Cardiff are mixing it with the heavy-hitters in the United Rugby Championship (URC), but face a festive period that will shape their season.
Scarlets visit the Arms Park on Friday night (19:45 GMT), Dragons are entertained on 26 December (15:00 GMT) then it is Ospreys away in Bridgend on New Year’s Day (17:30 GMT).
A healthy points haul would put the URC’s surprise package in a very strong position.
The Blue and Blacks suffered disruption on the eve of the 2025-26 campaign when it was confirmed head coach Matt Sherratt had left to lead Wales’ attack.
Assistant Corniel Van Zyl has stepped up and, despite not being given the official title of interim head coach, has guided Cardiff to second in the table.
They also edged out Ulster in the European Challenge Cup last weekend to ensure they will go into the January fixtures with hopes of the last 16.
Cardiff have won all four games at the Arms Park, left Munster with a pair of bonus points and beat Zebre in Parma.
Their Challenge Cup opener at Stade Francais, when a heavily rotated squad led at half-time, but then were overpowered, is the only pointless game so far.
