Blues v Ospreys Scrum V Live Pro 12

It is Cardiff Blues versus Ospreys, and there are plenty of lions on the

prowl. The Ospreys side will be looking to ambush their rivals. It

is fifth versus ninth, but these derbies transcend positions, they

are all about bragging rights. The Ospreys have not

are all about bragging rights. The in the league

are all about bragging rights. The the bounce against Glasgow for the

Blues. They certainly seem to have turned a corner. Credit to Phil

Davies, he has stuck with the youngsters, and he has been without

quite a few players. It is the reintroduction of Dale McIntosh that

has brought a hard-nosed edge to the Blues. Vince he joined their win

record has gone up 67%. They concede less since he has been in the

defence. The one player who has stood out for them is Robin

Copeland. Not a Welshman, good in the air, and a really dynamic

ball-carrier. I think it is all about the Ospreys

tonight, if the Sam Hobbs is already indicating

the game, they will Sam Hobbs is already indicating

towards the post. Leigh Halfpenny is there to do the cooking. I wonder

what they would have made of the effort in Glasgow. -- there to do

the kicking. This kicking lark is pretty easy,

isn't it? Trust me, there is nothing to it.

The kick charged down. Gareth Davies happy to let it go over the dead

ball line. Every time he has stepped in he has had a game, Gareth Davies.

Scored a great try against Toulon. Good pressure from the Ospreys. Put

pressure on Lloyd Williams. It looks as if there is a strong wind out

there because that all has really held out. -- that ball.

Looking to bring forward into the action. Idea say

Looking to bring forward into the chasing. With the pitch as it is, he

just banged over. It's a very good kick.

It was actually the rain rather than the frost which did for Glasgow. The

pitches waterlogged. Whether they will try and play tomorrow...

pitches waterlogged. Whether they the pass. An opportunity there, they

had a lovely chance, then they throw the missed pass.

I think it is fascinating, anybody who has watched this over the last

few years, they have just dominated, they will play a much more open game

tonight. You have two sevens in the back row. Three on one opportunity

and he throws him this pass. Those are the opportunities you need to

take, you cannot squander. You don't want one of them, do you?

Thank you very much(!) A penalty. Tipuric was in there.

Dafydd Hewitt situation with the charge down and

the running from the scrum. Dan Biggar adds a penalty to his

earlier drop goal and the Ospreys edge ahead.

Good recycling by the Blues. Watts Jones on a carry.

The pass was judged forward so they are going to go for a scrum, rather

than a line-out. Macauley Cook was hugging the

left-hand side touchline. Someone has lost a boot!

Cuthbert eager to have ball in hand. Looking for the flow as he went to

ground. A good concerted Looking for the flow as he went to

ridiculous. You'd want to show that the forward had worked really hard

and the runners had held the defenders in and run the inside

shoulder to create space. If you're the third man out, you're creating

the space for the winger to score the try. You have to watch those. An

indication of the breeze, which is due to get stronger as the evening

progresses. Because of that, and because he wanted to keep it low and

hard into the wind, Leigh Halfpenny has missed one from straight in

front and I don't think I've ever said that before. He's given that

too much welly and he's actually pulled it. He's hip that so hard,

and pulled it slightly. You'd never think he was going to

miss that. He just wax it and it just fades over after he's past the

post. Unbelievable. This big yellow And as somebody who is incredibly is

appointed whenever he misses, that is going to hurt.

Phil, what is it like pitch side? If anything, the wind is favouring the

Blues. It is a bit diagonal but it is favouring the Blues, which makes

the Leigh Halfpenny miss is favouring the Blues, which makes

the field. Has anyone told Dan it isn't proper grass? He's digging his

in! How do you throw up a bit of grass to test the wind on this? You

just bring a bit with you! He really is such a superb time of

the ball. We're always on about He really is such a superb time of

to do a retrieving job. A little bit loose at times from the Ospreys. In

the end, they looked for the left boot of Sam Lewis. Sam Davies,

sorry. He's a full-back, playing in the position, but what he's doing is

coming in, not hitting the line outside the centre channel but what

he is doing is chipping in, looking for the gap, playing at the

stand-off and using his left foot. He's playing very well at the

moment, Sam Davies. I tell you what, he has missed two

in a row, the wind is definitely against him.

