Cardiff Blues face a must-win clash in the Anglo-Welsh tie against Sale Sharks. Last season’s semi-finalists have failed to fire on all cylinders this season and suffered an away defeat to Edinburgh on Saturday night.

The Blues have the talent in British Lions and Wales stars Jamie Roberts, Martyn Williams and Gethin Jenkins but have lacked consistency.

But Wales coach Warren Gatland will be a keen spectator of the key battle at scrum-half between rivals Gareth Cooper and Sale number nine Dwayne Peel ahead of next month’s Six Nations.