Danny Wilson says he would have leapt at the offer of an unbeaten start to the Cardiff Blues’ Guinness Pro 12 campaign – despite dismissing their latest display as “average”. The Blues head coach saw his team secure their second place in the table after an edgy 23-21 victory in Italy against Zebre on Saturday.

Danny Wilson has been showered with praise by the coach who intends to end Cardiff Blues’ unbeaten start to the season on Friday night. Gregor Townsend – whose own Glasgow side have also begun their Guiness Pro 12 campaign with two victories – believes his Blues counterpart has transformed the region since he took over last year.

Cardiff Blues head coach Danny Wilson believes he finally has the kinds of headaches he always wanted. A year ago – not long after succeeding Mark Hammett – Wilson was often left with brain pain over how to shuffle his meagre resources.

Nick Williams can provide the power to light up the Arms Park this season, according to his Cardiff Blues coach Danny Wilson. Williams, signed from Ulster in the summer, provided the energy supplies for the Blues and one of their four tries as they hammered Edinburgh 34-16 in their opening Guinness Pro12 fixture.

Bradley Davies has admitted Wales were given “a right kicking” by the All Blacks this summer – but insists his teammates are ready to respond. Davies, who left the tour early because of a knee injury, has been declared fit for the start of the season which kicks off on September 2.

GARETH Anscombe is expecting a black and red fan club when he returns to New Zealand in a fortnight. The Celtic Kiwi reckons half his old mates will turn up to cheer him on for Wales, but admits some could never do anything other than back the All Blacks.

Rhys Webb can be the Ospreys general who continues their battlefield dominance over the Cardiff Blues, according to his coach. Steve Tandy believes Webb’s recent elevation to captain will be a decisive factor in Saturday’s Judgement Day clash at the Principality Stadium.

Sam Warburton picks his way through the scattered chairs inside the empty Cardiff Blues players’ lounge and finds a seat near the dartboard. “You wouldn’t sit here normally,” he says. “You’d probably get a dart in your head.”

Jim Botham – grandson of cricket legend Sir Ian – has signed to play for the Cardiff Blues next season. The 18-year-old has agreed a one-year academy contract with the region and will move to the capital in June.

Kirby Myhill will become the third Scarlets player to leave the region and join the Cardiff Blues at the end of the season. The former Wales U20s hooker is joining second row George Earle and fly-half Steve Shingler in swapping red for blue in a bid to earn more regular rugby.

Cardiff Blues have signed Hurricanes centre Willis Halaholo for next season on a three-year deal. Auckland-born Halaholo – who turned down a chance to play for Tonga at last year’s World Cup – will move to the Arms Park after playing for Waikato in the NPC competition later this year.

Wales captain Sam Warburton has been warned he may have to settle for second best in his head-to-head with Scarlets flanker James Davies. The notice has been issued by Davies himself who believes his own form will allow him to put Warburton in the shade when they clash in his region’s Guinness Pro12 derby at home to the Cardiff Blues on Saturday.