Dragons v Leinster Scrum V Live Pro 12

50 years ago this week, here at Rodney Parade is the all Blacks were

beaten by Newport in one of the most memorable days in Welsh drug B.

History is made in Rodney Parade! For the first time ever, an

all-black touring side have gone down to Newport. 50 years on and on

landscape is very different, the game is professional and the clubs

don't play touring teams any more. In fact, clubs are no regions. This

region is the Dragons, they have a new coach in Lyn Jones but Rodney

Parade are still a rugby fortress. This season both Ulster and the

Scarlet 's have fallen here. Tremendous celebrations at Rodney

Parade! But on the road, the Dragons have struggled. An assistant coach

said last week that the hammering last week from the Ospreys was a

wake-up call. Tonight they welcome defending champions Leinster, a team

they have not beaten for nearly four years. Leinster'sbig guns have

arrived. Friday don't read the is always popular here at Rodney

Parade. The rain has held. These two teams are next each other the table.

Good evening and welcome to Scrum V. To Dragons away with the Welsh camp

at the moment. 17 Leinster players missing.

Success breeds success. Success attracts success. They have this

ability to lure in the players. You have Zane Kirchner, current

international player. Outstanding for us at Aberdare. You have Jimmy

Gopperth, he has really established himself in that position, big shoes

to fill, that is Jonny Sexton'sposition. Lote Tuqiri will

run back and run back hard tonight. Jason Tubby sat off the last couple

of weeks with concussion, how much have they missed them? The Dragons

lacked control the back, and that is the nuts and bolts of your games,

your exit and restarts the need to be stop on. The Dragons will be so

pleased to have Jason Tovey back tonight. This is the guy I believe

they need a temper them. In this sequence he touches the ball twice

really quickly. He plays as a second receiver off Lewis Evans, which

checks the defensive line speed. The Dragons seemed to get into the wider

channels when Jason Tovey plays at number ten. Look for him to make to

control the game better than Chris hurt last week. Pat Leach has a

superb all-round game. That can negate the threats of someone like

Zane Kirchner, having such a good kicking game. It will give you the

territory statistics that you need against a side like Leinster. Jason

Tovey is very important for the Dragons tonight. There is no Welsh

commentary to night, I am afraid. Scrum V radio is under way at the

moment. It is time to cross to our commentary team. Jonathan Davies,

and Gareth Charles. S: A lot of familiar faces -- a lot

of unfamiliar faces, maybe, with 17 players away with Ireland. Already

this season we have seen that Jimmy Gopperth is a matchwinner. Luke

Fitzgerald was a Lions four years ago. Zane Kirchner played in the

rugby championship, starts for the first time this season after coming

off the bench. Who knows, we could maybe see him in Springbok players

in -- in a Springbok jersey in a couple of weeks.

Andrew Coombs and to be found that I missing from this pack.

Lewis Evans ticks over the and C. Owen Evans recovered after

concussion. Hallam Amos is back from injury. For once the Dragons

arguably most the stronger bench. They have four capped players on

their bench. Jason Tovey was missed by the Dragons against the Ospreys.

The Ospreys /total domination. Hallam Amos is an interesting

selection. Let's see how he goes. He has plenty of -- plenty of old and

speed about him. It could be interesting. -- plenty of bulk.

That is a nice touch finder for Jason Tovey. It shows the difference

between Leinster and the Welsh regions, you can play people like

Lote Tuqiri, Zane Kirchner, that is maybe just finances. Tom Denton

provided the first line-out. Hallam Amos left that behind is, not

a great start for him. You have to catch at first. -- it first. That is

very good defence by Luke Fitzgerald. No advantage to come

from the initial knock-on advantage from Hallam Amos. There is the

knock-on. That is a good-looking Leinster

scrum. That is kind of ominous for the Dragons. 17 players out for

Leinster, maybe we were thinking we could have a crack at them up front.

I can see them getting much change out of the Leinster backline. Martin

Moore we have seen earlier this season on the tight head. He got a

try then. Michael Bent on the list had played for Ireland before he

played for Leinster. This scrum was not really Straits, but they got a

good nudge. All the backroom got up. -- all the back room got up.

They have smuggled it back to the. They are very much in consult --

very much in control. The dragon needs to get more men in there.

Insufficient numbers. Shane Jennings is wearing number seven, he has had

the ball tucked up his jumper all that time. Now he has been told to

use it, and he didn't. I think that was a lucky escape for the Dragons.

That is possession just given away I Leinster. They were clearly told

they had to use it. They have only got five seconds on which to do it,

but he held on for another five seconds and just yielded away

possession. This is a big scrum for the

Dragons. They were absolutely smashed. You could see that Leinster

were really going for that. They were just waiting for the ball to be

put in. Here comes the shunt. It is very, very ominous, that. I wouldn't

have expected that from a second string Leinster pack. I think

Channel one ball is probably a priority, in, I'd, get it away. You

would normally find Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Mike Ross in the roof. -- in

the front row. They are going for this scrum again, are they? It will

be a long evening for the one Evans, Sam Parry and Dan Way. --

Owen Evans. They will want as much thrust coming through from Adam

Jones, Matthew Screech and Jevon Groves as possible.

