Jenkins carries Cardiff hopes

Cardiff's Neil Jenkins is the man Gloucester fear could kick their European Cup hopes into oblivion today (BBC1, 2.0). Amid the inevitable mayhem of a ferocious Anglo-Welsh scrap, Jenkins' ability to deliver the knockout blow puts him head and shoulders above anyone else as a potential Kingsholm match-winner.

Having found an extra yard of pace this season, he now boasts that great Welsh outhalf trait whereby opposition defences are tantalisingly shown the ball - and then torn to shreds.

It is a fact not lost on Gloucester captain Kingsley Jones, a former team-mate when the pair played for Wales and Pontypridd. "Neil can kick goals with his slippers on," Jones said, wary that Gloucester's occasional frailty in that department cost them vital English Premiership points before Christmas.

"I have always admired him as a player. I played alongside him quite a bit, and I never really thought that he got the credit he deserved. He has always tended to be judged on the six games-or-so a season he played for Wales, rather than his club form week in, week out."

Premiership champions Leicester line up as favourites tomorrow against Welford Road visitors Swansea, especially with England trio Austin Healey, Neil Back and Leon Lloyd all set to return from injury or illness. England captain Martin Johnson misses his final game of a five-week ban which expires next Friday, but Leicester should otherwise be at full strength.

Wales centre Mark Taylor is back in the Swansea side following a two-month absence recovering from knee surgery - Steve Winn drops out - while prop Darren Morris replaces Chris Anthony and number eight Lee Jones ousts Dean Thomas.

French champions and tournament favourites Stade Francais host Pau today, when they should confirm the bookies' faith by storming into the last four.

The semi-final draw will be made in Dublin on February 7th by Lions manager Donal Lenihan and European Rugby Cup Limited chairman Jean-Pierre Lux.