Cardiff Blues chairman Peter Thomas has defended the Welsh region's attempts to recruit New Zealand duo Reuben Thorne and Xavier Rush. The WRU participation agreement asks the four regions to limit the number of non Welsh-qualified players.
"We want to recruit players of the highest quality and we will do everything we can to bring that quality into the team," Thomas told Scrum V.
"The Welsh-qualified players in the team will only learn and benefit."
Thomas points to the positive influence at the Arms Park of ex-Springbok Pieter Muller, former Australia back-row Matt Cockbain - who joined the Blues temporarily last season - and Canada flanker Dan Baugh.
Blues benefactor Thomas says that the region has sought the blessing of the WRU before approaching Thorne and Rush.
Chief executive Bob Norster also confirmed to BBC Wales that the Blues are keen to sign Bath's Welsh back-row Gareth Delve, although the injury-prone 22-year-old is thought to favour staying at the Rec.
Thomas also revealed that eight young players from Welsh Premier teams in the region, mainly from Cardiff and Pontypridd, have been signed up on Blues contracts for the future.
The recruitment plans are part of the efforts to improve what have been two dismal seasons for the new Blues regional team.
The Blues have finished lowest of the Welsh regions in the last two Celtic League seasons.
The Cardiff-based side needed to rely on the Dragons beating Connacht at the weekend just to qualify for a play-off against an Italian side to gain a Heineken Cup place.
"On reflection it has been a very, very poor season, we have certainly not fulfilled our aims and ambitions but we have learnt some huge lessons," Thomas admitted.
"We are very conscious of our supporters' disappointment, but nobody hurts more than the players and the coaching staff.
Despite a swathe of quality recruits arriving at the Arms Park following the demise of the Celtic Warriors, the Blues have misfired for most of the season.
Thomas admits the Blues have underperformed but points to injuries and illness to key players such as Jamie and Nicky Robinson, Ryan Powell and Baugh.
Nicky Robinson and Powell would have formed coach Dai Young's preferred half-back partnership.
"When you play 75% of your season without your first-choice nine and 10 it will always be difficult," Thomas said.
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Nobody hurts more than the players and the coaching staff
