Cardiff must put aside worries over departing players this weekend and try to make sure they have their own tickets stamped for the knockout stages of the European Champions Cup.

The Arms Park club welcome Harlequins to the capital on Saturday, knowing a victory would keep alive their chances of getting out of their pool.

Quins, though, are one of the form teams in England and currently stand second in the Gallagher Premiership table, behind leaders Northampton.

To make progress, Cardiff need to win on Saturday and take it to a final pool stage winner-takes-all clash against Racing 92 in Paris.

Head coach Matt Sherratt says: “It will be tough to get through in the main competition with just one win. It would then go to Paris, but we have to be completely focused on Harlequins.

“We’re not in a bad place fitness-wise. Weirdly as this 13-game block has progressed, we’re getting stronger and the injury list is as short as I’ve known it. We’ve even had a few selection choices to make.”

Quins are coached by two men who used to earn their crust with Cardiff – Billy Millard and Danny Wilson.

Millard says: “We love going down to Cardiff as Danny and I both coached there a lot. They are a different team and a different style to what we are used to, so it’s going to be a special weekend.”

 

Ospreys on form

The other three Welsh teams are in action in the second-tier European Challenge Cup, where the Ospreys have the benefit of decent form in the United Rugby Championship to give them some confidence ahead of their home clash against Perpignan on Friday night.

However, their injury list is long and extensive, meaning Wales hooker Dewi Lake will start as an emergency openside flanker, the first time he has worn the No.7 shirt in his senior career.

If the Ospreys win and Newcastle lose to Benetton, then the Ospreys will be through to the knockout stages.

Head coach Toby Booth says: “This is a pivotal part of the season. Nothing is won in January but it’s when you give yourself a chance to progress.

“These are the two most volatile rounds of Europe but we’re respecting the competition because it presents us with an opportunity we enjoyed last season.

“We’ve been performing pretty consistently over the last couple of months and there’s a good feeling in the group. One more win could put us through, if other results go our way, but we have to take care of our part first.”

 

Dragons can earn stripes at Zebre

The Dragons are also in contention of staying involved for the later stages of the competition as they currently stand third in Pool One.

They are in Italy to face Zebre and know that if they earn a bonus point win and Pau lose to pool leaders Cheetahs in South Africa, then the Dragons will be through to the last 16 with one match still to spare.

Backs coach Matt O’Brien says: “Mathematically a win will see us through, but the target for us is to get a home last 16 tie.

“A win for us this weekend will set us up well and put us on our way to achieving that.”

 

Scarlets subdued

The Scarlets, though, have produced poor form in Europe – just as they have in the URC.

“They lost their two opening matches and a third defeat – away to French club Clermont-Auvergne on Saturday – will effectively leave them out of the tournament for another year. “

Head coach Dwayne Peel sounds resigned to his team focusing more on their URC predicament than the slim prospect of staying in Europe.

“It’s important to finish this long block of games in the right way and building for what’s still to come this season as well as qualification,” says Peel.

“If that comes then great, but we know we need to improve as a team because there’s still a lot of rugby left in the URC.”

The other focus for much attention this weekend is the form and fitness of all Welsh players ahead of the upcoming Six Nations.

Wales coach Warren Gatland is back from his break in New Zealand and is due to name his squad on Tuesday.