Leigh Halfpenny has signed a contract to keep him at the Blues until 2011 © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Leigh Halfpenny | Gareth Thomas | T.Rhys Thomas

Tournaments/Tours: Magners League | Magners League

Teams: Cardiff Blues | Wales

Cardiff Blues have capped a great week by securing the signatures of three of their Welsh international contingent. The Blues secured top seeding for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals with a win over Calvisano on Friday, and are now looking forward to a big home tie with Toulouse in the last-eight

Now Wales' record caps holder Gareth Thomas, hooker T Rhys Thomas and Wales' latest wing sensation Leigh Halfpenny have all penned new deals.

Former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain Thomas has signed a new deal that will keep him at the Arms Park until 2010 after some performances this season that have belied his age.

"Gareth is a quality player which is evident from his record winning 100 caps for Wales and captaining the Lions," said Blues boss Dai Young. "His experience in big matches has been invaluable to us and he has really helped bring on some of the younger players in the squad.

"He has kept himself in great condition and even in the autumn of his career he still has that hunger for the game which is great to see a real example to the other players."

On the opposite end of the scale, Halfpenny has burst onto both the regional and international scene just this season, winning plaudits for his dangerous and elusive running and nerveless performances. Having made his Wales debut against South Africa in November with only a handful of Magners League games under his belt, Halfpenny looks set for a career at the top of the game.

He has signed a new deal that will keep him at Cardiff until 2011.

"Leigh is another product of the Blues Academy in Treforest and we have been delighted with his form for us this season having taken the step up to regional rugby," said Young. "He has played in some big games for us already this season and nothing seems to phase him.

"He is an exiting player to watch and the type of player that gets the crowd on the edge of their seats. He is still a young man who is eager to learn and I'm sure he has a bright future with both the Blues and Wales. He is very much part of our squad as we look to build on the progress we have made over recent years."

Hooker Thomas has played over 100 games for the Blues and has 27 caps for Wales. He scored two tries as the Blues defeated Calvisano in the Heineken Cup on Friday night and bolsters an improving Blues pack by signing until 2011.