Crooked feed was given. Why would he do that? That is ridiculous. They

annihilated them in the scrum, then this scrum-half fit in a crooked

feed! Ridiculous! Richie Rees is looking to clear the

danger. The first one looked dodgy, the

second one was as well. It is totally unnecessary. You have to

question the intelligence of certain players sometimes, when the scrum

has been smashing them, that was soon crooked it was like a rugby

league scrum! That is a great kick by Jimmy

Gopperth. They went for touch last time a bit

further out. It has been a lacklustre start. That is sobered

Antic. -- so pedantic. They had a kick for the line-out, they had a

scrum, now they will have the shot at goal.

Put a little bit too much on it, and he hoped it. -- hooked. The opening

ten minutes, totally dominated by Leinster.

Possession has been so scarce. It was on again. Just one more pass. We

know that Richie Rees will bring some tempo to the game.

Rhys Ruddock up to ten metres outside the Dragons 22. Kirchner is

ready to come in, and they break. Gopperth spotted it well. There is

another penalty coming. It is free play now.

BOOING. The crowd is feeling that all of the kicks are going the way

of Leinster. Firstly, you have gone off your feet and come back up, you

must stay on your feet all the time or you will be penalised. That is an

acceptable. Get it sorted. -- not acceptable.

There we are. He goes in. He doesn't let him go. That is what he says. It

wasn't tackling. He goes for the ball.

Tried a bit too hard with his first effort. Still gave it a good whack,

but straight through the middle and the first points of the evening, not

surprisingly, go the way of Leinster. It has all been Leinster.

They have put them under pressure. They need to get the ball and a bit

of territory now. Pride did not get it, but Kirchner

was the first to react. -- Prydie. An interesting kick. Will he go for

goal? Tom Prydie goes for it. He favours the left. Kirchner goes

down. Straightaway, over the ball. He doesn't get cleared out. If the

Dragons and opportunity. He doesn't get cleared out. If the

the Dragons. The angle pushes it over the 50

metre mark. I do not think distance will be a problem for Tom Prydie. He

has got a good length on his kick, so it is just a question of the

technique. Beautifully struck by Tom Prydie in a game where 91% of the

territory has belonged to Leinster, the Dragons would be more than happy

to be at 3-3. Gopperth didn't give the chasing

players any opportunity to get that back. They have got to spread it a

little bit. . They need to move the pack around.

He hasn't found touch if that is what he meant to do. Jason Tovey was

trying his best to make sure that the ball was still moving and his

left foot was out of play. No, says Peter Fitzgibbon. Had the ball

stopped? Let us have a luck? No, it had not stopped. That was perfectly

done by Jason Tovey. He was still upset by some of the remarks

earlier, Peter Fitzgibbon. That would have been a bad call. It

was definitely moving. Sponsored by Spec Savers!

Rhys Ruddock, one cup for Ireland against Australia three years ago.

-- cap. Fanning chasers, everybody misses. -- chases.

Adam Hughes and fanning, they both had their eyes on the prize.

A grown followed immediately by Richie Rees. -- groan.

The rain has stayed away so far, but there has been plenty of it

recently. It will be very slippery underfoot and also throwing in.

Just for a moment, Tom Prydie felt he would get onto the loose ball. He

turned that over, for definite. That is the kind of pressure defence they

will be happy with. A poor pass by Gopperth, but he has been sent into

a difficult position. A good gang tackle, so a chance for the Dragons,

really, to have a little bit of time in Leinster's half. I would think

that Jason Tovey will want to have a little bit of a breathing space

defensively to put the boot to it. He will have a kick now and he will

have a line-out. The scrum is a shambles. You think, surely, with

their dominance, it would not have to infringe, but yet... They were

dominant with putting the pressure on, but Michael Bent comes around

the corner, that is why the penalty went against Leinster. They will get

the ball out, the likelihood is they will kick, and it is a Leinster

line-out, where as now, it is a Dragons line-out, 35 yards down the

field. A good line-out ball from Matthew

Screech. Sam Parry, for the first time. And the Dragons are stringing

together a couple of phases. Aaron Dundon got in over the ball,

just slightly isolated. Gives you the opportunity for another steel.

They just need a bit of continuity and momentum. In over the ball

quickly. He stayed on his feet. He has not been cleared out. Clear and

easy decision for the umpire. They are back in their own half again,

once again in defensive position. 20 minutes gone, and there has not been

one real attack. Nobody has gone through their phases. Nobody has

attacked from set piece. Charging down, and just behind the man.

Unlucky for the Dragons. Maybe Leinster, for a second, they

preferred the knock-on by John Cooney given. As it is, the Dragons

are in position and a chance to build. Nobody is contesting. Happy

to let it go out of play. He would have been in more pressure if he

played it. He watched it rolling over. He would have to catch it or

play it first. A good kick. An opportunity for the Dragons to put

pressure on the Leinster line-out. Difficult to get a clearing cake and

get position back in attacking position. -- clearing kick.

, double, no panic, well-controlled. Basic stuff, but very well done.

No one has had a real attacking opportunity yet.

