08/01/2017 Scrum V

2016 was a year like no other a year in which we lost some of our

brightest, most creative talents. And a year in which Wales came

second in the Six Nations and a record-breaking win over South

Africa left the fans wanting much more. A disconnect between the Welsh

team and their public. It is a strange act to follow by 2017 has

the potential to be even more confounding, even more historic. Can

Wales recover their attacking Mojo? Can the Lions pull off Mission

impossible down under? And will this trophy be engraved once more with

the name of a Welsh team? Welcome to Scrum V. Welcome to 2017.

We are just eight days into the New Year and it has already thrown

plenty talking points, not least the new directives on the tackle laws.

Jonathan Davies and Sean Holley have plenty of strong opinions on those.

But we start tonight with the Ospreys and a bid to return to the

top of the Pro12 table. They were hosting defending champions

Connacht. Good strength from the Bridgend

product. Sam Davies at scrum half. Alun Wyn Jones at scrum half this

time. A lovely angle from Hanno Dirksen. Just about holds onto the

ball. And that is a try, Dan Biggar over the line. Relentless pressure

from the Ospreys. -- Dan Baker. That is good, clean ball from the

Ospreys. A monstrous charge from Sam Parry. Just smashes the Connacht

defender out of the way. The Ospreys have really up the intensity. That

is another break and he is going to go all the way to the line. That is

a fantastic try for the blindside flanker.

It goes to Lloyd Ashley at the front. Tom Habberfield. Justin

Tipuric in support. Six or seven yards out. Cracknell.

And that is desperately close now. The Ospreys. That is over the line.

It is another drive. Connacht looking threatening. Sam

Davies takes him down but he could be in trouble here, the fly half.

Under the new directives, that is high. Is it reckless? John Lacey

thinks it is. That is ten minutes in the bin for Sam Davies. Desperation

from Connacht. It is a speculative kick. Eventually dealt with by Dan

Evans. Sean O'Brien picks up. It is messy

ball. He is not going to get stopped and he is over the line.

Four yards out now for the Ospreys. Desperate stuff this. Connacht

defending. Dan Biggar up with the floated pass out to Ashley Beck.

That is the bonus point for the Ospreys. They have secured the

maximum five points against the defending champions.

They got the bonus point despite going down to 14 men for the last

ten minutes of the game. Real spirit to do that. I think they are doing

exceptionally well. Very clinical. I like the way that the forwards are

ball-handling, getting over the gain line. They are going really well at

the moment and Cracknell is going well, but for me it is Alun Wyn

Jones. He is playing at a different level to everyone else. If you talk

about Lions and captains, he has definitely put his hand up. Jonathan

mention Olly Cracknell, but if you look at the back row riches in

general, yesterday Justin Tipuric and Dan Baker, but they have also

got James King, Joe Bearman. So many back row options. Steve is rotating

his squad really well. The style of play is outstanding. They are

scoring a bucket full of tries, especially at the Liberty Stadium.

You will see the forwards handling, lots of different try scorers. They

are in a good place at the moment. And Sam Davies orchestrating things

from ten at the moment. Over the Christmas period playing fullback,

that is a no-go for me. Doesn't contribute anything. For me he is a

ten and it is a straight choice between Dan and Sam. We saw him play

at fullback, Dan Evans on the wing. For me, it is a no-go. Dan Evans is

the best 15. It is a straight choice. They have got injuries in

the wing position but they must have one in the region. He is either a

ten order on the bench. He spent ten minutes in the sin-bin and we will

talk about that later because it has been a bit of a theme this weekend.

We will talk about that later in the programme. The West William rivals

the Scarlets were hoping to stay in the top four and the Ulster work

visitors to Parc y Scarlets. Got it away to Jacob Stockdale and

that is far too soft for the Scarlets.

Ken Owens seeing how close that try line is. In go the backs as well to

join in. A dozen Scarlets players in there. Aled Davies gets it loose,

comes to the blindside. He hasn't got the ball to ground. Sean Reidy

with the all-important tackle saves the day for Ulster. I thought he was

in here but he glows for glory. That has got to be looked at. Is that a

high tackle? Is it a penalty try? Is it a yellow card? All sorts of

questions are going to be asked her. It is a penalty try, a yellow card,

and that is a big break for the Scarlets.

That is such a harsh call. The Scarlets will take it though. It has

put them back ahead. The player was going low as well so what are you

supposed to do? He was diving for the try line. I think he is looking

at Jake Ball for a high tackle now. Here we go! We will be here all day

now! Was that any worse? It is a yellow card. He has gone again.

