well to keep our top-eight hopes alive so hopefully that can continue at Pandy Park.

South Wales Argus:

I interview some of my teammates throughout the season, this week it’s the turn of our hooker Rhys Buckley.

Q: Hello Rhys, how's the Mayor of Caldicot finding this season?

A: I'm enjoying this season more than previous ones because in the past I have struggled with a few injuries and couldn't get a run of games together. Luckily the season has started well for me and I just hope it keeps going like that all year.

Q: You spent a few years out of the Welsh bubble at Moseley and Doncaster. Was it enjoyable and was it a worthwhile experience?

A: Leaving Wales was hard, especially so young. I thought it was the end of the world but it opened my eyes massively.

It's a different game over in England and as a front five forward it is based massively on set piece and I think it developed my game and I benefitted hugely.

Also was good to see one of the other wonders of the world that's is Doncaster town centre on a Saturday night…

Q: Contrary to belief you’re still a young man, what else do you do besides being a full-time rugby professional?

A: It's hard to imagine why people think I'm old, you know I still don't look a day over 21...

Beside training and playing, I also coach my local club Caldicot, who are currently playing in Division Two East. I enjoy this as playing professional rugby you pick up some good knowledge of the game and passing it down to your local club where your mates play is very rewarding.

Although I doubt they would say that when I'm making them do fitness for dropping balls in training!

Q: And what's in store for you after rugby?

A: After rugby, which I hope will be a good few years off yet, I would like to continue coaching in some sort of capacity.

I am also a qualified electrician after completing an apprenticeship with Corus, now Tata Steel, before signing my first professional contract. If I don't become the next Kingsley Jones then it's back to the tools for me!