Ospreys v Ulster Scrum V Live Pro 12

Life is good at Osprey, it is a case of happy days and tries galore.

The players are enjoying their rugby and hitting the form of their lives.

The Ospreys are running away with this one. With the Lions leading

from the front, the Ospreys are unbeaten. It is a happy camp but

don't let the smile fool you. If the joke is a happy camp but don't let

the smile fool you. If the jokers in the pack don't Dan is on

record-breaking form, his right boot will punish you. A fantastic effort

from Dan Biggar. On the wing they have a secret weapon. A second for

Eli Walker. The Ospreys have scored 16 tries so far this season, more

than anyone else in the league. Twice as many as tonight's

opponents. It is Ulster's turn to test their mettle in the Lion's den.

It is always close between these two -- between these two. Two of the

last few games were settled by single point. Ulster finished top

last season but fell at the final hurdle in their quest to be

champions. The Ospreys are unbeaten and in

second place. For fans queueing to enter the Liberty Stadium this

evening, that it is a big night for the Ospreys. The rain has stopped

but we have had two hours of early evening sunshine at the Liberty and

they are expecting a season best crowd so far of around 10,000

supporters. Hello, good evening, welcomed the

Scrum V Live. What has been the secret of the Ospreys' success? The

form of Dan Biggar and Tito Tebaldi has been a contributing factor. Dan

Biggar last week smashed through the 1000 point barrier and on the

subject of Tito Tebaldi, Sean Holley is in our analysis truck and perhaps

the Ospreys are not missing others as much as they thought they might?

It is Daniel Biggar that is driving the Ospreys forward. It is usually

quite tight at the Liberty between Ulster and the Ospreys but I fancy

the Ospreys tonight. It is the presence of the Ospreys forward

which is impressive at the moment. They go forward, it frightens

opposition teams. The whole team is on the same page. The synergy

between forwards and backs is there. From this great maul, you can see.

The Lions plays are good at giving the whole squad a boost. The set

pieces are not quite right yet and the new forwards, but they will get

that right. It really stands out, the forwards' handling ability like

this sublime pass against Connacht lacked a week. Look tonight for some

early kicking game from the Ospreys but also some great interplay

between forwards and backs. This guy has been on the Ospreys' radar since

he was 15. He has the ability to get over the line in tight situations,

Eli Walker has that. He is electric, agile and strong. The Ospreys missed

his talent last year and it cost them. Watch out for Eli Walker.

Thank you, former Wales and Ospreys hooker Huw Bennett is with us

tonight. We will hear from him and Phil Steele and they will join us at

half-time. Scrum V is on the radio, Welsh language commentary on the red

button. With enhanced our commentary team, Jonathan Davies and Gareth

Charles. Thanks very much, Johann Muller

leading the way. As usual a very strong team. An international front

row, head of Muller himself and the back row that has got all the

elements, a grafter, a carrier and affection. Late change behind these

Darren Cave come into midfield for Daren Payne, who is suffering from

food poisoning. Luke Marshall, a threat in midfield and Craig

Gilroy, we are used to seeing him on the wing rather than fullback.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE For the first time this season, the

five Osprey Lions are there together in the pack. That is a daunting

prospect for anybody to faith. -- to face. Not too bad behind, there is

Biggar, Beck and Bishop and plenty of firepower in Walker, Fussell and

hassle. -- Haslett. Tyler Ardron in the back row for the

first time. The other Canadian import this season, interesting to

see how he fits in with Joe Bierman and Justin Tipuric. Yes, really

looking forward to tonight. It is not a bad evening, fantastic

condition, there was football last night. This should be a cracking

game. Both teams won away from home last year. The Ospreys undefeated so

far, as Paul Marshall comes around the sides far too quickly. He got

his hands on the ball, it would be nice to see the replay because they

are training with hands on the ball. He can shoot at the line. To the

naked eye I thought he came a bit early but let's see if he was

offside with the hands on the ball. Cave had to make sure he was not

challenging Richard Fussell in the air.

WHISTLE BLOWS Darren Cave was the one who was

picked out, not making enough of an effort to get away after the tackle

had been completed. He was then impeding the ball coming back to the

Ospreys, although he was not actually in contact with the ball.

He was there in the way. A very good kick. Yes, this is the penalty.

Let's see, heat pushes onto the ball. He is on side, definitely on

side, I think. His hands on the ball, that was not a penalty. It was

a similar incident, Kieran Read against Argentina. New Zealand

score. The same thing, the timing -- they are timing the run so well now

the scrum-halves have to get the ball away very quickly.

The Ospreys looking to stay on their feet and set up the drive. This is

where they are good, the Ospreys. So powerful, so well drilled.

No room whatsoever, Rory Best was leading the charge down. He might

have to be a yard quicker, Dan. The ball was slow coming back and he did

not have that much depth. He is a little bit flat there. Because the

chase was very good, Rory Best came out of the blocks well. I don't

think he was thinking of doing that, the ball came out too slow and

he did not have time to get back in the box. Just five in the line for

Ulster. I think Nick Williams has hurt

himself, he bounced off the tackle Eli Walker. A big off-load. Bearman

looking to keep it alive but a little bit overambitious. I thought

he had lined him up there. Nick Williams, I thought he had... I am

sure a lot of people were looking forward to the battle between Tommy

Broward Eli Walker. Tommy Bowie is suffering with a dead leg. Andrew

Trimble, 50 caps Ireland. Not great delivery from the line from Ulster.

Pressure on the scrum-half. He unluckily runs into his own man

here. Ryan Bevington, but once he realised he wasn't a winner, decided

to keep it. He turns away, Bevington does exceptionally well.

See how the first scrum of the evening eventually shapes up, when

they get down. Plenty of caps around, plenty of

experience as well. All three in the Ulster front row the wrong side of

30. Maybe the right side for experience.

That is interesting. There is a very good crowd in here tonight as well.

Two nights of top-class sport for the city to enjoy. And both sides

going extremely well. The swans in the pouring rain last night but

thankfully the condition is much better tonight.

He took his eye off the ball there, Hassler. The defender coming towards

him, just watch. He didn't get under it, that is what it was. He didn't

time his jump very well and the ball was too far away. I have been very

impressed with this guy's strong running though. He really has made

an impression. Joined from the prairie wolf pack.

These scrums are taking an age already.

That is better looking from Ulster. I think it was going to give a free

kick against Bevington there again. Gilroy will pose an attacking

threat. A big hit on Robbie Diack. Tipuric and Bearman together, a good

topple -- double tackle together. The outside defences going up very

quickly by the Ospreys. It just needed somebody who was aware

whether whole was, he could have put them through.

