By Sean Davies BBC Sport

A look at some of the world-class talent available to the Blues would suggest that last year's leading Welsh region could challenge the very best, but their form remains as streaky as a hog's innards.

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New captain Xavier Rush could be just the man to beat out such inconsistency with his All Black edge.

But a squad with the depth of a Love Island contestant could scupper the Blue and Blacks' dreams of re-emerging as a major player on the European stage.

A host of experienced players have left the Arms Park, and - although they had mostly failed to deliver in their time in the capital - the lack of cover is alarming.

Coach Dai Young does look to have traded shrewdly in the close season, another All Black - Ben Blair - being a much bigger signing in pure rugby terms than the now-departed Jonah Lomu.

Key player: Nicky Robinson

Young's most audacious transfer bid failed, though. Had he managed to lure Wales and Lions skipper Gareth Thomas from Toulouse his back-line options would have really opened up.

Alfie lookalike Tom Shanklin is back, however, with every Wales fan praying his knee stands up to the rigours of the season, while Martyn Williams and Gethin Jenkins should be rejuvenated after lengthy lay-offs.

Plenty depends on half-back pairing Mike Phillips and Nicky Robinson staying fit and in form.

But above all else the Blues must learn to deliver on the big occasion, the Cardiff side failing woefully to take their Heineken Cup chances last year at home to Perpignan and away at Leeds.

TRANSFER STORIES Davies joins Pertemps Bees Blues finalise squad roster Prop Jones joins Swansea Blues sign Kiwi full-back Blair Morgan leaves/Filise joins Early exit for Lomu Sharks sign Evans and Thomas Injury forces Quinnell to retire Worcester sign Powell Blues swoop for Gloucester prop

Last season there was some disappointment in Wales that the capital team had failed to take advantage of a highly favourable European draw.

There is no such expectation this time round, with nobody tipping the Blues to advance from a Heineken pool containing Bourgoin, Leicester and reigning champions Munster.

Their Anglo-Welsh Cup group also looks less than favourable. London Irish and Saracens could be beatable, but cup-holders Wasps will be favourites to reach the knockout stages.

One to watch: Mosese Luveitasau

That leaves the league, where a threadbare squad is rarely a recipe for success.

The Arms Park season opener with Munster must be targeted, as the next two fixtures are away at the Ospreys and Leinster.

Three opening defeats would immediately put pressure on Young and his squad, so a storming start against the European kings must be called for.

In: Taufa'ao Filise (Bath), Gary Powell (Gloucester), Ben Blair (Canterbury), Scott Morgan (Leeds Tykes), Mosese Luveitasau (Rosi RFC, Naitasiri), Duane Goodfield (Pontypridd), Wayne Evans (Pontypridd), Bradley Davies, Scott Roberts, Tom Riley, Dafydd Hewitt (all development contracts), Ross Johnson, Rhys Gill, Adam Powell, Dai Flanagan (all academy contracts), Darren Allinson (Scarlets Academy)

Out: Jonah Lomu (returning to New Zealand), Ryan Powell (Worcester), Craig Quinnell (retired), Lee Thomas (Sale), Ben Evans (Sale), Dean Dewdney (retired), Craig Morgan (Bristol), Maama Molitika (going to Japan), Martin Jones (Swansea RFC), Tristan Davies (released, Pertemps Bees), Roger Warren, Matthew Nutthall, James Malpas, Kort Schubert, Nathan Llewellyn (all released)