Angus O’Brien says the Scarlets will look to carry the confidence from their emphatic Boxing Day win over the Ospreys into their next derby assignment against Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park on Friday night.
The fly-half produced a man-of-the-match display at the heart of the 44-0 victory, his second successive award on the back of an outstanding performance earlier in the month against Bayonne.
He was also the first player in the Guinness PRO14 this season to produce a hat-trick of try assists in one game.
“It was a massive occasion and a massive result for us, the changing room was buzzing afterwards,” said O’Brien.
“We were all extremely disappointed after the Dragons game, but the good thing was we were able to get back on the field five days later and were able to take out that frustration on the Ospreys.”
O’Brien missed the majority of his first season at Parc y Scarlets after picking up a serious knee ligament injury during a European Champions Cup clash against Racing 92.
“Last year was obviously disappointing to pick up the injury and have to sit and watch on the sidelines, but I have kept my head down, worked hard and just been patient waiting for my opportunity,” he added.
“When you pick up an injury like that you have got to try and use the time positively and work on other aspects of your game and be ready when that opportunity comes. Rugby is full of highs and lows and the Ospreys game was definitely a high.
“Every time you have the opportunity you go out and try and express yourself. There are four good tens at the region, I am fully aware of that, and every time I take the field I try and do my best for the team and see what happens..
“Brad (Mooar) is very positive, he gives you that freedom and confidence to go out and play and express yourself and that is what I have tried to do.”
Looking forward to Friday’s clash with an in-form Cardiff Blues side, O’Brien added: “Off the back of that performance against the Ospreys, we will be full of confidence.
“The Blues play good attacking rugby, we will do our research, look at ways to stop them playing and also look at opportunities for us to play our game.”