Having signed a new National Dual Contact, Gareth Anscombe is now determined to finish the season on a high with Cardiff Blues before Wales' summer tour.
It is proving to be a busy month for the fly-half, who has recommitted his future to Wales’ Capital Region. He faces Stade Francais in a semi-final play-off, to qualify for the European Champions Cup, on Friday and a final the following weekend should the Blues prevail.
And following the culmination of his regional commitments he will join Wales in preparation for their summer Tests with Tonga and Samoa.
On both levels, the 26-year-old is determined to kick on and it all begins with the Stade Jean Bouin clash on Friday night.
Anscombe said: “It’s pleasing to have my future sorted for another couple of years, it’s a chance to look ahead and I see my future here.
“We would have liked a better year but we go into a play-off now for the top cup in Europe and it’s those big competitions you want to be involved in.
“They (Stade) were pretty impressive. They have a massive pack, their scrum caused Gloucester a lot of trouble and they have some man mountain’s in the tight five.
“They’ve probably been the form team in the Top 14 in the last four or five weeks, they played well against Racing and have a great stadium and good fan base.
“It’s a bit different and something none of us have experienced before. We want to play in the Champions Cup and if we can do that it will be massive for the club.”
Anscombe has been in fine form in recent weeks and that has coincided with three wins and a draw in the Blues last four fixtures.
He believes the performances in recent weeks have pointed to their potential but is acutely aware that consistency is key.
He continued: “At times this year we have shown what we’re capable of, we’re a team with plenty of promise but we have to be more consistent and that’s our challenge next year.
“But we certainly feel when we have our best team out and we play the way we’re capable of we can challenge any side.”
There is also plenty of potential in the Wales squad to face Tonga and Samoa, and it is a challenge the playmaker is relishing.
He spent his formative years at Eden Park and is looking forward to a potential return when Wales kick-off their schedule against Ikale Tahi on June 16. Then a week later he could come head-to-head with Cardiff Blues teammate Rey Lee-Lo.
“There’s been a bit of banter flying around, it’s certainly going to be hot and humid, a few of the boys will struggle with the conditions!
“But it will be an exciting tour, playing Tonga in Auckland, before the All Blacks game, I’m sure they’ll have big support. It will be good for us to go out there and test ourselves, it’s obviously a young group but it’s chance for a few boys to put their hands up.
“Auckland has a massive base of Pacific Islanders and the double header will be an awesome occasion. I’ve played at Eden Park quite a bit in my Auckland days, so it’s a stadium I love, it was my home ground. It will be a special night and hopefully Wales can start the tour well.”