Warren Gatland will get the chance to run the rule over two of next year’s World Cup opponents this week with Uruguay playing against Cardiff Blues tonight and the Wallabies coming to the Principality Stadium on Saturday night. The Uruguayans conceded 10 tries on their first visit to the Welsh capital when they crashed to a 66-22 defeat to Wales A at the Millennium Stadium on 24 November, 2001.

Gethin Jenkins will call time on his illustrious career after this Sunday’s Guinness PRO14 clash with Zebre at Cardiff Arms Park (2.45pm). The Wales record-appearance maker has been battling back from a chronic knee injury and made two appearances for Cardiff Blues A in the Celtic Cup.

John Mulvihill has pointed the finger at his players for failing to follow the game plan after they became the first team in the Guinness Pro 14 to lose to the Toyota Cheetahs. The Blues coach was also left frustrated by what he felt was a wrong decision by referee Lloyd Linton he claimed titled the game away from the visitors in South Africa. But most of the Australian’s anger was directed at his own side who have now lost the momentum created by four successive victories with back-to-back defeats.

It’s been a long time coming, but the prospect of Gareth Anscombe finally becoming the first choice Wales No.10 has never looked closer. Four years since he left New Zealand, the full benefits of that Welsh-born mother should finally pay off, says Harri Morgan. It’s possible to experience a certain joy when watching a maligned investment transition into a dead set winner. There is a sense of deep satisfaction derived not only from the validation of an ability to recognise strong fundamentals, but also from an outcome that vindicates all that patience and trust.

John Mulvilhill admitted Cardiff Blues “let themselves down” as an error-strewn defeat at home to Glasgow Warriors punctured the early optimism of their Heineken Champions Cup campaign. Just a week after their impressive win over Lyon in France, the Blues flopped in front of their own fans – losing 29-12 at the Arms Park. The result leaves the Blues already struggling to qualify for the knockout stages after just two rounds.

Owen Lane may be the only new face in the Wales squad due to be named by Warren Gatland for the autumn series. Lane, the 20-year-old Cardiff Blues wing who scored two tries against the Dragons in his region’s recent derby victory, limped off after helping his side to a thrilling Heineken Champions Cup victory in Lyon at the weekend, but is not considered likely to miss any action. The versatile former Wales U20 player, who can also play at centre, could be the only uncapped player in a probable 36-man group for games against Scotland, Australia, Tonga and South Africa next month.

Wales hopeful Owen Lane could make a rapid recovery from the injury that saw him limp off during the final moments of Cardiff Blues’ dramatic victory in Lyon. The Blues wing appeared to have pulled a hamstring close to the end of his team’s stunning 30-21 victory in France and appeared to be facing a long lay-off. But 20-year-old Lane – who is a contender for a Wales wing spot in the autumn series – could feature for the Blues in their next Heineken Champions Cup tie at home to Glasgow Warriors on Sunday.

Gareth Anscombe earned huge praise from Cardiff Blues coach John Mulvihill after delivering a stunning performance that might well propel him into Wales’ starting team for the autumn. The New Zealand-born player scored 20 points – a tally that included a breath-taking solo try – as the Blues stunned Lyon with a 30-21 victory in France. Not only did in get the Blues’ Heineken Champions Cup campaign off to a flying start, but the moments of class from Anscombe might just be enough to make him the Wales No.10 for November, five years after he first arrived in Wales.

It’s the pressing issue of our time. . . Europe and the question of whether the Scarlets and the Cardiff Blues are heading for a soft or hard pool stage when the Heineken Champions Cup kicks-off this weekend. Robin Davey reckons the Scarlets will go deeper into the tournament, with the Ospreys to do likewise in the Challenge Cup, whilst the Dragons have to show signs of improvement. Europe is the big arena in more ways than one, but on the rugby front the Scarlets and Cardiff Blues head into Heineken Champions Cup action this weekend while for the Ospreys and Dragons it’s the Challenge Cup competition. The Scarlets have the European pedigree, they are more than used to playing in the top tier and reached the semi-final stage last season, while for the Blues it’s a welcome return to the main event.

Samu Manoa will be entering a blood-thirsty French battle ground when he makes his Cardiff Blues debut this weekend – but only from the replacements’ bench. The American back rower of Tongan descent will make his long-awaited first appearance for the Blues away to Lyon in the opening round of the Heineken Champions Cup on Sunday if he is sent on. Blues coach John Mulvihill had claimed earlier in the week that Manoa would be starting the game, but has changed his mind and instead drafted his new signing onto the bench.

Bernard Jackman has pleaded with long-suffering Dragons fans for more of their deep supplies of patience as their winless streak in all-Welsh matches continues. The Dragons’ long wait for a regional derby win in the Guinness Pro 14 continues as they were stung by a second half revival by the Blues at the weekend. Two tries in the first quarter saw the home side race into a 12 point lead, but they were beaten 23-15 in the end as the Blues hit back with two tries in five minutes just after the hour mark.

Ollie Griffiths can make a major statement for Wales inclusion when he faces Ellis Jenkins on Saturday, but he insists that is far from his mind. Instead, the Dragons openside flanker will concentrate on trying to gain a first victory for his team in their derby fixture against the Cardiff Blues since 2014. Griffiths is a rival to Jenkins for the Wales No.7 shirt this season, following the retirement of Sam Warburton. But the former Wales U20 players says Guinness Pro 14 points will be thing uppermost in his mind, rather than impressing Warren Gatland.