That was well played by Richie Rees, because the ball was almost

dislodged. This is the way they have to go, down the middle.

Unfortunately, he was isolated and the opportunity has gone. Kingsley

Jones, what is the best way of contrasting against this Leinster

power. We don't want to scrum game tonight, we want to be positive with

what we are doing, but we have dropped three or four balls from

high balls and made too many unforced errors. Our kicking needs

to be better. That means we could put pressure on Leinster. Attack up

the middle, as Jonathan Davies said. I will take that on board, because

we all know how clever Jonathan is! No need to be sarcastic!

They have to protect their possession. Lewis Evans deemed to

have not stayed on his feet. I think they have to look to going up the

ruck area. Like most side these days, they don't commit men to it.

Even if they don't get anywhere, it will pull in the defence.

Sport Wales is to follow at nine o'clock tonight. There is the matter

of the Premiership Welsh derby on Sunday to look forward to. I am

looking forward to it! James -- Jimmy Gopperth went with a

drop goal. Sweetly struck. Leinster look comfortable in possession, but

they were forced into a drop goal there. It gives credit to the dragon

defence. I would like to see Leinster even go through the phases.

They haven't gone through any fears as yet. Unfortunately for the

Dragons, they have dropped a few ball, but they haven't had any

momentum. 27 minutes gone. I think the referee needs to let the game

flow a little bit. The deadlock is broken! I didn't

expect that that way! That is well finished by Leinster. Was there

effort in touch? IIMACRO1 check the grinding, and check for a foot in

touch. TMO: macro OK. Does he get rid of it before he is

dragged over. That is a tough one! I tell you what.

This second part of the equation is OK, the grinding is perfect. Let me

see this. Is he in touch. I think we need to see the other angle. It is

all a matter of when the ball was released, and when did the legs go

over the whitewash. It is a big darkened corner. His left leg was in

the air. I think we would need to go back a bit.

I would give the left foot in touch. I think his right foot is the

problem. Let's have a look, then. I think his left leg was in the air.

Well, the T M O, all the best, mate! I think he is in touch. It is his

right foot. His foot was in touch, so it is a line-out. Leinster will

be very disappointed. It was a superb cover tackle in the end that

denied Leinster. Let's just watch this. The defence

is very narrow. He puts in the kick. There is Jimmy Gopperth. He knows

that it could be still on, so he doesn't give up. That is great

support play by James Clapper, and a great tackle by the Dragons.

Some lovely handling initially, but just running tight in the end. I

think they need to loosen up this game. They haven't had the ball to

do it, unfortunately. Great off-load.

They have come back for the initial knock-on. I think they need to

simplify things, give it to one of their centres, straight down the

middle, straight over Jimmy Gopperth. That is what they have to

do, quick ball, up the number ten channel.

This is quickly taken! I tip goes! Superb try! What a great try!

Brilliant, quick thinking, quick hands, and what a try for Ross

Wardle. Leinster denied their own try a few seconds ago, and what a

fight back! Lovely ball by Richie Rees. Lovely play by the backs. Tom

Prydie doesn't panic, and that is lovely support by Ross Wardle.

That is a brilliant, brilliant drive. Limited possession. Fantastic

finish. Quick thinking by Richie Rees. The quality of hands. Hallam

Amos time that perfectly, Tom Prydie didn't panic and superb insight

support from Ross Wardle. That is inch perfect I52 macro. As a Richie

Rees gets the ball, they are all watching him. The ball then is put

into this space they are ball watching. Lovely try. Brilliant

play. Superb play by Richie Rees. A great pass.

Jason Tovey wasted no time there. Let's have a look at the possession

statistics. It is what you do with the ball that

is important. One opportunity and a brilliant, brilliant drive. Started

off by Richie Rees with a beautiful pass. It has certainly got the crowd

going again at Rodney Parade. It was a bit of a lacklustre start, but

anything bout at the end of the first half. Great support I Zane

Kirchner. With the backline that Leinster have, you would have to put

it through the hands and told the phases. One opportunity, that is the

difference at the moment. Zane Kirchner was upended by Tom

Prydie! Numbers on the left for Leinster, look at them, yet again

they are very conservative. Very good kick by Jimmy Gopperth. The

Dragons will settle for that. Kirchner at first came to prominence

four years ago on the Lions tour in South Africa waiting for the

emerging Springboks. He also played for the Springboks.

Adam Jones is told to leave it by Richie Rees.

In the Ulster game, they worked hard and they maintained the chase. The

kick hasn't been that great tonight, but the chase and the

breakdown has been very, very good. To go ten points clear with the

possession that they had is incredible, but that is down to

Leinster. Very, very poor in their attitude towards the attacking side

of the game. Great work by Evans after the tackle on Kirchner. That

is what you have to do. Over the ball before Shane Jennings and his

parlance could get in there. -- his pals could get in there. That gives

them the chance to extend the lead just before half-time. When you

think it is a bit too far, you put too much into it. A fair bit of

distance. But he pulled it a little bit. The effort affecting the

accuracy. Kirchner will be seeing that's chase

in his sleep tonight raining down on him. -- that chase. I think Kirchner

fancied a work-out before his international next week. He is

getting one. This is silly. Look, number eight, he just drifts. Just

before half-time, little mistake like that, now they are in the wrong

22. A couple of yards, just go back a little bit.

They need to keep their wits about them.