You can see how the Ospreys are pushing outside, they are looking

for the inside balls to see if there is lazy defending on the inside. So

far, there hasn't been. Stopped in his tracks. They have got

to stop him. It is a great battle. They are asking questions of the

Ospreys defence. Jackson looks inside. Still making yards, great

tackle. And Marshall has to pick up and just start again, which is what

they have done. They are keeping their patience well. Again, he went

backwards. It has gone forward. And round one goes to the Ospreys'

defence. They asked a lot of questions there but there were some

great tackles. I think they have realised that Nick Williams is the

ball-carrier. Every time he has got it, they have lined him up and

absolutely smashed him. Joe Bearman goes highly. Backe goes.

Good tackle, led by Joe Bearman. He is the one getting treatment at the

moment. There he is. One thing I have noticed, run it on, stop it

there, just watch, they target Adam Jones there. Run it on a little bit,

stop it there. There we go. On this occasion, run it on, he comes on the

inside run. He has spotted the gap but Trimble came on the wrong

angle. He should have come on the outside, not the inside. That is

what they are trying to do, they are running decoy runners and targeting

the front row around the pack. Very good play by Ulster. But again,

great defence by the Ospreys. It is a very intriguing battle at the

moment. Ten minutes played and it is a free

kick apiece from the scrums. The Ospreys replying in kind. Good

take by Paul Marshall. A little bit too quick in the end and it has

snuck out the side and Ryan Bevington and Richard Hibbard were

there. Ashley Beck with the kick into space. Plenty of time for Mike

Allen. And a decent clearance kick as well

from the Ulster left wing. It is interesting now that from free

kicks, they are putting balls in the air. Contesting. Sometimes they are

looking for the variation. If you put the ball in the air, you are

contesting for it. There is Ryan Bevington going in. They eventually

get it back. But as I said, if they get a free kick, put an abandoned,

you are contesting for possession. Sometimes, take a couple of drives

and try to get some field position. But is not straight. Not the

strictest of the rose from Richard Hibbard. -- straight test.

Yes, definitely on the Ospreys' side.

Ulster are going to be forced into making an early change behind. The

referee has not noticed yet. Paul Marshall trying to tell him before

he sets the scrum. Now they will get the opportunity. It is Craig Gilroy

having to leave. It is the third time now. So, that

is three penalties. One penalty and two free kicks gone against them.

Interesting, the next decision. Yes, I dare say Alun Wyn Jones will

do his best to have a word with Peter Fitzgibbon. Indeed, he takes

this very opportunity to do so. Yes. Slow ball for Paul Marshall. Nick

Williams is waiting but so are the Ospreys defence. Chris Henry is the

one to take it on first. Good running. Knock-on. It spills

out again. Trying to use the dummy runner. He came back on the angle.

It was Marshall receiving at this time but could not hold on to it.

Let's go down to the touchline. I Hammond joined by Hugh Bennett. The

scrums have been a little bit iffy so far. What is going on? Not one

team has become the power pack, so to say. The referee is holding back

and that is adding to the extra tension there. If we look at this

scrum, it is the Ospreys ball. We will see if anything changes. We

have two experienced packs. There we go. The penalty has gone the other

way. One penalty for one, one for the other? We will have two C. What

about the line-out? No team has really found their feet yet. The

line-out has not gone to plan for the Ospreys as yet. They have

another line-out. The key thing is not to make mistakes. I am sure it

will turn out right. Happy birthday to Ian Evans today. He is 28 years

of age today. And he has had some new teeth, so they tell me. Yes, I

saw a flash of them. An international hooker and he does not

really know what is going on in the scrum either. A penalty to the

Ospreys and then a penalty to Ulster. It is very tricky. Great

take by Dan Biggar. A chance to spread. Ahead of Trimble but Joe

Bearman was lined up. He did extremely well not to die with that

one. He has to go to ground. That is great work. I think Robbie Diack had

in them. Great play by him. Great play by the flankers. Henry

eventually got underneath him and the other flank, Robbie Diack, was

the one who got him in the first place. This is a real, real test,

this match. 17 minutes gone and there has not really been a scoring

opportunity yet. Defences have been great. And if anything, Ulster just

have the edge attacking wise. Field position. But we always knew this

was going to be one of the big games. There we are. An ankle

problem for Craig Gilroy. Jarrod Payne has been starting as

fullback. He was meant to start in the centre tonight, the New

Zealander. But he cried off late with food poisoning. Plenty of time

for Paul Marshall to pick his spot, pretty much. As Hugh Bennett said on

the touchline, no one really has got the upper hand on any area of the

game. The scrum has been sort of slightly scrappy, the line-outs have

not really been good. No one has dominated. Possession and territory,

I feel Ulster have a slight advantage.

This will be an interesting call. Anything that happens like that.

REFEREE: I know you genuinely contested for

possession but you still must be careful when he is in the air. It is

a penalty. But be careful. I think that is good refereeing. That is

fair enough. If it was a good contest in the air, it is not his

job to support the man. Yes, he goes up in the air. He has to be careful

of not talking the arm on the way down. Just watch, he flaps at the

ball. He did not really take his arm off, nothing like that. But is a

good decision by the referee. Penalty, nothing more.

Now then, attacking position, Ospreys. Almost a quarter of the

game gone and we are still waiting for our first points. I have not

seen a scoreless draw for a while. What odds would you get on that now?

Michael Laudrup, are you watching? That is what he had the orange boots

on for. He needs runners. He is a little too far away from him. Robbie

Diack and Williams tried to hold him up again but it did not work this

time. It is a penalty. It is a similar position to earlier. It was

Robbie Diack and Hendry last time. You could see what they were trying

to do but that time, they flopped over on him. That is the danger of

the two-man tackle. Nick Williams, turning. I think the presence of

Tyler Ardron pulled them down. Yes, Tyler Ardron, I have to concentrate

saying that. Tyler Ardron, got it, locked in.

That's it, exactly halfway through the first half, the game of chess is

finally broken with the first points going to Dan Biggar. That is where

the Ospreys are very good. They do turn possession into points. They

have not had much pressure whatsoever.

Nick Williams has called for it. Great take. Again, the Ospreys are

very quick to try and pounce on the secondary ball. Tyler Ardron offside

there. But they will be happy with that, the Ospreys. Jackson

immediately goes backtracking. He knew his kick was not a good one. A

chance to counterattack. Straight out to Richard Fussell. Eli

Walker, early ball. Good tackle by Luke Marshall. That is what you want

to do to Eli Walker, give him the yearly pass. Joe Bearman is doing

everything tonight, feet, hands. Give it, running off the ball.