in a row, the wind is definitely is terrific. You cannot give up on

those kicks, because the grass could run in. Leigh Halfpenny is clean

through. But it is a last-ditch tackle. Just a couple of metres

short. He slept through and he's got it! That is a great finish. The

determination from the hooker, and the Blues get their reward, set up

by Leigh Halfpenny. Can you check the number two, the first

by Leigh Halfpenny. Can you check agrees. He managed to free himself

before the tackle had been completed. That is a great finish

from the hooker. I love to see Leigh Halfpenny do this. Look at the work

of the outside people, they offer him. Great tackle first of all. As

the ball comes out, the two of them running, the tackle is not complete,

upon his feet, that is a superb finish. Superb try. He has taken his

chance, he has been outstanding. He They took it back and they have to

switch on here. The Blues are away. What is wrong with that, then?

Nothing wrong with that. The Ospreys have got the advantage anyway.

good that both sides are looking to play first.

That is the only choice they had there.

And again, look how the bald guys on this field, -- look how the ball

dies on this field. Will not be happy with the line-out.

The sport review is on next. Dan Biggar is up for a long, we hope. It

looks like he has taken a smack in the ribs. By the look of him, he may

think it was a bit late. They suspect a late

Let's have a look. behind Adam Jones. Baldwin transfers

it back. Alun Wyn Jones is the first to carry

it, good defence from the Blues. Just got it.

He is making himself a nuisance, Sam Hobbs. Get it out to Dan Biggar.

Good onrushing defence from the Blues. Very good line speed. That is

a turnover, isn't it? I think it is. Blues. Very good line speed. That is

The Ospreys world again. A couple of metres

The Ospreys world again. A couple of Cuthbert, it makes it so much easier

for the rest of the side. They're coming through the middle and upper

moment I think the Blues are playing the referee a little bit. Otherwise

there's nothing in it whatsoever. They may have watched him refereeing

Leinster against Northampton last week. Dylan Hartley, how on earth he

didn't get yellow carded I will never know.

The Scarlet is tomorrow night on the red button and on S4C. Highlights

You've got to be careful. That was ridiculous. They're a point in

front. They're going to go points behind now just because of a poor

decision and a bad pass by Copland. If you are the ball carrier, just

take it up. Seven penalties to three con ceded

by the Blues. Dan Biggar has got all of their

points in the first half. The Ospreys lead 15-10. The Blues

captain, are you reasonably happy? Not really. We've given too many

penalties away in stupid areas. If we can tie things up with the wind

in the second half, we can tie things up and turn the pressure on.

Defence is good. We've just got to get hold of the ball and get ahead.

Here is the story of the half. We're closed to a full house at Arms

As usual, a feast of rugby on Boxing Day to look forward to. You will

have to stay tuned, or switch over to S4C for the East Wales derby.

Can't to S4C for the East Wales derby.

they won't get any. Can you see any sign of com provides? I can't at the

moment. It is an absolute mess. I've spoken to some of the people in the

regions and they're adamant that they are not prepared to put pen to

paper unless there is a change in the financial landscape. The union

are not prepared to do that. There are so many things happening. You've

got the Anglo Welsh league and the discussions have happened and been

under way. There are so many other options that seem to be discussed

and available, yet the options that seem to be discussed

probably still has most of the control. That has been mentioned a

lot recently. Whether that is a solution that

lot recently. Whether that is a that, between the unions, we have

the Scottish to worry about as well, and it is a really sad and

disappointing position we find ourselves in. There has to be a

compromise somewhere, but the unions are going to give more money, the

regions want more money, I think they are not going to sign the

agreement so where does that leave everybody? I do think that maybe

they need a little bit more funding, obviously that is the case, but

obviously also, the pro 12 needs to be more competitive. That is the

regions to blame they are. It is in such a mess, there has to be a

compromise and I cannot see it at the moment. Maybe, if this rugby

Championship comes into the four, the moment. Maybe, if this rugby

limbo, the regions cannot sign them, they do not know what competition

they will be in, what budgets, there is a real danger we will lose them

abroad. The unions have put a deadline of signing six players or

they would be offered central contracts. How unsettling is this?