Where row we going? Where are we going?

As a rugby man, do you have any sympathy for the boys who got yellow

card? On the try line, if he hadn't gone hi, I think you would have

definitely scored the try. Jake Ball, the new rule, we talked about

it before the game, zero tolerance. Congratulations to the Scarlets on

what could be a significant win but the talking point worth the yellow

cards. The new laws on the high tackles. I am going to come to you

in a minute. Let's clarify what those new directives are. Will Grigg

Bizet, -- world rugby say... Accidental tackle is the second one

and this is the interesting one. We saw three incidents on Friday

night, we were all there, the first, arguably, the most contentious

because this is arguably decided the outcome of the game. Aled Davies

lunging for the line, he is tackled. Possibly a swinging arm by Andrew

Trimble. It was a yellow card and a penalty try. That followed moments

later. And this one we saw in the opening match will stop Sam Davies

spent ten minutes in the bin for that one. Jonathan is having a

chuckle. I think I know what he thinks. Let's take them in order.

The first one decided the outcome of that game. The first thing, nothing

has really changed. Now that the referee is being scrutinised, the

inexperienced refs have gone berserk. They have gone to the

letter of the law, no empathy, and it has gone crazy. We are all going,

the letter of the law and everything, but common sense to

prevail. I have got a cousin who has been in a coma for four years. He

has got brain damage. He made a legitimate tackle under the hip and

he has got injured. Now we are worried about the ball-carrier, not

the tackler. If you are going down and leading with the elbow or the

knee or the hip, the tackler is in danger as well. It is just common

sense. But all of that is about player safety. Do we not have too

broad a move that is at least trying to avoid the number of concussions?

Yes, and if you watch the Saracens game yesterday, there is a dangerous

effort there. But for coaches and players, he has tried to prevent the

score, which is ultimately his job. It is a good tackle. It is not even

a penalty. Andrew Trimble's is the dangerous one. As for Jake Ball and

Sam Davies, we are going to switch people after the game if we are

going to be sending people that. You know a high shot, you know a cheap

shot, you know a fair shot, and the referees have got to understand the

difference as well. The first one, I don't think it is a penalty. Andrew

Trimble, that is a yellow card. Maybe a penalty against Andrew

Trimble. I agreed the Jake Ball one is nonsense. And then the Sam Davies

one, he goes into the tackle, the player is falling because he is

being dragged down, and it is a yellow card? It will be interesting

to see if something like that crops up England against Wales, say

England scored a try and Wales have a player sent off for ten minutes

and lose the game, there is going to be absolute ructions. And the point

is, these are coming in midway through the season. At the start of

the season, teams have a chance to get used to them. Is it too much to

ask to tell players overnight, this is the new law? No, but they are

ingrained in multidimensional facets of play. Things happen really fast.

Loads of runners, stopping people on the gain line, they are very

physical. You are going to have incidents in a contact sport all the

time. What will be interesting is southern hemisphere Super Rugby,

South Ireland players, they are used to doing that. They have just

pointed it out and they are being scrutinised now. Nothing has

changed. You know if there was a high shot before, great if we are

going to scrutinise it and make it a point, but it has got to be managed

properly. It is a brilliant directive but it is not being

referee is properly. Experienced referees will make better judgment.

It will sort itself out but not much will change. It is simple, if it's a

reckless high tackle, it's a straight red. We all knew that

playing. When Jake Ball does that tackle, you watch every player

involved in the next ruck or the tackle, the tackler, the plane being

tackled, not one player pauses or says anything. It wasn't a tackle

worthy of a yellow card. One more to show you, this one from Hanno

Dirksen didn't. Was that the right decision? For me, it looks worse

than it actually is. He is trying to smother his arms from behind to

prevent an off-road or a kitten. It is a legitimate tackle you would

coach. It gets a bit high because the player is falling. If I am the

guy getting the ball, I would rather Hanno Dirksen tackle me around the

shoulders than drill me into my lower back. That is the safety of

the player. That is not a yellow card, it is a penalty. I have a

feeling we are going to revisit this over the coming weeks. I had a new

beer sit down with the new chief executive of the W IQ, Martin

Phillips. We talk about an awful lot. -- of the WRU.

What about the regional game, it is no secret that since the regime has

changed here, the relationships seem a lot more cordial between you and

the regions. Is the current model sustainable? In terms of the

relationship, that is good. We work very closely together. We are

interdependent and neither one of us can be successful without the other.

