Cardiff Blues' Sam Warburton has been urged to use Saturday's match against Harlequins to force his way into the Wales squad for the autumn internationals.

The back row forward made his international debut coming on as a replacement against the United States in June and Wales backs coach Rob Howley believes the Heineken Cup clashes against Quins and Sale the following Friday give the 20-year-old the perfect chance to showcase his talents ahead of the Tests against New Zealand, Australia and Argentina.

The legendary Wales scrum-half also tips a trio of Ospreys young guns, Andrew Bishop, Jonathan Spratt and prop Craig Mitchell as others to watch.

Howley cites how Warburton's teammates Leigh Halfpenny and Andy Powell emerged from nowhere to become Wales stars last November as the example for others to follow.

He said: "The way Halfpenny and Powell pushed themselves into the national reckoning shows how important the Heineken Cup is.

"It's a hugely influential shop window for players looking to make the Wales team and places their tactical and technical skills under intense pressure. Warburton, Bishop, Spratt and Mitchell all have a chance to impress."