LET'S be positive for a change and eagerly anticipate Welsh involvement in two European semi-finals this weekend.

Llanelli and Pontypridd will take centre stage on Saturday and Sunday after Newport's battle to re-float a drowning season against Cardiff on Friday night, coupled with the Rodney Parade return of Gary Teichmann.

Pontypridd are first off the blocks when they take on London Irish in the semi-finals of the shield competition, followed on Sunday by Llanelli and their Heineken Cup semi hurdle against double champions Leicester.

It's a chance for Welsh rugby to show it is not dead and buried after all the political wranglings and shambolic performances by the national team against Ireland, England and Scotland in the Six Nations.

With the season in the final weeks Llanelli are still fighting on three fronts, the Welsh/Scottish League which they lead, the domestic cup final yet again, and the Heineken.

That is a remarkable tribute to their all-round strength on the field, the depth of their squad and the motivational abilities of coach Gareth Jenkins.

He has one more giant task this weekend in lifting his team against European champions Leicester.

Neither side has quite been at their best in recent weeks, which could mean they will both peak for Sunday's clash at Nottingham Forest's football ground.

In that case it could be an absolute cracker. Leicester are not likely to take a backward step, and Llanelli will go for it as well.

They know they have got the better of Leicester once this season and though that was at their Stradey home they gave the Tigers a pretty stern examination at Welford Road as well.

This time it's neutral territory, if you can call Nottingham neutral for Leicester fans, and it's for the decider. Something has got to give.

Pontypridd have recovered from a poor start to the season and have now hit form with a vengeance.

They seem to have been given a new lease of life and they scored some sparkling tries in their most recent game against Bridgend.

They have also received an injection of youthful vigour, and big things are already expected from loose head Gethin Jenkins, while teenage winger Matthew Nuttall made a cracking debut against Bridgend.

But they face a huge task against London Irish, fresh from their overwhelming 38-7 Powergen Cup final victory over Northampton.

It may be a step too far for Pontypridd, but they will give it everything for sure. The fall and fall of Newport, meanwhile, has got to stop somewhere if a season which has been so successful is not to end in disaster.

Cardiff is now a huge game, and the team has got to dredge up the same sort of spirit which characterised their against-the-odds 18-13 victory over the 'enemy' in the first game of season 1999-2000 which was the first under Tony Brown's 'reign.'

He is taking the massive downturn badly and has understandably gone to ground. With no coach in place for next season, and no sign of one after Alan Gaffney's decision to switch to Munster, no investment and no new players it does look pretty gloomy all of a sudden and three years of plenty.

Even though such a key figure as Ofisa Tonu'u is out for the last four games, it is down to the rest of the squad to lift themselves, to remember how well they have been treated and how well they have been paid.

They have got to show a bit of pride, shake themselves up and basically get on with the job.

Meanwhile Glanmor's boys, or Gower Park as they should be called because Neath Rugby Club officially does not exist after going bankrupt, are chasing the title in a big way.

And the club formed by the WRU called Gower Park after they rescued Neath, could make it as well given their current form and huge appetite for the game.

Wales coach Steve Hansen is watching with South Africa in mind, and Neath, or Gower Park, should provide more than a few members of the tour party.

Top of my shopping list would be centre James Storey, now eligible for Wales, and absolutely bursting with vigour and vitality.

It's as well some new blood is coming through for that must be the future, especially after the start of the player drain into England.

I forecast that possibility in this column a fortnight ago as the likely outcome of the decision by the majority to refuse to allow a much-needed elite.

The loss of Craig Quinnell is the start. Others are set to follow because of the huge disparity in funding in Wales and England.

* Pictured: Llanelli's Stephen Jones, left, and Neil Boobyer celebrate their side's Heineken Cup quarter-final victory over Bath