Shane Jennings piling in. It would be a Leinster penalty, not what the

Rodney Parade fans want. All the way back for a Leinster

penalty. It is not over yet. I am slightly surprised. They were

in the ascendancy. By the time Gopperth gets there, it is easy.

That is harsh again. I do not understand. There is no consistency

on the breakdown. If they do not kill you out, surely, that isn't

your fault if your hands on the ball. You have to cleaned out. -- if

they do not clean you out. The final kick of the first half

belongs to Gopperth. So do the three points. The game has really opened

up. 10-6 ahead to the Dragons. How pleasing is it that you have a

half-time lead? They have a very strong set piece, we are managing to

deal with it every now and again, but it is all about more

consistency. If you get any ball in the second half, you're looking

really dangerous. Yes, we need to maintain positivity.

Congratulations. Here is the story of the first half.

Four days out from bonfire night, it began with fireworks at Rodney

Parade, but Leinster 's drug first. -- struck first. It was all

Leinster, they looked like the only side likely to score, and they

thought they had, but Gopperth went over. The Dragons were on almost

immediately after that with a fantastic effort. Great hands from

Alan Amos. Tom Prydie almost had the gas to go all the way and had the

patience will stop the only try of this first half leaving the Dragons

10-6 ahead with Gopperth having that penalty. Look at the territory, 74%

for Leinster, 26% for Dragons. A few handling errors from the Dragons

earlier on, we saw that defensively, a few were a bit high. Both line-out

is working perfectly on these set pieces. -- each line-out was working

perfectly. Neither side launched any meaningful attack until the

half-hour, then there was the period when it sprung to life. They started

getting the crowd going, great character from the Dragons and

Richie Rees is having a great game. Doing everything that he should.

Some flair into the game. Some great flair. The crowd has been behind

them. You can see that Leinster are bit more frustrated. Prior to that

try, it looked like Leinster had gone over. Fantastic defensive work

from Tom Prydie to keep Noel Reid out. Yes, great work by Tom Prydie.

It look like Gopperth was celebrating. It shows the

determination, it can get rewards. Yes, they were very confident.

Grounding was fine, he did not realise that the foot went in touch.

That would have hurt them, it would lead to their frustration and

hopefully the Dragons will come out and will have a clinical line-out.

They are doing OK in the scrum. There was a patch for you thought

Leinster would put on the dominance, but they had been going well. They

need to keep frustrating Leinster and they could get a good winter

night. They were hurt much deeper when the Dragons struck back and

scored a fantastic try. Lewis Evans has been infringing. They

committee, they stay on their feet. Lewis Evans, he is the one that

creates the faculty in the end. -- creates the penalty. He goes to get

the outside offender. He takes the line forward. That enables Ross

Wardle to come and support. If you were screaming for Tom Prydie to

take it on, the Leinster defender has the angle on him, but it is the

tracking of Ross Wardle that makes the great try. Thank you. Apologies

for the technical difficulties. You were shouting in the studio, the

character from the Dragons, they were under the cosh in a nearly

succeeded, and the character to launch that attack with Richie Rees

at the heart and scored that try to stop -- that try. Yes, the stadium

here is a fortress. The back to what they know, back to the fortress of

Rodney Parade. With this great try, they are now behind this team and it

will go bad for Leinster and to fully add to their frustration. If

they carry on with the line-outs and keep them as it is, keep going hard

on the scrum, keep frustrating Leinster in the breakdown, and as

long as the character shows, that is all that counts. Sean, in the last

few weeks of this season, we spoke a lot about the improvement in the

defence in the Dragons under Lyn Jones and Kingsley Jones, we have

been looking at that closely tonight. Yes, Leinster paid respect

to that, they have, with a Russian line-out and they are aware of the

Dragons line-out. -- with a rush on the line-out. They are sitting here

on the tail of this drive to take on the Dragons. This was a very evident

in this first half. That manifests itself in the ability to attack.

They look to use Jennings on an ad play from the driving line-out. They

try with Clooney and try to get some play going. If we look at how the

Dragons reload the backline defence, they get off the line and

your skills have to be perfect to get through the blitz defence.

Again, the line-out here, particularly a short line-out, much

easier for the Dragons to rush. Extra forwards in the backline. Look

at the dedication to come right up and pressurise the Leinster attack

and create a turnover and eventually, this will reap tries for

the Dragons this season. Kudos to their defence, and there is the

Dragons dressing room. Something we spoke about during the first half,

the perceived weakness of the Leinster front five because there

are so many internationals away with Ireland at the moment, but that was

not the case in the early exchanges with the early Leinster scrums. Yes,

the first five, there wasn't much appearance, it is not what Leinster

are used to. They have Martin Moore, the Dragons, they try to get their

head on the engagement because there is more of a lead-in now, but the

ability of the Leinster pack driving through them, so the Dragons needs

to give it a bit more power and as long as they can keep it away from

Leinster, they are still in the game. That dominance of Leinster

carries on, they will see more penalties and some more three

points, so that is the focus of the Dragons in the second half. A big

weekend for Wales football plans, the first South Wales derby and card

of this weekend, a big preview coming up on BBC Two later today and

a lot more sports action this weekend.