Lovely dummy from Dan Biggar. That is good play by Henry. Overlap.

Richard Hibbard just blocked the scrum-half, Paul Marshall. Just

watch. He says he went in from the side. It was more of a block than

anything. Just watch. Richard Hibbard overruns it. And then

unfortunately just takes Marshall out of the way. There is Joe

Bearman. Good hands. Interesting to see Richard Hibbard

with his socks rolled down around his ankles. Even though Hawking is

becoming an art again these days. It used to happen back in the days that

the hookers would have a couple of shin pads on. Yes, if somebody saw

no shin pads on, they would absolutely kick their shins. That is

what they would do. Very good defence by the Ospreys.

They will wait to see the chink in the armour, they will not panic. It

is a good tussle, a very good tussle, two good sides. They have to

go right because they are short on the left-hand side now.

The line speed onto Nick Williams is brilliant. He has not been giving an

inch. Looking for the deep past, he tried to force the past. Good play,

good play. By both sides. Great defence.

Allen is trying to create space on the left wing. The only is sometimes

the timing of the decoy doesn't give the ball carrier the option because

what you have to try to do there is hold and hold and hold your line so

you are still an option because once the decoy runs through to early they

drifted ride and pulled the runner up so you have to really time the

decoy run so that you are an option. Because once you go in front of the

ball you might as well be playing American football.

He was offside, the winger, a good call by the referee. A good

clearance. You know now this is not going to be a runaway score by

either side. It is a tough, tough encounter. They both know how

important it is, towards the latter end of the season because these two

sides will be pushing for top four. Absolutely smashed. Good tackle. The

defence has been brilliant for both sides.

A decent looking reply from the Ulster ten.

That is a good kick as well. Two good kicks, a very good kick.

Ardron, right in his face. Not for the first time Paul Marshall has

awkward ball from the line, shall we say?

The defences of both sides are brilliant.

Jackson, weighing up the options. He had a look to the right-hand side,

straight down the middle. We will have a second look at it,

but the officials weren't. There is no doubt what the home crowd

thought. It is Marshall just keeping it in on the touchline. Bearman had

thought about it and in the end take it out. Does he knock this on? No.

Took his hands away. There are two things, he could have

stepped straight out, but what he did was very good though.

That is a poor kick from the Ulster stand-off.

Alun Wyn Jones gets over the gain-line, but it is given against

Tyler Ardron. Again, the defence is proving not

just difficult to impossible to break down so far. -- not just

difficult, but impossible to break down so far. If we run it on here,

the Ospreys create the overlap. You have got numbers here. This defender

does so well because he stops the past to go out wide. You are running

on, Tebaldi has to through the dummy because he stepped out of the line.

Very good defence bike Ulster but the opportunity was on the left --

was on the right-hand side. Again, good play by both sides.

Ashley Beck looks for something different.

They are flying up in midfield, the Ospreys. Flying up as a unit.

Even when they have looked to have gone on the outside, the Ospreys are

not giving anything up. They have had most possession,

Ulster, but the Ospreys' defence has been superb. Both defences have been

superb, actually, and also disciplined.

Great defence by the Ospreys on this occasion. They are throwing

everything at them. Let's hear from you again. You have

played in games like this and it is very tight. How important is Dan

Biggar in a game like this? Definitely, certain areas around the

field, it is free points. We have seen one penalty kick, great touch

finders. He is getting ten or 20 yards, 30 or 40 and that is key. It

is about getting down. -- it is now getting downfield. For a 23 oldest

is. It is Best against Hibberd. How many plays of line-out do

professional teams have? How many variations of sorrow? You properly

have an average of eight set-ups, each set-up will carry eight or ten

calls so you are talking around 80 extra line-outs but you are not

going to lose everyone in the game. You see what position you have got

coming up in the week and try to cut them down as much as you can. 80

different variations of line-out calls in the professional game. A

bit different from our day. Well, it may be low on points but it

is not on intensity. These are two well matched sides just sizing each

other out. That was a bit of a mess. I think

this could be. Here we go. Anything could happen here. Let's listen.

There was a little bit of handbags between both sides. The back three

grabbed around the neck and pulled him down. Black three.

REFEREE: You reckon it is a penalty, speak to

number three. Well, it is an untidy passage of

play. What is coming in from all kinds of angles. Paul Marshall

wasn't anywhere near the ball. Adam Jones was a little bit too near Paul

Marshall. One, two, three, got him, hold him

down. I think you thought he was away then

because the path he thought had beaten I think it was Ashley Beck, a

lovely, lovely pass but recovered exceptionally well. Just watch. He

has just gone on the outside of him really, he recovered very well.

Defence is so much about confidence in yourself and the men around you.

The referee has got to sort the scrum out, hasn't he?

I think they will be enjoying this game. The purists. Defence. I have

to say, I think, both sides defensively have been great but also

the discipline. Not one penalty in a kickable position. What's happening

here now? Oh, hang on. Let's see what he has

got to say. REFEREE:

Listen to what I am telling you. Go back, I don't need you. On the

engagement, you either drop on your bind or you are going in from an

angle. This is the second penalty against you. There's the possibility

of a yellow card if you don't your behaviour.

If the captain is asking him, can I ask you something, he should give

them the right to ask him something. He has explained his position, a

possibility, there is no possibility, it is a yellow card

next. He should run up to him now and have a word with him. He did do

exactly that. Fair play. He bursts through. Just slip that

the vital moment but it is a great position is for the Ospreys. Richard

Hibbard takes it on but Justin Tipuric was in front of him. Was not

intentional but it was just bad timing from the Ospreys.

Such a nice move, bringing in Ashley Beck on the different angle. And the

Ospreys were certainly on the front foot but unfortunately for them, the

lines of running a little bit too confused. Just watch, this is clever

play. If we run it on from here, stop it there, just watch him

running, he will run straight across their, and run it on, he gets in the

way, takes a defender, he runs on the inside shoulder of the referee.

That's the way to do it. Very clever play.

Hold down illegally because that was the first real line-out drive we

have seen this evening. And it was going at a rate of knots. He has

been making himself such a nuisance in the first half, slowing the ball.

Their years. Oh, hang on. Dirty play.

Alun Wyn Jones was making a real nuisance of himself, but did one of

the Ulstermen take the law into his own hands? Yes, it is a net grab.

