In the last few years, we've seen the emergence of this seasons Magner's League Top Try Scorer, Tom James, full back cum wing, Jamie Roberts as well as lock Bradley Davies, all of whom are touring with Wales to South Africa this summer.

So with the news that the current squad is unlikely to be strengthened further, I thought I'd take a look at the players who could break into the regional set up this season.

Darren Allinson
Scrum Half

20 year old Allinson has made three Blues appearances already, coming on as a sub against the Ospreys, Dragons and Glasgow, having a superb 20 minutes run out against the Rodney Parade side in the regions home win. Allinson pries his trade at Cardiff RFC, where he competes with long standing club servant, Owen Ruttley and fellow hot prospect, Luke Evans. Allinson could well feature this season, as Spice is rested for the bigger occasions.

Luke Evans
Scrum Half

Evans signed for the Blues from the Reds academy in order to claim a stake at a future Welsh career, having a Welsh father that moved to Australia. The 18 year old arrived at the start of the season, and has quickly made a name for himself, establishing himself as Wales U20's 1^st choice scrum half during the 6 Nations campaign. Will be battling Allinson for the right to be the Blues 3^rd, or maybe even 2^nd choice number 9.

Adam Powell
Number 8

A former captain of the Welsh U19's squad, Powell has been highly rated at the region for many years. Now 22, he's on the brink of breaking into the Blues back line, at a transitional period. With Martyn William, Maama Moltika and Xavier Rush perhaps reaching the twilight of their careers, Powell and his fellow young back rowers could see a lot of game time this season. He featured twice in January 2007, in the European Cup loss to Leicester, and the win against Borders. Powell started with Cardiff RFC, before switching for a season the year that Ponty won the Konika Minolta Cup, but switched back to the Blue and Blacks at the end of the season.

Sam Warburton
Flanker

Sam has recently been chosen to lead the U20's in this year's World Cup, which is being held across Wales, but it has since been revealed, he was almost chosen to tour with the full Welsh squad against South Africa this summer. Warren Gatland said, "We contacted Sam to see where he is because there is not a lot of genuine sevens out there, but he's got an injury too." Warburton plays for Glamorgan RFC, but is in line to complete with Robin Sowden-Taylor next year for the back up number 7 shirt. He was recently quoted as saying "The Blues is the team I love, I have lived in Cardiff all my life, and my ambition is to play for them."

Jevon Groves
Lock

Former Wales U20's captain, Groves plays lock for Cardiff RFC. He's been included in Wales' world cup squad, and could well feature as the new 5^th choice lock next year. With Paul Tito and Deiniol Jones first choice locks, Bradley Davies and Scott Morgan their back ups, Groves may only see regional action if we have the same type of injury situation that occurred to the second row this year, but Groves could be introduced during the lesser Magner's league games.

Leigh Halfpenny
Wing

Halfpenny made his regional bow in the final game of the season, an impressive win over Ulster at Ravenhill, with a very unfamiliar team. Though he didn't grab himself a try, the nineteen year old Cardiff RFC Winger cum full back did slot 3 of 4 conversion attempts. Halfpenny was training with Neath RFC and the Ospreys Acadamy, before the Blues snapped him up. He won Principality Player of the Month in December having already scored 6 tries for his new club.

Roger Davies
Wing

Also played in the win over Ulster, however was fortunate enough to get his name on the try sheet. He also scored a brace in Cardiff RFC's 24-22 win over league and cup champions, Neath. 22 year old Davies has represented Wales on all age ranges from u16 - u21, but will be facing a tough battle to break into the Blues back line next year, with Czekaj, Tom James, Rhys Williams, Aled Brew, Richard Mustoe and Jamie Roberts all vying for a starting position.

So there are 7 reasons to be cheerful during the close season, and don't forget, if you want to see these boys in action, most of the above are involved in Wales' u20 World Cup here in the principality, with Wales group matches taking place in the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, tickets just £2.

There are of course many other quality young players with the Blues Academy, so if you know of any exciting new talents that may feature over the next few years, post them on the message board below.

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