The regions are in very different places. They are very strong at

certain things and they need support with the others. What we are working

on is to see what we can do collectively to help each region to

be as strong as it can be and then what are the things we can do

together that make sense to do together. We want to be within the

Pro12, we want to be getting to the latter stages of the European cup

editions. Money is a factor but I think great coaches can get great

things out of teams. Hence our focus on coaching. We are at the place

where we are getting into gritty conversations.

Money not to be all and end all, but when your competitors operate on

budgets that are sometimes millions more, it's a significant factor.

Yes. At the moment if you look at successful sides in most sports,

it's down to money. A lot coming through the academy, but they need

the money and I think the money will come. It won't come from the

benefactors so it has to be from the WRU. The relationship is a lot

better between the two sides. I think the money will come and it

will hopefully benefit the regions as well. If there's to be further

investment, they need a guarantee money will be spent wisely. Are the

relationships good enough that the mutual trust has been as Mike is

getting better. When I was coaching regional rugby 12 views ago there

was no relationship. In have guys willing to engage in some sort of

relationship. We need a coaching structure we haven't had the ten

years or so in Wales and it's showing now. Ultimately what makes

great coaches? Great players. You look at attendances. They are trying

to get them up. In all my travels around the world, the attitude of

those sporting bodies and teams outside Wales is get the media in,

get PR, marketing, allow players to do interviews and promote the brand.

We are slightly behind in Wales. Slightly negative, the relationship

between the media and the regions has to be better. There is a

knock-on effect because of the interest shown from that Fassett,

more people can watch the game. That has to benefit the regions. One of

the things we talked about was the appointment of the Wales coach is to

go on the Lions tour. I asked him if that was wise given the way let --

Wales are trying to change the way they play. We know some of the

backroom staff will be joining them. He said the experience they get will

benefit Wales in the longer term. Might Wales shuffle in the sort --

shorter term? They might, but you can't blame someone like Rob Howley,

it's the pinnacle of your coaching career. It will be a massive tour. I

can't blame them for that. It's what they are doing with the summer and

the Six Nations that I question. If we want to bring on young Welsh

coaches, maybe we should be doing that, not Alex King, an English

coach. I've worked with great young coaches. English men. What are we

doing in the short term to help Wales and help Rob Howley? What's

done is done. They are going. It's contractually done. I don't agree

with it, but it will benefit those individuals, but will it benefit

Wales? Wales is the priority if you're a Welsh coach or assistant

coach. Interesting to see how the Six Nations goes. The proof of the

pudding will come up soon. To the Premiership first because it was a

critical weekend, the last week of fixtures before the league splits.

The last opportunity to get your place in the top eight. 17 's had

done so and it was a shoot out between Cardiff and Deborah Vale.

-- seven teams. Our reporter went to avail to see if they could sneak in.

Plenty of big games in the Premiership, but none bigger than

the east Wales derby. It's the must win game for Ebbw Vale. Lose and

Cardiff might take their place. I'm looking forward to this one.

The crowd is up for this one. A lot of fans getting behind their boys.

Attacking scrum. Penalty given by the referee, Craig Evans. Points

mean prizes. Josh Lewis chips it over and Ebbw Vale are on the board.

Top eight, bottom eight, what's all that about? We looked at the

Premiership at the start of the year and had a discussion in terms of

adding excitement and jeopardy at certain times of the year. Over

Christmas and New Year we definitely added excitement in terms of media

attention and players and countries. The teams are trying to play, but

there's a lot on it. To be in the top eight and win the principality

Premiership. Good to see you back, you have a big reem it. I love the

job and I'm happy to be back. My glasses or was half full. We have

the Six Nations, a tour in the summer, the under 20s, the seven is

doing well, youngsters playing, women's World Cup coming up. Next

year we have the Commonwealth Games. We do need to make the product

better, but that's why I came back. The glass is always half full. Good

to see you back. I thought the glass was always half full because you

were waiting for somebody to get the next round! Lewis will need to give

this somewhere Lee. The halfway line. He's given it a fair old farm.

Has it got the legs? Yes! I say! Over the 22, out to Josh Lewis.