They can go back and check for dirty play. I am not sure if this came

from the assistant referee. That was on the shoulder. That is not

really, no, I think you thought about it but then thought better of

it. That is more WWF than the other one. That is nothing. If that is a

penalty, I think the game is going in the wrong direction. I think it

is very good that he has asked the question, he has asked the question,

but I do not think that is a penalty.

Let's have a look. That is the grab. He is holding him back. He is trying

to stop him. That is not a penalty. Hang on, is that an elbow? That is

not really an elbow. It looked like a net grab from there, you could see

what he was talking about but that is no problem.

REFEREE: There was an elbow by white five in

the face. Reverse the penalty. Penalty black. Just a penalty.

REFEREE: Same as I said earlier, you cannot

go up around there. The crowd are happy but I think that

is very harsh. Hang on, this is it coming up here. That is not an

elbow. And our boys if you pull your arm away and smashed him in the

face. -- an elbow. Alun Wyn Jones has been brilliant baking a nuisance

of himself. Some of the officials just keep your nose out, right, this

is a contact sport. This is a contact sport. Look at the size of

these blokes ripping into each other. It is just bordering on

pathetic. There is bound to be contact. That is not an elbow. I am

sorry to say. I am with you on that one. So this will be the final kick

of the first half. And it is struck superbly by Dan Biggar. Straight

down the middle and that is a real bonus for the Ospreys in such a

tight game. Dan Biggar with the penalties for the Ospreys. Alun Wyn

Jones, a really intense first half. What was it like to play in?

Probably a bit too eager at times in the red zone, V-22, but we need to

be a bit more clinical. And you have got Dan Biggar. Yes, he will keep

the scoreboard ticking over. They have got Dan Biggar to keep the

scoreboard ticking. It will be intense in the second half. Here is

the story of the first half. Not a great deal to talk about in

terms of scores. No tries but plenty of big hits. It has been a game

ruled by defences on both sides. But Dan Biggar has had two opportunities

and he has kicked both of them. That is all that is separating these two

sides. It is always close when the Ospreys take on Ulster. Let's take a

look at those statistics. The Ospreys just behind in terms of

possession and territory. They had been into the opposition 22 on three

occasions and crucially, they have come away with points. They have

made fewer tackles. An intriguing game, I think it is

fair to say, even though it has not -- there has not been any tries. One

for the purists, I guess. Looking at those defences, they are watertight

at the moment. Yes, it is a story of defence at the moment, sadly. Ulster

have come here and they have come here direct. But they are playing

into one of the Ospreys' strengths, the blitz defence. Dan Biggar will

kick the penalties anywhere in the opposition half. Sean Holley has

been looking at that Ospreys blitz defence. We said it would be tight.

But this just gives me a chance to show you one or two technical

aspects of the Ospreys's blitz defence. I want to show you the

outside foot of these defenders. The outside foot is up and they are

telling the opposition that they are coming up from out two in. A very

aggressive blitz defences they have adopted over the last decade. Alun

Wyn Jones comes in, Ian Evans, coaches call that a plus one

defender. It slows it up. But he should be out here giving wit to

allow them to blitz defence on the next phase. This is the gain line.

Richard Fussell has redeveloped as a fullback. He is covering on the

sweep. Even in that tight sequence, you are vulnerable. Thank you very

much. That is the key thing with the blitz defence. Everyone has to be

working to the same system at the same time. Yes, but like Sean Holley

alluded to, this is not the first time they have done the blitz

defence. They have mastered it. Good players coming in and they need to

speed up. Again, it is a job for the senior members to pass down as well.

Some enormous individual hits going into night. The new guy, Tyler

Ardron, we have seen him putting himself about a bit. Joe Bearman is

doing some pretty special things. Definitely. I am not sure if it is

those boots. You talk about talismanic for Ulster, Nick

Williams. He is running hard but Joe Bearman is putting him down. This is

the Joe Bearman you know, the individual skills. I don't know. You

may have been watching the football team last night. Who else has stood

out for you so far for the Ospreys? It has been a game of watertight

defences. I have mentioned Dan Biggar. The difference in the score

is Dan Biggar. But everyone is putting in the big tackles. It is

just a matter of in the second half 20 minutes to go, who will start

missing the tackles and that will be the crucial factor of the game

continues like this. The statistics were pretty equal. It is a bit of a

peculiar half-time chat. What are the coaches saying right now? It is

quite cagey. Pretty much the same messages as before the game. The

game plans will not have changed too much. But as the home team, the

Ospreys were be looking to be the aggressors. They need to keep

possession a little bit more, build some possession and territory and

get some penalties that allow them to strike. But also tactically, they

need to make a few extra passes and get that into play together that I

talked about before the game. This is an example. The forwards go

around the corner. Trying to stretch the Ulster defence. Give this extra

pass, to Ryan Bevington. That will make Ulster a little bit more

vulnerable on the next phase. That is crucial for the second half, that

the Ospreys make some inroads into territory and capitalise on their

chances. That second half is fast approaching and there is plenty more

sport coming your way on BBC Wales television this weekend. A beautiful

time, amazing time, I am so proud that I have been able to leave my

mark on boxing. It is looking more and more comfortable. The Cardiff

Blues get the try. Without the money that European rugby generates,

Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, the Dragons, the Scarlets, they are a

financial gumtree and they know it. Make sure you tune in for that on

Sunday. Before we move on, do you know someone who goes the extra mile

to help others take part in sport? If you would like to nominate an

unsung hero, the address is on the screen.

Nominations close on the 16th of October. As you saw in that

trailer, we will be discussing that European row rambling on over the

future of the Heineken Cup. One potential consequence of that is we

will see more players leaving Wales. A lot of players, Adam Jones,

Richard Hibbard, Alun Wyn Jones, all out of contract at the end of the

season. Another one is Jonathan Davies of the Scarlets. We caught up

with him in the week. The allure of going away from home, we have seen

it happen with other players from Wales, it is a temptation?

Potentially it is. You speak to the boys and they are enjoying

themselves and obviously, they are getting very well paid. But I think

that the end of the day, personally, you just want to win big

competitions and be competing for those things. As long as you are in

a club that is competing and winning big games, being involved in big

games, that is the most important thing for me. Huw Bennett, you went

to France to yourself, lots of reasons for going, playing a

different competitions, the better money you can earn over the channel.

