Wales door is open for Cuthbert and Jenkins, saysWilson

ALEX Cuthbert and Ellis Jenkins will have a golden opportunity to force their way into the Six Nations reckoning over the next couple of weeks.

That’s the verdict from their Cardiff Blues coach Danny Wilson ahead of Saturday’s big Welsh derby against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.

Both men returned to action after lengthy lay-offs as replacements in the New Year’s Eve Arms Park clash with the Scarlets.

Winger Cuthbert came on as a late sub having recovered from the calf damage which had kept him out since mid November.

And flanker Jenkins entered the fray early on for his first appearance of the season following hamstring surgery.

It’s a timely return for the two Welsh internationals with Warren Gatland set to name his Six Nations squad in a couple of weeks time.

The 47-cap Cuthbert has a lot to play for, with fellow wingers George North and Hallam Amos to miss the start of the Championship through injury and Liam Williams still currently sidelined.

And the same goes for Jenkins, with Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau, Ross Moriarty and Ollie Griffiths all crocked in the back row department.

Wilson expects the returning pair to be straining at the leash this weekend, with Wales squad spots up for grabs.

“Both will be really keen to put their names in the hat,” he said.

“They know the best way to do that is play well in derbies.

“Ellis started that process on New Year’s Eve and he’s got to do that again this week. Likewise with Alex.

“You then go into two big European games, which are opportunities for them to put their names forward.

“Those are the games the selectors will watch.

“Ellis played really well when he came on against the Scarlets. He played a lot longer than we wanted him to, but he came through it well, which is really pleasing.”

The Blues will also have skipper Gethin Jenkins available again for just his fourth outing of an injuryravaged season, while No 8 Nick Williams and wing Blaine Scully are both expected to be fit.

Williams took a bang to the head in the early stages of the 14-11 defeat to the Scarlets - a loss which has been hard to take for Wilson’s troops.

“We were extremely disappointed we didn’t come out with the win,” said the head coach.

“We dominated almost every area of the game and did everything bar win it.

“There were some pretty big calls that went against us, which was extremely frustrating in a tight game like that.”

The most talked about of those refereeing calls came midway through the second half when James “Cubby” Davies was allowed to get away with stealing the ball as the Blues were edging towards the Scarlets line.

“I don’t want to take anything way from Cubby, he was outstanding on the day,” said Wilson.

“He is a real nuisance and a real presence and plays on the edge. Sometimes he is going to get away with things and sometimes he’s not.

“In that example, we certainly felt he came in from the side and turned the ball over.”