Yes, scarred of and Swansea, different styles. -- Cardiff and

Swansea. What a try! Super! It is a brilliant feeling when you get that

goal in over your head. Also on Sunday, celebrating the anniversary

of that historic 50-year victory over the all Blacks erect Rodney

Parade by Newport, there was a big gala dinner in the week. -- here at

Rodney Parade. One of the team came over to South Wales on that trip,

and here he is. Yes, he played centre that day, now the president

of the Welsh Rugby union, he is here on the Rodney Parade pitch, what

memories does it invoke? A fabulous ground, on the day, there were

thousands of people screaming their heads. I remember the walk from the

clubrooms downed the seat, down to the pitch. -- down to the seat. It

was a terrible sort of day, dark and dingy, and a bit of rain. Annually,

we were well and truly beaten. And we acknowledge that, and well done

to Newport. That was a great New Zealand time, great New Zealand

side, some of them got knighted, how did that team back then compare to

the team you have got now with the Rugby World Cup winners? And a great

player in any era will be great in the next era. Given the benefits

they have today like training and nutrition and all of the improved

training regimes, I think that players of my day would have been as

good, but certainly, today, the team is going extremely well. He went

over in South Africa with your President hat on, that great test

match their clinch the title for New Zealand against South Africa, Wales

have got South Africa on Saturday, if you were Warren Gatland, what

tactics would you adopt? The Springboks are always strong in the

set piece. They tend to run out of puff before the finish. Wheels are

really good at the last game now days. I think that is the way they

will go. Good luck to New Zealand for their three games in the autumn

series, and I can say that because they are not playing Wales!

Magnificent memories. Looking ahead to the South Africa game, as they

will. The reminders perhaps the toughest team in world rugby. Are

they the biggest, most physical? They are big physical men. In terms

of the bullet-proof vest, you get no prouder player than I Welsh man

wearing the red jersey. There will be no worry there. They are big

men, but you can't get away from the fact that they have gone into games

in the past and believe the opposition. He can play away from

that, you need to confirm them. We need to take them on up front. Wales

had not won an autumn international since 2009! Any reasons to believe

we will beat South Africa? We recognise we have 56 world-class

players in our team. On the back of a positive Lions tour, those players

can have confidence playing at home. Use the six Nations from last year,

the summer that they had, and take to the Springboks. They are

extremely physical, but the boys are used to winning at the millennium

Stadium in big games. I think we will mix Alex Cuthbert and Jamie

Roberts, but we have enough strength in depth. Positivity, that is what

we once! Plenty of positivity for the Dragons the night as they are a

leading the champions, Leinster, tonight. We can return to our

commentary team now. No changes in the Leinster line-up.

They are in white. It doesn't look as though there are any changes in

their rank. Talking to Lyn Jones, they just want to cut out the

handling errors and they want consistency from the referee at the

break time. If they can do that, they will get more possession and

territory and get more control in the game. One opportunistic try has

been the distance. That is the difference as the game restarts. A

superbly taken try by Ross Wardle has put the Dragons in front.

Well played! And he came back for the tackle afterwords. Great

determination by Tom Prydie! Very, very good play. Just managed to get

our hands to Jimmy Gopperth when he was getting away. He does that, then

helps him into touch. Great position to start the second half. That is

the kind of commitments defensively that has put the Dragons ahead.

I think it is a penalty for offside. It will be three points for the

Dragons anyway. Let's try and get more!

No! A terrible pass or they would have been in!

It was well spotted that the blindside move was on. Just watch

number ten, Jimmy Gopperth. The ball hasn't left the line-out, so that is

a penalty. This is a very easy kick for Jason Tovey. Should be a simple

three points. Jason Tovey heads over this simple

penalty. This 7-point gap reappears. Very positive start to the second

period by the Dragons. Lovely hands and a great angle

offered by Pat Leach as well. Loose ball into the hands of Luke

Fitzgerald! That is a huge call. That is a bad mistake. The kick

didn't go into touch. It seems that the defensive line is

very narrow for the Dragons. They need to go through the phases.

Their defensive line is good, they are not making much yardage,

Leinster. Office feet? Yes. Clearly off his

feet. Again, a good steel in the tackle. The Dragons are clearly

trying to up the tempo of this game. Really good work by Dan Way. Rhys

Ruddock gets across really well to bring down Richie Rees. The Dragons

are far more dangerous with the ball in hand, they just need some field

position. Good work by Leinster to disrupt

about. The handling mistakes! They have got to cut those IT! That is

why they are not getting the possession or territory. That is

what was frustrating 47 -- that was frustratingly Lyn Jones when I spoke

to him at half-time. There was a natural hold their 425

macro run three. The dogleg defence. Here is the try. Lovely play by

Richie Rees. Lovely flute, lovely give-and-take. Fantastic try.

Great, great support by Ross Wardle. Brilliant try. Let's see some more

of them! Options either side. Great tackle by

Ross Wardle. Rhys Ruddock back in the thick of things.