Flash and dance from Lewis, can he make the line? That's it, Ebbw have

secured the last place in the top eight of the Welsh Premiership. Left

it late, it was hard work, but they did it. You must be very proud but

also relieved. Very relieved. We've left ourselves a lot of work to do

with our performances earlier in the season but we've come through. A lot

of jeopardy in this new league and we were at the forefront of that. A

tough Christmas. Our last four games we knew we had to win at least two

and we've eventually done it. In the rest of the Premiership action,

Cardiff's American import can do and scored a hat-trick but it wasn't

enough to stop Adam Williams from securing the win. First against

third here. A half-break by James Garland and an neat inside ball to

Joe Thomson Reeves helping the wizards to the win. A thumping

victory for our GC against Pontypridd. Sam Jones coming off the

wing to weave his way through the defence and supply Aaron Evans with

one of the tries. Carmarthen Quins consolidated their top eight finish

against Bridge end. Josh Barrett cup with a pass and Gavin Tomlin is with

a chip. Lee Williams with the finish. A regional derby in the West

as clear Nestl squeeze as clear Nestle squeeze through.

Jones with a chip ahead and a defensive error allowed Jones to

pounce. Llanelli one of the big names missing out on the cut.

Our GC have had an impressive debut season in the top-flight. -- our GC.

Baba Rahman -- Aberavon probably wish they could fast forward a few.

Congratulations to Ebbw and all the teams who made the cut in the top

eight. Some sad news this week. David Thomas, the former Abrar Osman

chairman, who both these guys knew, Dave -- died this week at the age of

75. There he was scoring against Fiji for Wales. He was a bit of a

character. Yes, I played with his son Gareth. When you grow up in the

town, you talk about the legends like Alan Martin Ama Maxwell Sheard,

John Bevan. And Thomas, who used to like the soft centres in a box of

chocolates. We used to have great derbies and I came across a couple

of times. Lovely guy. Commiserations to his family. Great to see that try

against Fiji. The fixtures for the next round of Premiership action are

coming up over the next few days. Let's go somewhere else. For many

clubs at the grassroots of Welsh rugby its weekly struggle to even

get 15 players on the pitch. Phil Steele visited an iconic Cardiff

club that after a few troubling years it's beginning to find its

feet. When I was growing up and playing

rugby in Cardiff the kayaks were always a team to be reckoned with.

Founded 70 years ago in the docks area, Cardiff internationals this

letter club have always been a proud multiracial team. Their most famous

son, Billy Boston, was given the BBC Wales lifetime achievement award

recently in terms of his legendary rugby league career. There were

others such as Carl Smith who played 239 games for Cardiff and was one of

the best back row forwards of his generation. Now the club are bottom

of the league with no points and struggling to find players. A lot of

it is to do with the massive change that's happened on the docks. And

the influx of different culture that are just not interested in rugby.

Football has completely taken over in this area now. It is a struggle.

It's constant messages, e-mails, texts, to other clubs and the boys.

We tried to rope in a few others. But it is really, really hard work.

What help her view had from the WRU? None. None at all. They've been more

on ask for not fulfilling fixtures, for not getting in touch with

players and the other team to let them know we don't have a team. We

don't know whether we have a team by the Thursday. We are still trying to

get a side. We've been penalised for trying the hardest we can't and not

succeeding. People on Facebook, Twitter, advertising boards as well.

You've had influence with the WRU to try to get college boys down here

who want to play, but can't get a game with their own clubs. They take

them to other clubs but don't send any down here.

We've done as much as we can in terms of advertisements, going to

local schools. That's the way to do it. A couple of seasons ago we had a

junior side, but it fell away. We are trying to do it again.

You can't fault the effort, but sometimes when we are turning up to

games with 13 players, there's not a lot you can do. It's been hard. But

we enjoy the game and that's why we're trying to keep the club going.

There was no problem with player numbers yesterday, although not

quite the same multiracial balance as teams of the past. We were called

names that blatantly wouldn't happen now because they all got respect for

one another. We lost by two points, but for me it was a win. The closest

score we've had is 60-0. Definitely one of the best performances we've

had. Still capable of breathing and standing, I'll be here supporting,

working for the CIACs. I can't see us going backwards, only forwards.

That's the way to keep going, keep climbing up the hill until we get to

the top. Great story and congratulations to the CIACs for

getting their first league points, albeit in a losing cause. They are

also looking for a coach so if you fancy it, get a coach.

Look no further for inspiration than this story. 12 years ago Rob Davies

was backing down for Hezbollah bid Brecon RFC but collapsed scrum led

to a devastating neck injury and he was told he would never walk again.

