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Persuading prize target Leigh Halfpenny to come back to Cardiff Blues will be difficult if the region cannot improve their results.

That’s the candid admission of new coach Danny Wilson as he mulls over a massive shake-up of the players he has inherited at the Arms Park with 20 – approximately half his squad – out of contract at the end of the campaign.

He has warned them they are fighting for their futures following an horrific start to his reign, which has seen them win just once in seven league outings to lie 11th in the table and Wilson brand their defeat at Italian minnows Zebre “embarrassing” and “diabolical”.

Wilson admitted the chance to work with Halfpenny, currently out with a cruciate knee ligament injury that kept him out of the World Cup, and the likes of Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris, who are also on the radar of the Blues for next season, would delight him.

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“I would love to have those guys back in Wales – they are world-class players and would add quality to the regional game,” he declared.

“The long-term goal is to keep Wales at the top of the game and the policy is to have Welsh-qualified players at the regions.”

But former Bristol, Scarlets and Dragons forwards guru Wilson, who was head coach of the Wales Under-20 team which finished runners-up to England in the 2013 Junior World Championship, acknowledged results could play a part when Halfpenny and company weigh up their playing futures.

“I’m fully aware losing those type of games (against Italian minnows Zebre) does effect that,” he said.

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It was put to him Halfpenny joining the Blues would be akin to Wales and world football superstar Gareth Bale joining Aston Villa from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

However, Wilson expressed confidence that wouldn’t be the case, insisting: “The likes of Leigh can see past one result. I think Leigh’s decision, like other players’ decisions, will be made at the tail-end of the season.”

He said other factors would be involved, with Wales stars on National Dual Contracts – Halfpenny is expected to be offered one by national coach Warren Gatland and the WRU – being limited to a maximum number of games and having rest periods in an effort to make sure they are in tip-top condition for when they do play and to lengthen their careers.

“You get the management of a player you don’t get elsewhere for they are managed correctly through co-operation with the WRU. They are able to recover and train well to play for Wales,” Wilson went on.

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(Image: Under Armour)

“Do players want to come home to play with their peers and mates for the rest of their careers?

“It’s about us selling a long-term vision to these players to attract them to the Blues.”

Results – Blues were Wales’ bottom finisher in the league last season and failed to qualify for the European Champions Cup – and the shock departure of ex-New Zealander hooker Mark Hammett as coach after just six months were a factor in Jamie Roberts electing not to return home.

The Lions and Wales star’s representative held talks with the Blues but the on and off-the-field turmoil prompted Roberts to head to the Aviva Premiership out-fit via Cambridge University from French club Racing 92.

Blues bosses have made it clear they want to lure points-scoring superstar Halfpenny back from Toulon when his deal with the European club champions ends.

The full-back, who is recovering from the serious knee injury which prevented him appearing at the World Cup, is understood to have told the south of France club he doesn’t want to take up the option of a further year.

Halfpenny is weighing up his future and the Blues, provided he has a desire to rejoin them, would have first option on his services should he sign a NDC with the WRU.

Wasps bruiser Davies is another target for a return to Arms while the Blues are understood to be interested in a move for Racing lock Luke Charteris, the former Newport Gwent Dragons captain, who is also wanted by Aviva Premiership big-spenders Bath.