“The Heineken Cup provides another level of competition up from the normal and gives me and the Welsh coaching staff the opportunity to see and assess players at this higher standard,” said the former Canterbury Crusaders coach.
“The Heineken Cup is the most important competition outside the Six Nations – the razzmatazz gets people really excited about the game. It provides the whole package to sell the game to the public.
“Selection is continually an on-going thing and this competition is the best thing in Europe – that has to make it hugely beneficial to people like myself.
This gives us the chance to see players, be they on the fringe or established, and gauge current form.
“What I am hoping to see is good team and individual performances across the board and it would be nice to see the Welsh clubs do well in the Heineken Cup because they would then take that confidence with them into internationals.”