There is not as much impetus from Leinster. They are not making much

impetus. Shane Jennings is normally such a direct runner. This is better

from Leinster, getting over the gain-line. Almost up to the 22.

Slowed down by the Dragons. REFEREE: macro not rolling away. I

would like to have a look at this again. TMO: not rolling away.

He has penalised Richie Rees there, on the bottom of the ruck. Wasn't

making much effort to get away. Here is the bench for the Dragons. We are

only showing you that, because there is a fancy new graphic! The

comparison is, Leinster have six Academy players on their bench. Same

graphic though, isn't it? Just different names. They love new toys,

these producers. Lovely quick by Jimmy Gopperth. --

lovely cake. Leinster haven't really created. They haven't made massive

inroads and creative quick ball. They just have to keep their

discipline. They are in the game with territory and possession, but

they have -- have got to cut out the handling mistakes.

Lote Tuqiri must be about 37, is equal, -- is he? That is unlucky on

Zane Kirchner, it went forward. Very solid under that. Not afraid of

getting onto the ball defensively or chasing the high attack.

The Dragons have heard a great first half, they do not want to spoil it

by bringing any subs on. Richie Rees did not get the ball

indirectly. The ball was wheeled around. This is the second time it

is a full penalty rather than a free kick, here's correcting himself. Ian

Davies corrected him. The Dragons with three wins and

three defeats of road this season, the wind is coming at home. The

winds coming at home. The advantages over, Alan Amos is on

the counterattack. Keep it on phases. Gain a bit of territory.

Let us hear from Sean, what you think they will be thinking? In

terms of the errors that have been creeping in, he will want a

regimented game. It will certainly be about errors, he will not want to

spoil the graphic, but he will want the team keeping the mood of the

game, he has the lead, he will want the next three points to be crucial.

He needs to cut down on the silly errors.

Jason Tovey, looking to see whether gaps are. -- where the gaps are.

Happy with that. Substitutions can now be made for the Dragons.

It is interesting. Nathan Williams for Owen Evans. Jonathan Evans,

Richie Rees scrum half. Let us see that graphic there with the subs.

Can we see that now? It only works when it is a full bench! Back to the

drawing board, boys! I got them! Again, the little mistakes, not

allowing them to keep possession for periods of time. I hope not, but

there is little mistakes could come back to haunt them. Again, not sure

about taking off Richie Rees. I think he has played exceptionally

well, here's darting, asking questions. They did the same when

they beat the Scarlet. Still 25 minutes ago. And yes, you

want to keep the impetus and ask different questions, but you do not

want to break it up too much and lose what you have got.

And the new loosehead, Nathan Williams, penalised at the first

scrum. Leinster will be thinking, hey, it

is only four points. Yes, they haven't really threatened. Those

handling errors could be costly, just taking the momentum from the

Dragons when they needed to keep possession.

Dominic Ryan was the one that came down in a heap, and Ian Davies Flag

is immediately. -- flagged it immediately. Your recommendation?

Yellow card against four black. Taking that out was dangerous play,

and it is a yellow card for that. He was up there for a long time. He

clearly takes number eight out. Adam Jones taking at Rhys Ruddock it was

supporting Dominic Ryan. And now, Leinster have the courage of their

convictions, a man short, and they will go for the jugular.

Expect the catch and drive from Leinster. They didn't do the first

part, let alone the second. But they have still got the ball. They can

build again. That is just what they are doing.

A great last-ditch tackle by Lewis Evans. Tremendous pressure now by

Leinster. Could be the defining moment of the game. Need to be

aggressive, not passive. An injured Leinster player, a man short. The

drive comes on. The trial looks good, it could be Aaron Dundon that

led that charge. Gareth, can you hear me? And you reason not to award

a try? -- any reason? I think they have got to give that try. Water

gets underneath them, not enough body. He has got to get that down.

That has got to be a try. His legs were there. You are allowed

to place it. Is there a second chance to get it to ground? Is

perfectly legal second move? That is a tough call tonight. The question

is loaded. So, Gareth Simmonds must be convinced, must have a reason not

to award it. Peter, there is no reason not to award a try. Leinster

have struck back. Aaron Dundon is the man to claim that try. Those

handling errors, and the discipline. That has rarely cost them. The

conversion is successful, Leinster at three points ahead. Richie Rees,

you have just come off, what you need to do to get back? Position and

territory, go through the phases, keep hold of the ball. We are making

mistakes, we're giving them an easy three points and they are working

their way up and scoring the try. But it is doable? Yes, 20 minutes to

go, and the boys are defending well. It is doable.

They are very slow in their reactions.

Kirchner weaves his way back into the field. Into the arms of Rob

Sidoli who has just come on. An unforced error follows. Good

pressure. Very good pressure. Just watch him closing him down

straightaway. They have to have possession now. They have to have

some possession and keep it. Unless they nullify the handling errors, I

do not think there is any way back. You have to build momentum by going

into phases and by cutting out those silly handling errors.

Jason Tovey with a nice off-load to Evans.

Jason Tovey looking for a space behind Darragh Fanning.

