If Saracens scrum half Moses Rauluni comes off the bench in Cardiff tomorrow there won't be too many surprises if he receives a rapturous reception from the reams of grateful Ospreys fans.

The 32-year-old skippered Fiji to their first World Cup quarter final at the expense of Wales and at the same time hammered the final nail in the coffin of then coach Gareth Jenkins. The former Llanelli flanker became the first coach to be axed by his union as Welsh rugby plumbed the depths of despair.

However, their Rugby Union moved quickly to sign up the dream team of Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards and the rest, as they say, is history.

How much Fiji's stunning win influenced Welsh rugby bosses to dispose of Jenkins is difficult to judge as a record of six wins and a draw from his 20-game reign tells its own harrowing story.

Not that it bothers Rauluni too much. He pinned his colours to the Principality's mast during their glorious Six Nations Grand Slam but wants to end those bleary-eyed celebrations that have long continued in the valleys by helping send his club into the EDF Energy Cup final at the expense of Wales' feeder side, Ospreys.

"I was cheering on Wales because they played some good rugby in the Six Nations," said Rauluni. "After the World Cup there was only one way they could go and that was forward and be better than what they were.

"They used virtually the same squad from the World Cup so you have got to put the transformation down to the coaching staff. Warren Gatland has changed their style and their attitude along with Shaun Edwards, who is a bit of a hard fellow.

"They have took a hard nosed approach to the Welsh team. To come back and beat England they way they did was a great feat and then they go and beat France with ease in the final game. Wales were consistent throughout."

Rauluni is acutely aware Ospreys will want to maintain the Welsh feel-good factor at the Millennium Stadium and reach the final for the second year running but insists Saracens have nothing to fear despite a run of indifferent displays that has seen them fall off the play-off pace.

"The Welsh are a strong bunch and will be buzzing off the back of their Six Nations success," added Rauluni. "I'm sure that will show in their club rugby, which is something we have to consider.

"Our goal is to go there and win. We must concentrate on our own game and not worry too much about them. They have got a good mix of players at Ospreys and we know it is going to be a tough game. It's a huge challenge for us in a great stadium where I am sure the atmosphere will be amazing.

"At Watford we don't pack the stadium a lot so for many of the boys they will be playing in front of their biggest crowd. It could help or hinder us but both teams have nothing to lose and I'm sure it will be an exciting game of attacking rugby.

"A lot of people have already written us off to win the Premiership but I am sure they will sit up and take notice if we beat Ospreys this weekend and next month."

One of the region's players Rauluni has great admiration for is fellow number nine Mike Phillips, who played an integral part in Wales' Six Nations clean sweep. However, like Rauluni Phillips could be forced to settle for a place on the bench tomorrow if Ospreys head coach Lyn Jones gives former New Zealand star Justin Marshall the nod.

"Before Fiji played Wales in the World Cup I caused a bit of controversy in Wales when I said (in the press) I thought Mike Phillips was more threatening than (arch rival) Dwayne Peel," chuckled the likeable Islander. "Phillips is a player I really admire. He and Justin Marshall snap around the ruck area and are two big, strong boys that take the ball to the line and keep defences guessing.

"I also think Gavin Henson is a key player for them as he has been in terrific form for Wales."

Rauluni, who became a father for the first time recently, has not started a match since the Men in Black snatched the two points they needed at Llanelli Scarlets in December to qualify for the semi finals.

However, he is so happy at Saracens he spurned a number of attractive offers from other clubs in January to extend his stay at Vicarage Road for another two seasons.

Despite the consistent form of first choice nine Neil de Kock Rauluni has certainly earned some game time on the big stage tomorrow. He scored and set up another try in Sarries' opening EDF qualifier at Leeds Carnegie before leading them to another 40 point cup triumph over Bristol.

He made his seventh appearance of the season in the defeat to Leicester Tigers last weekend but made enough impact to see out the game after replacing the injured de Kock.

"Neil got a cut to his head and I had my chance to prove a point," he commented. "I was happy with the 25 minutes I got and it gave me a big boost of confidence when our team manager Dave (Guyan) told me I would be staying on for the rest of the game as I expected to go back off after 10 minutes with Neil patched up."