Cardiff trio set for 100th appearances against Ulster in Europe

Van Zyl was quick to praise the potential centurions.

“If you think about the last few weeks we’ve had a few debutants and then the ones who’ve walked a mile to get to 100 caps,” he told BBC Sport Wales.

“It’s a pleasure to work with those boys, they take on board the positives and negatives and try to make it better and all three of them are really big figures in the squad.

“Some you can joke around with, but then get serious with and do the job so from a coaches point of view they’re good people.”

Saturday’s fixture could prove to be an extra special day for Ben Thomas, with his four-week old son set to come and watch his father in person for the first time.

“I’m really excited, it’s been on my mind for a while now,” said Thomas.

“It’ll be a massive achievement for me, something I’ve always wanted to do.

“To have my family at this game will be really special to me, they don’t get to come often [with late kick-offs] so hopefully they can wrap up warm enough to be out here.

“If I can get a win in front of the family it’ll be brilliant.”

“Obviously growing up in Cardiff, it’s really special to make 100 games, but to do it for your home club is a huge thing.”

Thomas says he will taking inspiration from the team’s previous European successes.

“It’s a special competition, you only have to walk around this building to see all the photos of what happened in Bilbao in 2018 [winning the Challenge Cup final 31-30 against Gloucester].

“Every time you play in Europe it’s a chance to emulate the previous success we had.”

“I love coming back to the Arms Park to play, a big European game for my 100th, it feels like the stars are aligning.”