Again, possession statistics are very much in favour of Leinster as

they were in the first half. Pressure has time and options

through Gopperth. Looking a bit more threatening.

Building and putting the phases together. Kirchner is outside, and

Noel Reid flies through. That is a very, very well worked try. That

didn't come from nothing at all, there is patience in the build-up,

confidence in the ball in hand, and very well finished by Noel Reid.

Look at the numbers, a great run by Kirchner, give and take, and thank

you, a try. In the end, plenty of space for Noel

Reid. They softened up the defence of the Dragons, and eventually they

ran out of numbers. They are a man short, but that was a very well

crafted try. Two more added by Leinster, and they

are very much in the ascendancy at the moment. Just watch this. Stop it

there. Rob Sidoli goes from there, but then all of a sudden they are

short on the short side. A simple give and take. Just not matching

numbers, unfortunately. Before the restart, there are three

changes all in the/. Those points have come when Adam Jones was in the

sin-bin. It has been a very costly transgression. That is Leo Auva'a,

one of the three changes made in the Leinster pack. Great hands by Pat

Leach. Darragh Fanning has done well

officially -- initially. The ankle created by Dan Evans, gets

to pass away to Netani Talei. Hallam Amos has a go. Well picked up on the

run by Jonathan Evans. That was a great run by Sam Parry. In the

underside comes the supporting player, Lewis Evans. I wish the

referee had more feel for the game, given a chance! Let it run a little

bit. It is not about the referee, it is about the players. Good build-up

work by the Dragons. Great run. The tackle was not supporting his

weight, anyway. Zebre are winning acts at number! --

at Edinburgh. REFEREE: , the attacking player

never release the ball. Let's have a look.

Did he release it? Let's have a look. I think he released it with

his right arm, not his left! I don't think his left hand lettered

cool! -- let it cool -- go. Against the post by Jimmy Gopperth,

into the hands of Rob Sidoli. The clearing kick by Hallam Amos. The

Dragons are still ten points adrift. Great take by Dan Evans. They have

got to start chasing the game. The crowd are not too enamoured with

some of the decisions by Peter Fitzgibbon 's the night -- tonight.

That wasn't anything. Every decision that the Dragons get

my will be greeted with cheers! -- that is a good touch finder by Jason

Tovey, takes them into the 22. There is number 19, Ben Marshall, in from

the side. They need something like, don't they?

The foreword is looking for the drive on. Leinster look far better

side than going through the phases, don't they? Well played by the

Dragons! They got it away from the big Leinster/have a penalty coming.

Shane Jennings is getting a bit of a talking to.

This kick will bring them back to within a losing bonus point.

The Dragons are back within a converted try as the game goes into

the final ten minutes. Francisco Chaparro comes on for Dan

Way. Brendan Macken comes on for Luke Fitzgerald.

That went straight out! Now then! The crowd are getting them going.

Great break by Hallam Amos! Great tackle.

That is lazy, lazy defending. That was Jack O'Connell. Kick to the

corner. That is silly play. Great break by

Hallam Amos. Maybe didn't get the call that there was a player behind

him. Jason Tovey puts over another

penalty in quick succession. Now the Dragons are back within striking

distance. And they have an extra man for the rest of the game. It is

building up to a crescendo. Lovely inside support from Dan

Evans. They are pushing now. Great support by 60th macro. Go wider! It

is on! Keep possession! The crowd are involved is all right! Great

tackle. It has gone the foreword. Big mistake!

The presentation was not good. Lack of communication in the placement of

the ball. That is a costly mistake. Everything was going the way of the

Dragons, lovely angles of running, off-loading.

If The Dragons have certainly given it everything in the latter stages.

They have got five minutes to try and get that try to give them their

first win against Leinster in four years. Six out of 64 Leinster isn't

the recent record. -- six out of six is for Leinster is the recent

record. Some great supporter running. The

off-load and the support run from Japan are -- from Chaparro.

The handling errors, that is a big, big difference in the handling

errors. That is what really cost them tonight.

You have got a new front row on for Leinster now who have started one

game between them in the league. An interesting kick from Gopperth in

the end. Dan Evans is doing his best to stay in the field, but good

follow up from Kirchner. He does read it well in terms of which ones

to follow up, does Kirchner. He has got a cut here. Blood

everywhere. Some stitches needed here, I think.

Gustafson comes on. He is the replacement hooker.

As usual, Rhys Ruddock took us but in a sterling effort. -- Rhys

Ruddock has put in. Dan Evans, great front down Evans,

need some space! To see have the support? Great recovery work from

Luke Fitzgerald on his own try-line. Superb from the Dragons. They may

not get a try, but a scrum five metres out, and a chance to win it

from there. Is it a block? Not really a block. Only real option on

for him, he wanted the support, white and international winger did

have the gas to get the ball. Plenty of time left. There he is, getting

back. Rodney Parade, they are getting

their money 's worth. Nobody is leaving early, because the Dragons

now have a chance to pinch it. The 13th six lead at the second half

is dwindled away and turned over. -- the 13-6 lead.