What were the main factors when you make that decision? There is no

denying the fact Jonathan alluded to there. At the time I was renewing my

contract, it was one salary cap came into Wales so it was a no-brainer,

not to re-sign players and a lot of players went to England, myself went

to France. That was partly the reason. You can't get away from what

Jonathan said, there is a lot more money. Now, and is a big factor will

come into play, competitions. Our region is not being involved in the

Heineken Cup, that is another reason to go and leave Wales. On that

subject you have played in the Heineken Cup, you know how special

it can be. If it does disappear from the rugby calendar, how catastrophic

will that be? And bobbing well, it is too to say it is one of the

pinnacle competitions. These guys who play Heineken Cup next week,

they know they need to play the Heineken Cup to get selected for the

autumn internationals. If they haven't got that there, what is

going to be the stepping stone ready for the international games? Every

rugby fan is keeping his or her fingers crossed that it will be

rescued. We can only watch the space. Let's go down to the

touchline and fill it with a familiar face to Ospreys fans. Here

he is in the 2004-2005 season, he has gone back to New Zealand but is

here for a visit, Jason spice. What brings you here? We're here to

make a place to come to so I thought it was a good chance to come back

and catch up with my mates. You are playing tomorrow? Yes, playing

bridge and college at 5pm. Good luck with that. What have you made of the

Ospreys' performances since you left and went back to New Zealand? Yes, I

have kept in touch with a lot of guys here. Sean Holley set a good

platform in terms of the culture of this club. Now you have the new

brigade of Steve Tandy and co-, probably building on that. Aims are

encouraging and you can see it out there in the defence, they are

looking pretty strong. You said about their forward power. You would

have played with Alun Wyn Jones and Adam Jones and boys like that,

Richard Hibbard, when they were making their way in the game. How

nice is it to see them as being absolute stalwart is of the Ospreys

and Wales? They are superstars in their own right. The best thing

about them as they are great people. They were pretty green when I was

playing with them. They are streetsmart and world-class. That is

the sort of thing you need. Lovely to see you back in Wales. A quick

cup of coffee with some of the Ospreys laps later? Coffee will be

fine. Thank you for time. I should tell you that Dragons lead 9-0 at

Rodney Parade against Zebre. One reminder for you, we talked

about players playing outside of Wales. There has been some

speculation in the papers over the last day or two about George North

and whether he will be eligible to play for Wales in that fourth autumn

international against Australia. We understand the WRU have been told by

his representatives that it is in his contract that he will be

eligible to play in that game against Australia. The teams are on

the way back out. Last season both sides in this fixture won the away

game, Ospreys won out there and Ulster macro won here. It is a

psychological factor, they have come here to wind-macro -- they have come

here to win. It has been a battle of defence in the first half, now the

second half, if you see them slip of the tackles that is where we will

see... I am pretty sure the Ospreys are not going to want to be defeated

on the home patch. Where and when will the holes appear? The Ospreys

are back on the pitch which means we can go back to our commentary team.

It is Jonathan Davies and Gareth Charles.

Nothing at all in this one. No clear-cut chances for tries, just

two Dan Biggar penalties in the first half. Yes, the scrum will be

the same because the next infringement is a yellow card. There

could be a significant swing, an advantage, to whoever loses a

player. I do feel that two very good sides and the difference has been

two penalties by Dan Biggar. They have turned the pressure into points

and that has been the only difference. Two great kicks from two

penalties. Maybe the territory and possession just is where the

penalties have been given. Very little to choose between the teams

in the first half in terms of stats, just those two Biggar penalties.

Michael Allen has told clearly not to follow the kick.

10,000 crowd here tonight, great for the Ospreys. Was he offside there? I

am sure Dan Biggar will go for goal. Even if he wasn't as soon as the

rest shouted you have to listen. He did shout twice, we heard him from

here. The Dragons have got a try, they

lead 16-0 against Zebre, unbeaten at Rodney Parade.

As he offside? Yes, stay there, good call. I think it is the assistant

referee again. His second kick was a great kick. He is on form. This is

what you want. 63 points in the first four games before tonight for

Dan Biggar. Three from three so far this

evening. Never looks like missing. That is a silly error by the winger.

That is a schoolboy error which now puts it away. Talking about Grail

Gold -- great goal kickers, one of the best in my opinion may be the

best. Riise Patchell and Rhys Priestland,

all playing well. Very good for Wales. A great try again by the

Ospreys. Good play, very good play. A clever

kick, Nick Williams did exceptionally well to capture it.

Just fell a bit too close to the touchline. They have kept in very

quiet this evening. Must have been a ploy. When goes forward it gives the

whole side, the Ulster side, a lift, so they have taken the space away

from him. Keep the penalty and then knock it

over, 12. You are talking about discipline and that is two cheap

penalties Ulster have given away in the first three minutes of the

second half. Very cheap and if he nails this, 12 points in this game

is a big margin. Luke Marshall not happy that he

wasn't given time to roll away. He is in there with a tackle on Bishop.

It is difficult to roll away that quickly. If he is still battling for

it with his hands. Apart from the first one he has not

had an easy kick. Got it, and other clean strike straight down the

middle. It is 12 for Biggar, 12 for the Ospreys.

Suddenly in the first four minutes of the second half, the game has

been transformed. A minute before the second half time whistle went,

it has been a costly five minutes for the Ulster side. Very costly.

They would have thought they were turning around half-time in a three

point gain, five minutes into the second-half suddenly they have to

get a couple of scores and the Osprey defence and discipline has

been such that opportunities have not been so much few and far between

but pretty much nonexistent. Nothing going Ulster's way at the

beginning of the second half. Alun Wyn Jones playing with a smile

on his face. At the beginning of the second-half

this is the shepherd Broz-macro collusion -- for Luke Marshall, who

got caps against America in the summer. Comes on in midfield.

This is an important scrum because they have been warned. At halfback

partnership has been flourishing. He had big shoes to fill, didn't he,

Tebaldi? One of the reasons it has been flourishing is the strength of

this Osprey attack. A testing time for the referee, I

have to say as well. Because if it goes down, he has to make a

decision. And he has stepped over to see what is happening between Tom

Court and Adam Jones. Team-mates for a short while on the Lions tour. Tom

Court and Adam Jones. Team-mates for Court joined them in Brisbane and

that shows what cooking is not about. The ball was there in the

channel but it wasn't struck back. It has gone in, he said. Not many

complaints from Arden. He said it goes in, didn't it? It

was Ulster going forward and even though it was Tom Court who went to

ground first that forward movement enough to convince Peter Fitzgibbon

that that is the way the penalty should go. This is a big kick for

Jackson because you know you will not get many opportunities and

Biggar hasn't missed one so it puts pressure on the opposition kicker.

