Cooper, who toured with the British and Irish Lions to New Zealand four years ago, has recently become Wales' new first choice scrum half, completing an amazing comeback after his international career looked all but over.

Having been Wales' first choice scrum half for the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Cooper saw Dwaine Peel emerge as Lions scrum half, before former Blue, Mike Phillips, moved above Cooper in the Welsh pecking order.

Then eighteen months ago, Cooper made the decision to leave the Dragons and Wales behind, joining English giants, Gloucester. There, he quickly established himself as first choice, but following arguments between the WRU and Premiership Clubs, he has been blocked from playing in Wales' final Autumn Internationals match against Australia, fuelling rumours that he would sign for the Blues at the end of his current contract.

It would mean the Blues would've brought in the former Warriors half back pairing of Cooper and Sweeney, though the latter probably wouldn't be first choice come next season.

Cooper is seen as the perfect package for Blues bosses, as he will replace a foreign player in Jason Spice, allowing for one new nWq player to come in, plus, he comes relatively cheap as there is little competition for the players signature. Cooper is keen to return to Wales, but is unlikely to get offers from the Ospreys (Phillips and Nutbrown) or Scarlets (Martin Roberts and Silo Martins), while the Dragons are unlikely to go for the player who left them two years ago.

Elsewhere, we're still speculating as to who the new nWq player will be. Cardiff have openly admitted they want a big name signing to boost attendances when they move to the City of Cardiff Stadium next September, but we're yet to see who that man will be. So far, the message board has been rife with names such as Ma' Nonu, Piri Weepu and Matt Giteau, with the latter recently rejecting a new contract with the Western Force, he told newspaper ‘Perth Now',

"Yes I've declined the offer. It's not what everyone seems to think it is though. That's all I can say about it,"

The article went on to say,

‘Club officials are now waiting to hear whether he asks for an early release from the final year of his contract. He is contracted to the ARU until the end of 2011, but can move from the Force to another Australian club in 2010. The group wanted Giteau to stay until 2011 to ensure "longevity'' at the club. He has been given until Friday to make a decision and it is understood he may now seek legal advice on an early exit from his contract.'

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