Welsh rugby: What hopes for regions in Champions Cup and Challenge Cup?
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Tomos Williams will be crucial to any Cardiff success in the Champions Cup
The Welsh regions turn their focus to Europe this weekend in the hunt for a place in the knock-out stages.
All four progressed past the pool stage last season for only the second time in 20 years of regional rugby.
Cardiff are the sole Welsh side in the Champions Cup and face an uphill task after earlier defeats.
But they could also qualify for the Challenge Cup where Ospreys and Dragons appear best-placed to progress while Scarlets are fighting for survival.
This weekend also marks a last chance for players to impress Warren Gatland before he names his Six Nations squad on Tuesday.
So can the regions defy their drastic budget cuts and repeat last season's feat?
And could any feature in the finals weekend on 24 and 25 May at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?
Cardiff
It has been a tough week for head coach Matt Sherratt as he fights to keep hold of some of his biggest stars.
Tomos Williams confirmed he will join Gloucester next season while Sale are among four English clubs chasing wing Mason Grady.
However there were some positives with Thomas Young passed fit and another sell-out crowd at the Arms Park for Saturday's clash with Premiership high-flyers Harlequins.
Cardiff's knack of picking up bonus points this season means they are still in with a chance of qualification, despite losing to Toulouse and Bath.
Victory against Quins, lead by former Cardiff head coach Danny Wilson, would set up a decider in Paris against fellow pool strugglers Racing 92. A fifth-place finish would see them drop into the Challenge Cup knock-outs.
"Big crowds create a great atmosphere and you can see the players grow from that," said Sherratt.
"We've had a couple of full houses and now, hopefully, we'll have another great night at the Arms Park and it's extra coffers for the club.
"It will be tough to get through in the main competition with just one win. It would then go to Paris, but we have to be completely focused on Harlequins.
"We're not in a bad place fitness-wise. Weirdly as this 13-game block has progressed we're getting stronger and the injury list is as short as I've known it. We've even had a few selection choices to make."
Dragons
Dragons will need their Wales stars to repeat last year's progress to the knockout stages
Europe has again been a great escape for the Rodney Parade outfit.
A late bonus-point win over Oyonnax and a narrow loss at Pau have left Dai Flanagan's side third in Pool 1.
They can qualify this weekend with a bonus-point win at Zebre, if Pau lose to pool leaders Cheetahs in South Africa on Sunday.
"We're six points from ten and we feel it's a competition that we can have a crack at," said backs coach Matt O'Brien.
"Mathematically a win will see us through, but the target for us is to get a home last 16 tie.
"A win for us this weekend will set us up well and put us on our way to achieving that."
Ospreys
The form team in Wales having won four of their last six games and moved into play-off contention in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
However an extensive injury list now features at least 17 players, including Wales trio Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric and Nicky Smith as well as rising stars Max Nagy, Rhys Davies and Morgan Morris.
Their on-loan Cheetahs are cup tied so have returned to South Africa, leaving a squad so threadbare that hooker Dewi Lake starts at flanker against Perpignan.
Victory will send Toby Booth's side through, if Newcastle Falcons lose to Benetton.
He said: "This is a pivotal part of the season. Nothing is won in January but it's when you give yourself a chance to progress.
"These are the two most volatile rounds of Europe but we're respecting the competition because it presents us with an opportunity we enjoyed last season.
"We've been performing pretty consistently over the last couple of months and there's a good feeling in the group. One more win could put us through, if other results go our way, but we have to take care of our part first."
Scarlets
Dwayne Peel is under growing pressure after two wins from 11 games this season
How much has changed at Parc y Scarlets in just 12 months.
Europe was their salvation last season and rejuvenated a dismal league start, beating Clermont-Auvergne en route to the semi-finals.
Now they head to the Central Massif knowing a third successive defeat in the pool will all but end their hopes.
Head coach Dwayne Peel is under growing pressure, not least after the home loss to cup newcomers Black Lion, and knows his team must quickly improve.
"We understand that the results haven't been where they need to be, but work ethic and hard work is what will get us out of it," he said.
"It's important to finish this long block of games in the right way and building for what's still to come this season as well as qualification.
"If that comes then great but we know we need to improve as a team because there's still a lot of rugby left in the URC."
Remaining key Dates
Round 4 - 19/20/21 January
Last 16 - 5/6/7 April
Quarter-finals - 12/13/14 April
Semi-finals - 3/4/5 May
Finals - 24/25 May