You know you can't afford to miss the kicks. He has got it, a good

kick. No problem at all, the first points of the evening for Paddy

Jackson and four Ulster come almost ten minutes into the second half. It

is a good response because when you play against good kickers you know

you have to be on top of your game because you can't afford to miss

them because you know they are not going to miss them.

It was maul call. Again, they have done it really well.

You could see Justin Tipuric trying to get into ground. We have seen

this with the national side, they do it so well. The back row.

That was a strike, I think. Nick Williams did well to hold that one

in. Putting it straight back down there,

that is the instruction. He was looking for space because Richard

Fussell had kicked it and he was the fullback. But again, good play from

Dan Biggar. That is a good reply. He saw Richard Fussell going ahead.

Watch this now. This is a strike, kids. That is what it is! If Brian

Moore is watching this, he will be very excited with that. Terrible

line-out ball. How can he be in an offside position

if he has not touched the ball? I'm not sure about that. I would like to

see that again. That is an interesting one. Let's see what

happens. It came off Alun Wyn Jones' back.

That has got to be accidental. That is accidental, isn't it? I am not

sure if he gave it because of that. Off his back, whatever.

Jackson again strikes it well and the Battle of the number tens is

living up to the Battle the defences. And we are back away 1's

game. Good response by Ulster. Well taken penalties. It is as you were.

Safely underneath it. Nick Williams and Alun Wyn Jones just having their

own little private battle. A bit too far, that kick. You have to be

careful you are not isolated. Good work from Tyler Ardron. Dan Biggar,

lovely bit of footwork. Same way again, I think. Rituals as --

Richard Fussell stands in at number ten. Again, great defence because it

is a great tackle against the best defender in the game, the touchline.

Just wanted to see what the matter was between Alun Wyn Jones and Nick

Williams. Here we go again. Again, there is nothing in that.

That is handbags. Quick, get on with the game, quick. There is nothing

happening, get the game on. REFEREE:

Nothing in it, mate. Play the line-out.

He couldn't take it cleanly. Richard Hibbard with some great cleaning up

work. It is a knock-on advantage for the Ospreys anyway. Alun Wyn Jones

drives on. And lays it back. Bishop juggles. And so does Ashley Beck.

That would have been an interesting one to sort out. That sleight of

hand was like Paul Daniels there. That is what the crowd have enjoyed

most so far this evening. That is a good kick as well. Unlucky. It will

be a scrum to Ulster but let's see who we can speak to on the

touchline. A 6-point game now, what are the thoughts with 25 minutes to

go? It has been a little scruffy tonight. We have not built any

sustained pressure. We want to keep the ball for longer periods in their

half. We are inviting pressure on ourselves. Confident that if you get

the territory that Dan Biggar is the man? Yes, we want to convert some of

our pressure and build our own scoreboard. Congratulations on not

having matchsticks in your eyes tonight. Your wife has given birth

to your third child. Yes, it has been a long week. Congratulations. I

have been talking to Tom Smith who had that horrific knee injury in a

week or so ago, the Ospreys flanker, he is going in for an operation on

Tuesday. He has a long period of rehabilitation that he will have to

endure. Best wishes to him. He has had some rotten luck. Good luck to

him. Yes, very much so. Good wishes, a speedy as recovery as possible

from at horrendous knee injury. A penalty again to Ulster and they can

close the gap to just one click. -- kick.

REFEREE: The scrum is starting to turn on and

off the mark before the ball comes in. Listen to me, I am watching the

scrum. Rectify that. There you are. You have got to keep them steady,

not turn in. The scrum has to be squarer and steady before the ball

comes in. And it was not. It is wheeling and moving. And as Alun Wyn

Jones said, you think that is all are doing? But mostly on that

occasion, the way that Peter Fitzgibbon saw it. Another chance

taken by Paddy Jackson. And now we are back to a one kick game. We are

approaching the final quarter. There is no getting away from them. Well,

as I said before, Mornington, -- momentum, it is a big thing in sport

and at the moment, nine points for Ulster and as the coach said, they

need a bit of time in the opposition half. Great tackle.

It works its way to Marshall. His kick was charged down. Why did he

have two kick? It was turnover ball. That was an opportunity for Ulster.

You could see the men in midfield saying, give us a chance. But that

let the Ospreys off the Hook. There is the knock-on. Why did he kick?

Especially in such heavy traffic as well. He needed a pinpoint accurate

kick to put any kind of pressure at all on the Ospreys. Let's see what

happens with the scrum. Great scrum from the Ospreys. It is

all happening here. Ryan Bevington, there are many spare going left for

the Ospreys. Tyler Ardron. Dan Biggar, straightening up. Ashley

Beck tries to come back on the angle. Jackson had followed him.

That is who they have got to target, Jackson.

The crowd of over 10,000 trying to get behind the Ospreys. Richard

Hibbard. Ashley Beck has a look. Tries to slide it through. But to

foreign field. Now then, can Ulster spot a chance to try and break out?

There is a chance on the short side. Joe Bearman comes to join in but it

has all slow down. They have to be careful here. Richard Fussell is

caught up. That is the exact spot we were talking about. It was being

guarded by Ian Evans and Joe Bearman. It was a sensible kick by

Marshall in the end. Here is a man who should know a

thing or two about goal-kicking. It is Neil Jenkins. The legend of

Wales. You have coached Dan Biggar since the age of 14. How good is it

for you to see him doing this? Outstanding. There are a lot of boys

who were in the academy when I first started and he was one of the

youngest ones. It is always a pleasure to see the young kids

coming through. He has done exceptionally well for Wales and the

Ospreys. It is always a pleasure to see them do well. What makes him

stand out as a kicker? His work ethic more than anything. It has

always been a big part of his game, his all-round game. He is excellent.

But he has had a big work ethic from a young age and that is no different

now. Anyone impressed? You are naming the squad after the second of

the Heineken cup games? We are just looking in general at the minute.

Dan Biggar and a couple of the other backs as well. But just general

tonight to see who is standing out. Thanks for your time. Always great

to hear from you. Robin McBryde is also here but I am going to leave

him alone. The importance of kicking is underlined. A loose one has given

Ulster a decent position. Mike Allen, followed every inch of

the way. More tries to drive them towards the 22. Discipline is here

now. Ulster have got the bit between their teeth at the moment. They are

only three points behind but they have scored the last nine. And they

are the ones bossing the game to a certain extent.

Trying to create a bit of space. Hallam Amos has got a second try.

The dragon is looking to preserve that 100% home record this season.