As of last week, he was a member of the British Empire and Paralympic

in. Pretty amazing year between

everything. Getting married next year as well so a lot to look

forward to as well as this year being pretty amazing. Going to see

the Queen hopefully next year. I'm assuming your fiance will watch so

that will probably eclipse the other events, your wedding? Yes. I think

that's the right answer. Well done! Can you even begin to put into words

how you felt when he won the medal? Didn't think it was real and when it

actually happened, it was an amazing feeling. A fair change from a few

years ago, playing rugby, able-bodied and then being in that

final, playing in a wheelchair. I got over a lot to be in that

position. Lots of ups and downs, but made it worth it in the end. It was

while playing in the front row over Brecon that he suffered his life

changing injury. Remarkably, at the exact moment he broke his neck, his

twin brother was involved in the serious car crash en route to the

game. The air ambulance was called for both of them. While Rob refuses

to dwell on the past, his memories remain vivid. I still have a really

good memory of what happened. I tend not to think about it much now. When

I first had my accident, I was constantly thinking of it, but you

have to keep moving forward and make things better. Be positive. You

would be forgiven if your passion for rugby had disappeared given

what's happened. I just missed it, I just wish I could do it. I played

since I was four. It's been my life. It's made me who I am, team sport,

camaraderie, lifelong friends because of it.

Take us back to where this table tennis journey began. A member of

the Paralympics GB invited me into having not. First of all, I told her

to go away in no uncertain terms because it was a bit of a girly

sport, or so I thought. I thought I was going to get back on my feet and

play rugby again. But it wasn't to be. A few months later I got in

there and gave it a go and use that as my rehab, almost, and I haven't

stopped since. What next? Retire at the top? I am number one as well at

the moment so I want to stay there as long as I can. I am looking to

try and win the European Championship for the third time in a

row in September so that is my next goal. We wish you all success in

defending your European title and holding onto that number one spot as

long as possible. Thank you very much.

A top bloke, Rob, and thank you very much for Brecon for their kind

hospitality. An inspirational story and very best luck with the wedding,

not least the stag do as well. Back to the Pro12 now and the Blues had a

very tough away assignment in Glasgow last night.

The Blues holding out again. Can they keep on doing so? Just one

missed tackle could cost them dearly in this sort of situation. It is

loose for Swinson. Swinson for the line. Could not quite stretch his

six foot four. Glasgow hurdling bodies at the line and eventually

the home side have got there. The pressure had to tell in the end. And

the Glasgow pack producing the first try of the game. The cross kick. It

falls for Blaine Scully. And when Cardiff Blues couldn't create, they

have been handed a gift try a minute before the interval.

Russell into midfield. Tommy Seymour into the line. Alex Dunbar. Just

tackled short. Have Glasgow got the momentum? Forcing their way over and

they have scored. And Seymour finding another lovely

angle. In from the wing. Not held. Able to keep going. Two metres out.

They should be a try here. It is another one for Peter Murchie, seven

minutes after his first try. The Blues trying to drive it

sideways. Here come the Warriors. The Blues in

a little bit of disarray. And Glasgow have the bonus point try

with 16 minutes to spare. The line-out throw is a poor one

from Malcolm. Shingler with unexpected ball. Nicky Robinson

flick set out to Rhun Williams and their teenage winger slides in four

Cardiff Blues' second try. Glasgow are a very tough side and we

saw what they are all about tonight. Far too many errors from is that

gave them a lot of opportunities to build pressure and they are very

clinical. A pretty sobering night for the

Cardiff Blues and Glasgow as inventive as always in attack. But

at times the Blues made it easy for them. They were totally outplayed in

every part of the game. They are on a bad run at the moment and they are

making far too many errors. Their defence is very passive so they are

always on the back foot. They are not making the aggressive hits and

getting turnover ball. And when they get it they just squander it. They

have got to try and get that elusive win and get back on the horse. At

times, the possession stats were overwhelmingly in Glasgow's favour.

And the Blues just too porous at times. It is the first time I have

had alarm bells with the Blues. Very easy to gain yards for Glasgow. And

although this phase defence was good at times, some crucial line errors

and we have picked out a couple. Glasgow will take advantage of

those. Look at Seymour. Lloyd Williams is the inside defender so

you have got an extra defender on this set piece. If somebody comes

back into that channel, Shingler can slip off and allowed Lloyd Williams

to take that guy. The extra man is Seymour. Halaholo is left high and

dry. Either they all defend one way or they all drift inside. Look at

Seymour. He gets the second marker and is a double pump and holds him.

