By Sean Davies

The potential of the first-choice side at the Arms Park remains mouth-watering, but do they have the consistency and depth to provide season-long succour?

BLUES PREDICTIONS Celtic League: 3rd EDF Energy Cup: Group stage Heineken Cup: Group stage Full season preview

Fans have long berated the board for a lack of ambition, but that looked set to change with the recruitment of Gareth Thomas and Paul Tito and the promise of further world-class signings to come.

Instead, Mike Phillips was lured away by the big money and big plans of the Ospreys, while the uninspiring signings of Jason Spice, Richie Rees, Tal Selley and Maama Molitika completed coach Dai Young's summer spending.

But the Blues' supposedly threadbare squad hit a rich vein of form at the end of last season, topping the league table on the final weekend before the Ospreys overhauled them in their last game.

606: DEBATE What do you think of my predictions? Sean_D

That should leave the capital side with plenty of motivation when the Ospreys hit Cardiff for the opening league fixture of 2007/8, to be followed a week later by a trip to closest rivals the Dragons.

Glasgow, Leinster and Munster follow in a challenging start to the season, form hard to call in the absence of the World Cup stars.

Key player: Xavier Rush

The Blues will be particularly weakened at three-quarter, losing Thomas, Tom Shanklin and Jamie Robinson to Wales duty, while Chris Czekaj is a long-term injury.

Gethin Jenkins and Martyn Williams will be missed up front, but the bulk of the pack and the key decision-makers at half-back are all available, suggesting that Young's team can kick-start another strong challenge in the league.

A lack of physicality and aggression up front thwarted the Blues' hopes in the Heineken Cup and EDF Energy Cup last season.

TRANSFER STORIES Molitika joins/Luveitasau leaves Blues take Osprey Selley on loan Swansea unveil Webster as coach Ospreys recruit Phillips & Gough Blues trio handed new contracts Blues bolster with Spice and Rees Thomas & Tito join Blues

The recruitment of Tito and the rapid emergence of fellow lock Bradley Davies should go some way to addressing that, but the failure to recruit a new tight-head leaves the forwards vulnerable.

Hopes for this season's EDF Energy Cup look remote, the Blues having to travel to Leicester and Bath and welcome Sale in the group stages.

One to watch: Tom James

Stade Francais' challenge in the Blues' Heineken Cup group would appear to be too much for the Welsh side to surmount.

Harlequins and Bristol are also in the pool, perhaps opening the potential chance of a best runners-up spot if the English sides are distracted by Guinness Premiership demands.

In: Gareth Thomas (Toulouse), Paul Tito (Taranaki and Hurricanes), Jason Spice (Ospreys), Richie Rees (London Irish), Tal Selley (season-long loan from the Ospreys), Maama Molitika (IBM Big Blue RFC)

Out: Mike Phillips (Ospreys), Wayne Evans (Dragons), Ed Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates), Richard Webster (Swansea RFC head coach), Mosese Luveitasau (mutually agreed release)