British and Irish Lions

The Welsh region gained maximum points from the first two rounds in Europe after impressive wins over Calvisano and Gloucester.

Dai Young's men suffered last month without their Wales stars as they ended November with a shock 28-0 defeat to Glasgow last weekend.

But potential Lions' No8 Powell is back to face the 2006 finalists and re-ignite the Blues' season.

"We performed really well before the autumn break but we came back and were average," said Blues skipper Paul Tito.

"It was probably the kick up the backside we needed. There is no point in us winning our first two (Heineken Cup) games if we lose a home game. It will mean nothing if we don't front up. Hopefully the boys know how big this game is."

Powell will link up with previous Lions tourists Martyn Williams, Gethin Jenkins and Tom Shanklin following Wales' triumph over Australia last weekend. The 27-year-oldl exploded onto the Test scene with all-action displays against South Africa and the Wallabies and now Blues coach Young reckons Lions chief Ian McGeechan cannot ignore his claims for next summer's tour to South Africa.

Young said: "Andy's certainly in the running for the Lions - I've not seen a better performance from a number eight in the northern hemisphere this autumn.

"His ball carrying and evasive skills are as good as anybody in world rugby."

Cardiff Blues: B Blair; L Halfpenny, J Robinson, T Shanklin, G Thomas; N Robinson, J Spice; G Jenkins, G Williams, G Powell, D Jones, P Tito (capt), M Molitika, M Williams, A Powell

Replacements: F Filise, R Thomas, S Morgan, R Sowden-Taylor, D Allinson, C Sweeney, T James

Biarritz: B Thiery; T Ngwenya, P Bidabe, D Traille, I Bolakoro; J Peyrelongue, F Cibray; F Barcella, B Noirot, M Moala, J Thion (capt), T Hall, P Som, M DridiI, Harinordoquy

Replacements: B August, E Coetzee, C Damiani, W Lauret, R Cabannes, J Roidot, L Tranier

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.

Tom Youngs has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top of the British & Irish game but he won't be resting on his laurels ahead of his first Lions adventure.

Check out the video from the day the HSBC Cubs met The British & Irish Lions at the Vale of Glamorgan in a day they will remember for the rest of their lives.