Cardiff Blues may have turned a corner but the hard work is just beginning, according to coach Dale McIntosh who believes his side face a massive challenge this weekend. Cardiff have triumphed in their last two RaboDirect PRO12 matches but have not won three in a row in the competition since November 2011. The Blues take on Scarlets on Sunday at the Millennium Stadium looking to make it three wins on the bounce. However, the omens are not good for Cardiff who have not been victorious at the Millennium Stadium since they beat Toulouse there in the European Cup quarter final in April 2009. Moreover, The Blues have only won once in their last six attempts against fellow Welsh Regions when they claimed a 21-13 victory at home to the Dragons on New Year’s Day. And, while their recent form might indicate a change in the wind for Cardiff, McIntosh thinks his side need to keep their feet on the ground. “I think we have turned 'a' corner but not 'the' corner with recent results. We've improved and we've won two games, but it's only two games,” he said. “We face a formidable challenge on Sunday and perhaps we will see where we really are. It's only two games we have won and we need to keep building. “We want passion and desire from our players. We will need that tenacity and edge. “The senior players coming back in has helped us; the likes of Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Alex Cuthbert. “That promotes accountability, firstly in training and secondly in the game. “We don't players to drift through the week because what you do in training you take into the game. The senior players get out there and make the youngsters understand that is not acceptable. “We can bang the drums all we want as coaches, and we do that, but that is all we are: coaches. “Accountability comes on the pitch when the guys are next to you on the battlefield. When he is shouting at you that is when you have to stand up and take notice.” The good news for Cardiff is that Matthew Rees is set to make his first start since returning to action and centre Dafydd Hewitt and lock Bradley Davies are also set to appear. Meanwhile Scarlets have four of the region’s key players back in action as John Barclay, Samson Lee, Phil John and Gareth Davies returning to the side after missing last week’s Zebre clash. Scarlets have also put together back-to-back wins against Connacht and Zebre, but have slipped to three straight defeats against Welsh opponents in the PRO12. And it is the lack of form against other Welsh sides that has head coach Simon Easterby concerned. However, while Easterby might be concerned he can take solace in the fact that his side have been victorious on both of their previous visits to the Millennium Stadium – beating Bath there in the Anglo-Welsh semi-final in 2006 and overcoming the Dragons in last season's "Judgement Day" double header. Furthermore, the Scarlets have won their last eight encounters with Cardiff Blues in all tournaments since the Blues victory at Parc y Scarlets in the PROI2 in April 2010. “We have three derby games coming up and they're all key for us – particularly as we have not won a Welsh derby this season,” said Easterby. “There's more at stake than just league points. We have plenty to play for in our remaining games but we're not looking past the Blues on Sunday. “I think with everyone that's fit and available it's a good trial for international players, matching up against each other – places up for grabs like to think that the players are playing for their regions first and foremost though.” At Millennium Stadium, 2pm. Live on BBC WALES Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 16th competition game) Assistant Referees: Sean Brickell, Simon Rees (WRU) Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU) TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)