-- the Dragons. They really have picked up the pace and putting the

pressure on. Looking to work the blind side again. The pressure is

really on the Ospreys at the moment. Rory Best. Ashley Beck doggedly

hanging on. They have got to be careful here. Richard Fussell is

defending in the line now. Paddy Jackson looks for an inside ball.

Trimble is good. He is shadowing everyone, waiting for the pass. Good

defence again. But Ulster will be patient. There he is again, Trimble.

Looking for the slip past but it has gone forward. Looking for the

miracle ball. Tyler Ardron has got it. Andrew Trimble may well have

been better off hanging onto it and keeping on building the pressure.

Michael Allen will try to put the pressure straight back on. The

Ulster /to come back in support now. That is Henderson with a carry. He

is a good player, Henderson is good. Offside. Well, well, well. As we

mentioned, first half discipline was great with both sides except for the

last minute and then the first couple of minutes of the second

half. The Ospreys giving penalties away. That is the best passage of

play throughout the game by Ulster. And there is a warning, the yellow

could be crucial. The birthday boy giving that one

away. Evans coming in, he steps away,

Fussell bumps him, doesn't it? Just watch, number six. Ardron gets his

hand in there. Finds a whole. The easiest of the night from Paddy

Jackson was Ulster back level and with a quarter of an hour left to

play, not -- nothing whatsoever between the teams. To be honest I

think it deserved it, they have certainly taken the game to the

Ospreys in the second half. James King on, Sam Lewis on. And Tom

Court, who is suffering from cramp, as Paddy Jackson was taking the

kick, has been replaced by Callum Black.

Just when the Ospreys had pulled clear, Ulster stuck to their guns

and chipped away at that lead. I tell you what, powerful placement

from Ulster. You have Wilson and Henderson. They are big all -- they

are big, and they? They will play the territorial game.

Good play by Trimble. Takes it quickly as well. Black wasn't

expecting the hit from behind. Fussell will want it to go dead, and

it will. As far as the dropout is concerned.

The Ospreys have got two open side As now, but this is not the kind of

game that looks like breaking up any time soon. It has been tight

throughout. A good call by Roger Wilson. Incredible to think how he

ended up with one cap for Ireland. Ulster for a second thought they had

got the penalty. They were looking forward to a shot at goal.

He goes in. He is in there. Just watch the extra role here. He knows

he is isolated. Let's have an extra role.

Not the way it is meant to be but the Ospreys will accept the position

anyway. They need to get possession, go through the phases, keep the

ball. They haven't had much ball, the Ospreys.

He definitely looked at Richard Hibbard coming there. Hibbitt is

coming and he knocks the ball on. -- Hibbard. Far too much work to do in

the end, Mike Allen. And a game as tight as this can

hinge on little things like that. Yellow when Robert -- Ulster are

still looking at a yellow card. It could be very significant of a

yellow card comes here. Just about to go into the final ten.

That is a strike. Well done, Richard Hibbard.

I tell you what, this is the type call. Did Fussell have his hands on

the ball? I would like to see that again. Did he push it when he had

his hands on the ball, or just before? I don't think, Dan Biggar

didn't need to throw the miracle pass there. They hadn't had

possession and they throw a little miracle pass. They need to build the

phases and get their noses back in front again. It is a real tight one.

It was a real tight one. The kicker will always assume the ball is held.

Ball in hand. He had his hands on the ball, that is not a penalty.

Hands on the ball there, not a penalty. That is so harsh on David

McIlwaine. That should be an Ulster try. This is the pass, look. Try and

bring Hassler into the game, OK, but not when you haven't had possession,

you haven't had phases in the opposition half.

Ben John is on. It is good to see Alan Jarvis back to full fitness as

well, came on as a replacement against Connacht. The broken leg he

suffered last year. Now getting back in amongst it.

That was a lucky break for the Ospreys and Ulster will feel rightly

aggrieved. That is not a great kick, that is.

It is very difficult for the forwards, when they have got their

heads down in the ruck, to get out to the ten metre area. Is this

within range of Paddy Jackson? 20 years of Joe Cole psyche on Sport

Wales, Scarlets, Glasgow tomorrow night S4C, the red button commentary

and then we are back on Sunday afternoon, Blues against Edinburgh.

A round-up of all the weekend 's action, 6:45pm and in the spotlight

will be the ongoing Heineken debate. A big kick, is it within his range?

It looks good, it is their! That is a superb strike from Paddy Jackson

the first time and with only seven minutes remaining Ulster have edged

ahead at Liberty. Well, what a turnaround in the

second half. 15 unanswered points and they are showing some character,

art Ulster. That is why they fannish -- finished on top of the pile last

year even though they were beaten by Leinster in the final play-offs.

Now, Ospreys have to dig deep and fight their way back. You feel like

there is a slightly deflated... Eli Walker has had such a quiet evening.

Everyone seems a bit deflated here but it is only three... I think they

have to counter here. Double tackle comes in. They have to

be careful now not to be isolated. They are at sixes and sevens at the

moment, trying to chase the -- trying to chase the game a little

bit. There is no need to change the game. They are only three points

behind. There is no need to chase the game yet.

It is a very vocal Ulster forwards, Ospreys haven't seen enough of Eli

Walker on the charge. I just think they have chased the

game a little bit, no possession, no territory does it for you. This now

is the chance. -- this now is the chance for Ulster to really put the

boot in here. They have Rory Best, Roger Wilson, they can all calm them

down and try to run this cock down for the five and a half minutes. I

think the second half has been very, very positive from Ulster and also

the impact off the bench has been very good.

Ulster will be more than happy to see those seconds ticking away and

get them ever nearer a second consecutive victory at the Liberty.

It was a 3-point game last year, 16-13 was the score them. They have

come to kill this game off, haven't they? Fussell has to recover. He has

had an immense game. That pressure again forcing the

Ospreys to put the ball out of play. Take the time, set up the line-out,

use another minute. Get nearer the finish line.

Unbeaten so far, three wins and a draw. A draw in Leinster for the

Ospreys. What would they give now for a draw at home against Ulster? A

share of the spoils rather than a losing bonus point that they are

sitting on at the moment. And this will suit Ulster even more. Plus the

fact that there is going to be a yellow card. The Ospreys will finish

with 14 men, as Adam Jarvis is sent to the sin bin. Not rolling away.

There is Jarvis, lying on the wrong side.

Not so much pressure on Jackson this time as there was last time. But the

result is exactly the same. It is six from 64 Paddy Jackson and it

looks as though he has guided Ulster home to victory. He is my man of the

match. Dan Biggar slotted everything in the first half. He has been under

pressure. Great performances by a few of the four words. --/the and

the Ospreys Park. But it comes down to goal-kicking.