Massively unsettling and massively unfair, I think the regions have

made it clear that they would not take on board a centrally contract

player. People like Leigh Halfpenny would be in limbo. It is unfair on

the players. It is a solution in one way of keeping them in Wales,

the players. It is a solution in one Wales if they are not going to play

rugby. The ball slices off the outside of

the boot. That is a bad miss. You have got to get position early in

the game. ball-carrier coming up here. In

previous seasons, that has been the problem, for the Ospreys. Plays his

rugby for Bridgend. I think there is a flag up on the

left side. Advantage being played at the

moment. The defensive speed has been very

good, it has been aggressive as well.

important that is. Taken cleanly and down to the opposite half. Far

better position from the Ospreys. Trying to drag them towards the

touchline. Yes! Justin Tipuric as got there, she was always in

control, you knew where to go and that was over the try line. They

looked as if they had that in control, the Blues, but Justin

Tipuric, he stepped out, they were committed, and he was in.

Yes. A lot of players were committed into driving into the line-out, and

he stepped Started outside the left-hand post,

drifted back in. Willie and, brilliant! -- brilliant, brilliant.

They are picking up the intensity now.

The penalty count is what has killed the Blues tonight.

Watkins with me. We heard about the bike ride going on from New York to

Boston. You're getting over cancer at the moment, or being treated for

cancer. How is it going? It's going really well. The medication I'm

taking hasn't really affected me too much so I can't complain, really.

It's an ongoing process and we'll see how it goes. You are an

ex-Newport and Scarlets player so your unbiased. I think they've

controlled the game really well. The Ospreys have edged in front and it

is quite a strong wind so I think the Blues need to use the elements.

And just to get Jonathan off my back, which

WHISTLE BLOWS REFEREE: You're too far.

They need some field position because

A little matter of 53 metres for Leigh Halfpenny.

That's brought them back down to one score.

Those aren't good signs for the Ospreys. He's not going to give a

card, as well, is he? thinking about possible adjustments.

The Blues have a good drive on into the Ospreys' territory.

That was unlucky. It came off a blue's foot. Halfpenny brings the

Blues back within a cake and it's game on in the final quarter.

They've got to focus now on taking it and getting the boot to it. They

have to carry the ball. Beck comes on. It's crazy that he didn't start

the game. It's changed now so it will definitely become more involved

in the game. -- Ashley Beck will get more involved.

in the game. -- Ashley Beck will get probably meant we were overplaying

at times in the first half but we've just got to have a bit more sense in

terms of what we are doing. COMMENTATOR: That was a bit

sideways. Robinson did well. That was a great tackle. He had no

managed to force a turnover. Sam managed to force a turnover. Sam

Again, the Blues have kicked through them, and Sam Davies, they have to

get back and help him because he is going to kick against this strong

wind, they are not going to get anything back, they have to carry

the ball in anger. Still in front, kill the clock down, keep

possession. Finely balanced as Macauley Cook takes the line-out.

Sam Hobbs... Read the line well. On for the final

quarter of an hour. It is Tito Tebaldi.

Distance from Leigh Halfpenny. This is on.

Looked very dangerous in the second half, Hanno Dirksen.

The Ospreys are taking it to the Blues. Back inside.

This all came from the missed penalty kick.

In the end, Lloyd Williams counts for nothing. That is a tough call on

the Blues. Eggs from now. Benoit Bourrust has gone off. -- this is a

big scrum now. Sam Lewis gives way for Tyler

Ardron. He has had a good game, Sam Lewis. One for the future, a

fantastic player. Another miskick. That has been

crucial. They need field positions. Mike Williams tries to get it

downfield. I think they have won the ball back extremely well, the

Ospreys. Well, this is where they want the

play. No full-back left, the outside half

has got to spot, have a chat with Cuthbert, and say, get on my

shoulder, chase this. Sam Davies doesn't play fullback and he does

get caught Very difficult to see what happened

from a pier. I think they were all offside. -- from here.