They have the character to go and give themselves one last chance. An

inexperienced to Leinster front row, a man short on the back row. It is

eating away the time, so if the Dragons do score, Leinster will have

no time to bite back. Quickly taken by Jonathan Evans, but

not allowed. The whistle had gone. The crowd were celebrating, but it

was early, because the whistle had clearly gone. The penalty was not

allowed. Certainly eating into the clock. This will be the last phase

of Lane now. It is do or die for the Dragons. A desperate defence time

for Leinster. The Dragons scrum looks to be in the ascendancy and

Leinster are a man short. Inexperienced props in the front

row. Again, it is available. No, it has

spilled out, and the chance has gone for the Dragons. Leinster have to

clear the decks. Leinster have survived and the Dragons have gone

mighty, mighty close. They have lost at home at last, but it could not

have been closer and they had the chance at the death, but they could

not take it. The handling errors were the difference. They could not

give field position. They had lost momentum when that happened. A lot

of possession and territory that Leinster had. It wasn't a real

standout match. Rhys Ruddock was immense, his line-out, his defensive

work, he might get the man of the match. The crowd is totally

dissatisfied. They think that the referee, as much as I think, won the

game, but Leinster has shown why they are champions. The Dragons get

a losing bonus point, but Leinster come away with another win at Rodney

Parade, another win against the Dragons, that is seven in a row.

Leinster are big Tory is by 23-19. -- are victorious.

The Dragons took a lead after this try by Ross Wardle. Then there was

the yellow card. Leinster scored 14 unanswered points and put the game

beyond reach. Then Noel Reid after a break from Kirchner. They almost but

Leinster out of sight, but in all furnace to the Dragons, immense

character to come back within a score and they nearly got it at the

end, but heartbreak for the Dragons fans leaving Rodney Parade. The

final score, 19-23. They were all well many outfall to. -- they were

overwhelmingly outfought. That could be the difference between the two

sides. Let's take a look at that last sort of nail-biting few minutes

when the Dragons had those series of scrums on the line. It looks like

Jonathan Evans had gone over. I thought the Dragons should have been

in that position to take the game with all of those handling errors,

but you just felt with the scrum, we could have questioned the scrum. It

was so frustrating for the referee to call him back, but he has got to

be consistent. Let's get Sean in on this, ultimately, from the stats,

the Dragons put themselves in a winning position at the end, but too

many sloppy errors against a champions side like Leinster will

cost you. Yes, this was always going to be the toughest test of the

season, or was it a game the Dragons won or Leinster lost? This would be

the review from Lynne George on Monday. Too many basic skills

errors, they really struggles. The basics let them down. Time and time

again, Adam Hughes, the inter-contact goes forward. They

struggled under the high ball all night. There is no pressure, they

should take this regarding good field position. But when the changes

were made from this line-out, the knock-on, the infringement, they

were under pressure or light. Leinster went from the corner. They

held the line-out up in the air and forced the error from Adam Johnson.

He is not allowed to touch the literature until he hits the floor.

He gives away the penalty. They knew where they were doing, they pounded

the line and in the end, over they went for the crucial score. That was

the story. Even at the end, after a gate break-out from Dan Evans, in

all of the possession, they lasted. A tragic, tragic defeat in the end

and one that they will have to pick up on Monday. The Dragons had a

chance to win it, but perhaps the most crucial period, that yellow

card. Adam Jones sent to the bin, a cynical ploy from Leinster to hold

the man in there for longer than it needed to be, but it worked. Yes,

but I sure I'd would it himself. He had to it and went to early. If

Leinster were as blatant as they were, they needed to be taken out,

to expect that. We can go to Phil Steele, he is with Kirchner from

Leinster. Great to see you, how difficult was that for Leinster? We

stuck there for two minutes, the turnover came at the right time. You

are staying in Wales next week, and you looking forward to Wales in the

Millennium Stadium? I'm going home for a few days first, but then I

will be coming back for the match in the Millennium Stadium. I will see

what this election is like for next week and take it from there. -- the

selection. Dan Evans came on its maiden immediate impact to unlock

the Leinster defence that they didn't in the first half, should he

have started? He did the basics well, the high balls went up, he

caught them. He added some great impetus onto the line. Sean

mentioned the review that will come next week, what will Lynne be

telling the guys right now, was it that Leinster won or the Dragons

lost? It was the handling errors, it is that basic. Those yellow card

that either side, Leinster got 14 points and the Dragons only got

three. Is that tactical? There is all about how they react tactically

to the yellow card. Leinster, seven internationals gone, but they seem

to have that champion mentality, the chips were down and they got over

the line. Yes, they didn't do anything extravagant but they did

the basics well. Taking the tries, that was the simple thing, that was

the difference tonight. 20 seconds left, a prediction on Wales South

Africa? The confidence is there with Wales, I think it will be difficult

all the way. But I think that Wales can pip it.

That is it from us, the Dragons unbeaten run has come to an end,

good night. It is that time again, every year we

come, a pilgrimage, because in this earth, we believe. In this earth,

our dreams are harvested. We are of this land. Where ever we sit, we are

behind them. And on this soil, side-by-side they stand, rooted like

giant trees. And the earth beneath these men vibrate to the rhythm of

the beating heart of a land and people ready to unite. Unite around

this piece of our earth.