Cardiff Blues coach Danny Wilson has opted against a derby day debut for Willis Halaholo. The New Zealander arrived in Wales this week, fresh from a Super Rugby title winning season with the Hurricanes.

Liam Williams is a player in demand – and not just by the medical staff charged with getting him fit after an ankle injury that threatens his place for Wales against Australia on November 5. The Scarlets full-back is out of contract at the end of the season and his existing region, the Ospreys, plus a number of English and French clubs are keen to sign him. Wales have 16 players on national dual contracts and Williams could be the next. But @PhilBB believes the Welsh Rugby Union’s system is flawed.

Scott Williams’ return to form has come at the right time for his region and country, according to Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac. Williams was a major contributor to the Scarlets’ impressive 28-11 victory over Sale on Saturday night as the region shook off their poor Pro12 start to record an opening victory in the European Champions Cup.

Kingsley Jones has insisted his Newport Gwent Dragons team are making progress, despite just one victory in their opening six matches in the Guinness Pro12. The Dragons go into the break for European rugby with little to suggest they will not be the worst of the four regions again this season.

Olympic silver medal winner James Davies has set his sights on a new podium – the platform of Test match rugby for Wales this autumn. The Scarlets flanker has played three matches for his region since returning from his sevens adventure in Rio de Janeiro with Great Britain.

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac has conceded they are already facing a crunch fixture in the Guinness Pro 12 just four weeks into the new season. The Scarlets are without a single point, having already lost three matches and could find themselves in deeper trouble if they lose at home to champions Connacht on Saturday night.

Rob McCusker has had his short term deal with the Ospreys extended until the end of the season. The 30-year-old former Wales back row forward joined the region on a one-month contract last month as cover for injured players.

Jake Ball has lost over a stone in bulk in order to try and keep pace with the All Blacks and says his “gym monkey” days are over. The Wales second row – who plays in the game of the weekend as the Scarlets host Munster on Saturday in the opening round of the Guinness Pro12 – has dropped 8kg of muscle for a more streamlined build.

Jonathan Davies believes Welsh rugby is winning the fight to keep its best talent from crossing the borders. The Wales and Lions centre could play his first game back in regional rugby on Saturday, having rejoined the Scarlets following two years in France with Clermont Auvergne.

Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards is being allowed to work with Toulon this season. But Edwards will not be allowed to spend time with the French giants before their Champions Cup pool games against the Scarlets.

Wayne Pivac says Scarlets have been handed a daunting challenge when they fly the solo flag for Wales in this season’s European Rugby Champions Cup. The Scarlets have been drawn in pool 3 alongside Aviva Premiership and defending champions Saracens, former European Champions RC Toulon and Sale Sharks.

James Davies believes the chance to be an Olympian will more than make amends for missing out on the Wales tour to New Zealand this summer. The Scarlets flanker was one of five Welshmen named in a 25-man Team GB Sevens training squad for the Rio Olympics.