Ahead of Challenge Cup Round 4 we've highlighted Gloucester Rugby's Gareth Anscombe, Connacht Rugby's Ben Murphy and Section Paloise's Theo Attissogbe as ones to watch

Gareth Anscombe playing with a point to prove for Gloucester

As one of the most notable omissions from Warren Gatland's Welsh squad for the Six Nations, Gareth Anscombe will have the bit between his teeth as Gloucester Rugby take on Aviron Bayonnais in Round 4.

The 33-year-old started two of Wales' three autumn Tests and has helped Gloucester climb the Gallagher Premiership to fifth so far in his debut season.

With the injured Sam Costelow ruled out, Gatland has named Ospreys' uncapped Dan Edwards and Cardiff Rugby's Ben Thomas, who primarily plays at centre, as the two fly-half options in his first 34-man squad.

So Anscombe will eager to have a big impact as the Cherry and Whites head to France to take on Aviron Bayonnais in a crucial crunch match to decide knockout qualification in a tight Pool 3.

Hat-trick hero Ben Murphy confident with Connacht after call up

It's been a week to remember for Connacht Rugby's Ben Murphy, scoring a hat-trick and assisting another against Lyon Olympique Universitaire to secure the Irish province's EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 spot.

Before Simon Easterby called the scrum-half up to the Irish Six Nations squad as a developmental player on Wednesday.

Connacht are currently top of Pool 1 with a maximum of 15 points from 15 after three bonus-point wins, with Murphy's fine form resulting in overtaking Caolin Blade in the pecking order.

Round 4 sees them take on Cardiff Rugby on the road, aiming for as high a ranking as possible to secure home knockouts from hereon, and Murphy will be hoping to back up Easterby's faith by putting on a good show.

Theo Attissogbe seeking to secure Section Paloise a home knockout

Having been called into Fabien Galthié's first French squad for the Six Nations, Theo Attissogbe will be hoping for an eye-catching display with Section Paloise in Round 4 to put himself in the conversation for a starting spot.

The 20-year-old was called up to the France first team for the summer tour last year, before starting against Japan in the autumn after Damian Penaud fell ill.

And with Pau's fine form in the EPCR Challenge Cup, securing a Round of 16 spot with a win over Dragons RFC in Round 3, Attissogbe is certainly in the equation for more game time.

A strong performance this weekend against Ospreys would only help his cause, as the side from the Pyrenees aim for a home knockout spot in Pool 2.