Wales contingent to boost Blues’ hopes

CARDIFF Blues will be boosted by the presence of Wales squad members Jarrod Evans, Hallam Amos, Lloyd Williams and Rhys Carre for tomorrow night’s make-or-break clash with Edinburgh (8pm), writes SIMON THOMAS.

Fly-half Evans and back three man Amos were released by Wayne Pivac on Friday to train with the Blues ahead of their Arms Park clash with the Scots.

But scrum-half Williams and prop Carre are both in Paris with Wales as travelling reserves for Saturday evening’s Grand Slam showdown with France.

They will fly back home with the rest of the Welsh squad on Sunday and link up with Cardiff on Monday.

That means they will go straight into the PRO14 fixture against Edinburgh without having trained with Dai Young’s squad.

But such is the importance of what is effectively a winner-takesall game, the Blues will want as many of their internationals on duty as possible.

They need to beat Richard Cockerill’s side in order to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions Cup.

A victory, along with the Scarlets losing at home to Connacht, would earn the Blues a third-place finish in Conference A and guarantee them a seat at Europe’s top table.

But fourth might well be enough, as it looks as though the Champions Cup will be staying at 24 teams next term, with eight sides qualifying from the PRO14.

And defeating Edinburgh - who lie fifth - would see Dai Young’s men certain of at least a fourthplace finish. So it’s a key game.

Turning to the Scarlets, Wales squad members Leigh Halfpenny, Jake Ball, Johnny Williams and Ryan Elias could be on duty at home to Connacht tomorroe night (8pm).

Glenn Delaney names his side at noon today, with Rhys Patchell available for selection.