The Blues head down the M4 motorway to Swansea to take-on their regional rivals on Saturday. The Guinness Pro12 showdown will pit the likes of Wales captain Sam Warburton against star flanker Justin Tipuric, a wing battle between Eli Walker and Alex Cuthbert, Scott Baldwin versus hooker rival Kristian Dacey and an intriguing matchup between Dan Biggar and Rhys Patchell at outside-half. And Wilson is expecting the intensity to be cranked up come kickoff.
He said: “At the end of the day, these are like Welsh trials, as we know. I’m sure from training this week that the boys are extremely motivated. It’s a derby match so it adds another level of intensity and it’s the closest thing to an international because of that.
“We are going to a side that, on the last two performances, are playing really well and have done well in Europe with their internationals back. They are well drilled and a challenge for us. But if there is ever a game to get you motivated, whether you are a coach or a player, it is a derby. We are looking forward to the away trip and the task ahead of us.
“Our whole focus is improving on field and improving this group of players – both tactically and technically. We need hard work in a training environment. We’ve had a longer turnaround between games and that gives us a spark in terms of the training week.
“I want us to go into the game in a fresh state, mentally and physically, and well prepared. We know going to the Ospreys and getting a performance is a priority.”
The Blues were dealt a blow with the news that flanker Ellis Jenkins will be out for six weeks after he damaged ligaments in his knee in the Challenge Cup defeat to Harlequins.