The Ospreys have just over two minutes to save this game. A

converted try will still do it. Justin Tipuric in a bit of space.

Tremendous play by the Ospreys, right at the death. The ball is out.

There were numbers on the left. It is a penalty coming and it will be

14 apiece to finish the game. Stop the clock then. Stop the clock. Now

then. It is the quick tap and go from the Ospreys. Richard Hibbard.

The crowd find their voice again. They realise this is a chance for

the Ospreys to save this one. Sam Lewis, five metres out. Patience,

patience. Alun Wyn Jones, the skipper.

There is no regular scrum-half therapy moment. Richard Hibbard with

the pick and go. Just over a minute remaining.

The ball bobbles loose. It is a knock-on. Back into the hands of

Duncan Jones, it safely goes for the Ospreys. The final minute of the

game. The final throw of the dice for the Ospreys, as Justin Tipuric

takes it on. Right up to the try line. What a finish. It has been a

titanic struggle for both sides. It has. The ball is there. They have

got to go again. Knock-on. They have lost it, have they? Yes, they have

lost it. It looks as if Ulster may have just about crept home.

Bodies live in -- bodies lying all over the place. The bloodied face of

Richard Hibbard. I felt that they lost direction

really. They had to give him direction.

Ulster will now though that one steady scrum and one clearance kick

should see them home. 17 seconds remaining. But the Ospreys know they

have one more effort to give it everything, as they just tried.

Good work at the breakdown by Ulster.

Adam Jones has to come back on because Jarvis has been sin binned.

Ben John makes way. That was timely. They know they have still have

forwards out there to battle and contest this scrum. This is it. Time

comes back on. 17 seconds counts down.

This is a quick strike, they have had a goods gram. -- they have had a

good scrum. Ulster know that as soon as they have borne out, they can put

it dead behind the goal line because the 80 minutes are up. This is a big

scrum. Big, big scrum, this. One more phase

of play. Can the Ospreys squeeze something out of it? Will they go

for the strike? Here comes the drive from the Ospreys. What a scrum to

finish on. Ulster have not cleared it yet. And off-site given anyway.

-- an offside given anyway. And after a huge, huge struggle, Ulster

have done the job. Just put it over the dead ball line.

What a turnaround. Yes, disappointing. That will do for

Ulster for the second year, they have come to the Liberty Stadium and

eaten the Ospreys. The Ospreys' unbeaten record has gone. Was he

offside? Well, the referee was there. Right at the very end, the

offside call was given but it did did not really matter. A turnaround

from Ulster. It is the Ulstermen celebrating at the Liberty Stadium.

The Ospreys have lost their unbeaten record and the game.

It was a game of watertight defences and impeccable kickers. Dan Biggar

the man with the advantage in the first half, kicking the home side

into a half-time lead. Paddy Jackson imperious with the boot. One Munster

penalty. That was one of six successful kicks, ultimately giving

Ulster the lead. Equal in terms of forays into the

opposition 22. Pretty equal in terms of penalties and free kicks

conceded. Indiscipline creaking in in that second half. Let's see how

that makes the table up this evening. The Ospreys have gone top

courtesy of the losing bonus point but of course, we have a round of

fixtures to come tomorrow. Glasgow still in second. Ulster into the

play-off spots for the first time this season. Another was region in

action tonight, the Dragons faced Zebre at Rodney Parade. That game is

still going on. There is roughly five or ten minutes to go. The

Dragons are leading by 37 points. Three tries so far. One more would

give them a bonus point. Hallam Amos was recalled to the side. He has

scored two tries. The Dragons are unbeaten at home this season under

the new regime of Lyn Jones and Kingsley Jones. It was a strangely

compelling game. Both kickers on top of their game. Ulster the deserved

winners in the end? Yes, it was a game defences and it did not

change. It was the story of the boot. It was a shame that the

Ospreys could not get the territory and possession. A very dramatic

finish. The Ospreys could have snatched it at the end. It was a

contentious decision with regard to that offside. We will have a look at

it again. At the end of the day, it had gone over 80 minutes. The guy

was going to do that anyway. Maybe a little bit of frustration. The 80

minutes had gone. There was nothing else they could do really. We can go

to Sean Holley in the analysis truck. The Ospreys were playing at

home and they had home advantage. Was it a lack of composure that cost

them in the end? Yes, they have won the last ten games at the Liberty

Stadium and it is a real downer going into Europe next week. They

lost their composure towards the end of that second half. It stemmed from

field position. They did not need to do anything extravagant. You can see

Ulster have marked them up. The ball was on for the space for Ashley

Beck. This resulted in the turnover and the field position, ironically,

there was a penalty and they kicked to touch. But that it is not good

enough. The law states that you have to retreat. Justin Tipuric,

intelligent player, moves back but Joe Perman and Cole do not. That was

a kickable penalty and the defining moment. -- Joe Bearman. Just right

at the death, the lack of building phases and composure. Richard

Hibbard, a stall what throughout the game, unfortunately, you can see the

delight for the Ulster players. Were you surprised at that lack of

composure? We have seen the Ospreys clinical this season, scoring tries

for fun. None tonight. Yes, both teams. They know how to score tries.

They could not get into the game in the first half because of an element

of frustration with the defence. In the second half, they were pushing

things. Frustration could be a big factor. Can you give an excuse, it

was slippery? No you can't. They should not be making those mistakes.

It is not the best way to go into next week in Europe but I am sure

that Alun Wyn Jones will be saying the right things. Ulster, Fairplay,

true to form, away from home, they have won again, the same as last

year. You were looking intently at some of those scrums tonight. No

side dominating. The new laws, I know you have been studying them,

have improved things this season? Well, if you look at the game

tonight, you would have to say no. If you look at the statistics from

the start of the season, including the friendlies, up until the first

game, the statistics show, great, collapsed scrums, dropped

significantly but it is slowly starting to come back to where it

was last year. There are a number of factors, of course. One being that

they are new laws and the players are still sussing them out. But also

they are doing now, three games in, they are working out how to bend the

rules, what their strengths are, using the that way. Another would be

the referees' interpretation. It has a real big hindrance when they play

the next game. Being really diligent on the angle that the ball comes in,

the timing. We could talk about these scrums all night but we have

run out of time. Don't forget, on Sunday, the Cardiff Blues against

Edinburgh. Sport Wales is up next. We will be looking back at joke as

are the 's career.