AFTER spending the Six Nations kicking his heels next to Hallam Amos on the sidelines, Cardiff Blues fly-half Gareth Anscombe doesn't intend allowing the Newport Gwent Dragons winger the chance to stretch his legs at Rodney Parade.

The pair were both members of Wales' squad yet neither were required by head coach Warren Gatland despite their efforts at the Vale of Glamorgan training base.

Amos at least got the opportunity to turn out for the Dragons in the Guinness Pro12 while Anscombe was travelling reserve, warming up with the Wales matchday 23 before heading to the stands at the Millennium Stadium, Murrayfield, Stade de France and Stadio Olimpico.

The Blues man, New Zealand-born and qualified for Wales through his mother, will have to wait until the World Cup warm-up Tests to link up with Amos but knows that the Dragons man will be a major threat in Saturday's European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final (kick-off 12.45pm).

"They have some pretty good finishers out wide like Hallam who has been a bit of a superstar for them recently, while Tyler Morgan (another unused member of Gatland's squad) might be back in the midfield for them," said Anscombe, who headed to the Arms Park from the Chiefs.

"It seems like Hallam can do a bit on the field. He has got a good fend – as Ruan Pienaar found out – and is an exciting young prospect.

"He has signed a dual contact so is a prospect who has shown plenty of promise. He is a good kid and has been playing well for the Dragons and we have identified that

"We can't be giving him a lot of space because he will make us pay. We are going to have to be on our toes to counter his influence."

Anscombe made an impact off the bench in the Dragons' Boxing Day victory at the Arms Park and was man of the match when the men from the capital earned revenge at Rodney Parade on New Year's Day.

The 23-year-old stood out in a grim encounter, setting up Cory Allen's try, making some telling breaks and knocking over a neat drop goal.

"The last time I was at Rodney Parade it was a good atmosphere and I suppose this week it will be better than that," he said.

"I have good memories. We lost the weekend at home before which was pretty disappointing. So to play well there where they have a strong forward pack and they are pretty physical up front was pleasing."

"You like playing in big games and this is one of them," he continued. "You always want to play well in big games. As 10 you are a leader of a team and when your team does well it tends to show.

"I want to play well this weekend and lead the team round and I am looking forward to a brutal encounter.

"There is a bit of pressure on everyone especially when you look at how the Pro12 season has gone so we are looking for some success.

"This is a chance to bring a trophy to the cabinet and we have a good chance against the Dragons.

"They will back themselves because they are at home but we are quietly confident as well."

The pressure on Anscombe to pull the strings is heightened by full-back/fly-half Rhys Patchell sitting out the encounter because of concussion.