They can kick anywhere from the line, they just need to get the

field position, the Ospreys just need to stick it out.

They've got to secure possession and the Ospreys have now got to be very

disciplined. the Ospreys have now got to be very

see. It's been a good game, as well. Conditions haven't been ideal but

both sides have come out to play, though the second half has been a

bit scrappy. Munster versus Scarlets tomorrow night. Highlights

of the whole weekend on Sunday evening and then, of course, the

usual Boxing Day feast. Scarlets against Ospreys, and the battle in

the east to follow-on S4C - dragons against the Blues.

They had three wins and a draw from last few minutes.

They had three wins and a draw from nine. Final minute delay and the

Blues have all the way to go. A good tackle by Hasler on Cuthbert.

They've got to keep ball in hand, the Blues. Lloyd Williams for stove

the touchline. Good defending by the Ospreys. Jonathan, man of the match?

I think Alun Wyn has led. Jones has led. But in these conditions, the

kicking game, Leigh Halfpenny created a try kick and has dominated

the match. He's organised it Dan Biggar is here. 33 consecutive

kicks now. Your last near miss was Connacht in September. Luckily, we

got the win in the first half. It got our confidence up and it's a bit

more difficult. They struggled into the wind. That's how

more difficult. They struggled into here but, more importantly, it was

commitment to a big win. Your first time on the pitch but what

commitment to a big win. Your first like? It looked as if

commitment to a big win. Your first for ages. The pitch was good. The

wind was terrible for ages. The pitch was good. The

and I thought we just about hung on. We

and I thought we just about hung on. it's the first time we've had a

couple of wins back-to-back. Have a good Christmas. Cheers, and you.

That was Alun Wyn Jones this is story of the match.

It was a closely fought match with not much between the two sides. The

Blues edged ahead in the first half. Not long after the second half

began, Justin Tipuric did well at close range. Dan Biggar was just

keeping the Ospreys in front. Marc Thomas saw a yellow after repeated

infringements at scrum time. Leigh Halfpenny kept to the Blues in it

but ultimately they were three points short.

were breaking through tackles. Physical confrontation is Abe and

part of the game. We talked at the start of the game about Dan Biggar

having scored all the Ospreys' points. Justin Tipuric helped

himself to a try but Dan Biggar still played a massive part. It

deserved man of the match? Without doubt. As a tactician, he's

excellent. That snap drop goal was first class. The pressure he puts on

the opposite numbers, goal-kicking... As much as he's a

kicking out a half, he doesn't set things up and create things. And

defensively, I don't think there are many better tens in the world game

than Dan Biggar. many better tens in the world game

on when he back to Phil Steele now.

Bad luck on the defeat. What was the difference? We made a few crucial

errors at times but I thought overall, the effort of the players

was fantastic. Both sets of players played a good game of rugby. A great

game at times with lots of movement of the ball. We just didn't finish

the chances off in the second half and we didn't play in their 22 as

much as I would have liked. But we move on now. We can write a 10,000

crowd. A good game Dutchmen what does it say about regional rugby? It

was never in doubt for me. A great crowd. A good showpiece. Just a few

too many errors crowd. A good showpiece. Just a few

off field stuff? Frustrated and sick of being asked about it but the

players are fed up with it as well. It's something that we just want to

help us to continue winning. Well done to Steve. A great Father

Christmas beard! Let's look at the other results from the night. These

are the latest scores. A quick look at the table. The

results that have happened tonight will be reflected in this.

The Blues' long wait to beat the Ospreys in the Pro12 goes on. It's

been three long years since they last beaten them. That's all from us

but don't go anywhere because it is the Welsh Sports Review Of The Year

next. Have a look back over what has been a truly special Welsh sporting

year. been a truly special Welsh sporting

2013, the deer of the first Welsh Galactica over. From Spurs to Spain

for 100 million. The day of days to decide the Six Nations.

Going up to Wembley for the day, and going up at