The outside guy, you have got to step in. Once one steps in, you all

step in. Unfortunately, it is the same problem. One goes in, one steps

out. Seymour has put his hand for a tour. I know Graham Steadman will be

saying, you have got to step in. If they get on the outside of you then,

they deserve to score the try. But they have got to communicate,

otherwise, if one goes in and one goes out, there are going to be

natural gaps and they are going to concede a lot of tries. So it is

communication rather than attitude? I can't talk about attitude, you

have got to go into the environment about that. But Seymour is ruthless

at the moment. But some of their home losses were against some of the

bigger sides and that was a little bit of alarm bells. I think Danny

would have expected a little bit more. The Dragons were hoping to

recover from two derby debates over the Christmas period. The visitors

to Rodney Parade were Treviso. Elliot Dee to feed the line-up for

the Dragons. Angus O'Brien goes vertical. It is a

bit too vertical. And it is picked up by Tito Tebaldi who goes into the

22. Get around his man. He scores! Out of the blue for Treviso.

Adam Warren. Does well to step inside and get over the gain line.

We are going to see a lot of this this evening. Phil Price this time.

Sarel Pretorius picks up and he is over. Superb opportunism by Sarel

Pretorius. That is the line of Treviso in the

background. Elliot Lee now. And back in the pocket is Angus O'Brien. To

try and take the Dragons two scores clear. And he does. Angus O'Brien

neatly done. And here comes the caveman stuff for

the Dragons. It is Nic Cudd. Lewis Evans gets the touchdown. And the

Dragons are well clear. So a welcome victory for the Dragons

and the Ospreys will end this jungle fixtures at the top of the pile in

the Pro12. Hot on their heels are Munster and Leinster. Munster do

have a game in hand. They had a bonus point victory over Racing in

Europe yesterday in their rearranged fixture. The Blues remain seventh.

And as you can see, six points adrift of the top six and that gap

beginning to widen. On the Dragons, Martin Phillips

hinting that the WRU may have no option but to take them over if the

investment they are seeking does not come to fruition. Stuart Davies

saying this week that they are people invested and we had Michael

Owen, the former captain, saying in the week, take them over, turn them

into a franchise and stick them in Pontypridd or North Wales. The first

thing is, that is what the problem is. It is great to get a result. But

I do think it is the investment and off the field is the priority for

the Dragons at the moment. If they can sort that out. But is it Newport

running the Dragons or Dragons running Newport? Sometimes I think

it is a little bit mixed up and I am not sure who is running the ship and

for what reason. Sometimes the board of directors and directors have got

to sit back and decide what is good for the region. I saw something with

Ben Jeffries in pottable, maybe you need a broad running the

professional game, a board running the semiprofessional and a board

running the amides. That is what happens in rugby league. Clear the

muddy waters of what is going on in the Dragons and Newport. But they

need to get that right. They need to get the investment right and if it

is not the people there now, maybe it is time to step away and look

elsewhere. And is the option of positioning the region elsewhere,

Gwent is the biggest district, the strongest representations of teams,

73 historic lives in Gwent, would it be a scandal? Yes, I was at Ebbw

Vale there and it was a good crowd. They are good people, they have got

a lot of young players. There has to be more positivity around the

Dragons region. There is always negativity, whether it is the pitch,

the team isn't good enough, they are not winning. The coaches are working

really hard. It was great to see them get a win. They need some

positivity, better facilities, and as you say, it is a big area. It is

a big area with great history. A region has got to be there. Once

they get people buying into that region, it could be one of the

strongest because having played at Ebbw Vale and Cross Keys and all

those clubs, it is a difficult place to go wherever you go. If they can

combine and everyone go in the same direction, it could be a very

successful area. I think it is all down to what is happening off the

field and not what is happening on the field. It is not all about money

but unfortunately most of it is. Wise words from Jonathan. At the

other end of the table, the Ospreys looking in fantastic form. Champions

elect? I think they could make the top two, which is really important.

They need to get a home semifinal. The Scarlets knocking on the door of

the top four. The Blues losing touch because Ulster have a game in hand

and they will be Treviso with five points. The shakedown is going to be

intriguing. Thanks for your company. Scrum five takes a little bit of a

break now. European action. When we return, we will be previewing the

greatest tournament of them all. I can't wait, neither can these two.

I'm sure you can't either. See you soon.

To put the cream on the Grand Slam Kate!

A second Grand Slam for Wales! And George North all the way

himself. This is the most dangerous,

the most despicable human being