Blues v Connacht Scrum V Live Pro 12

The festive season is upon us and how the blues could do with a little

festive cheer tonight? They are on their worst run in the league after

losing seven in a row. Their opponents by way of contrast from

their best ever run. Connacht have won six consecutive games in a row

and it is a sequence that has taken them to the top.

Yes, they have shaken this and defied expectations and reputations

after eight rounds. A burst of victory here was very professional.

-- first victory. That table mates very pretty reading for rugby fans

from the West of Ireland. Played eight, winning seven and scoring

more points and tries than any other team in the league. The Blues are

bizarrely second in the try scoring chance but in the league itself,

well down in 10th position, winning just once, the opening-day victory

against zebra. Let's gauge the mood from the Head Coach, Danny Wilson,

he has been speaking with Phil Steele. I am sure you do not need

reminding that it has been seven defeats on the trot. How important

is winning tonight to get the monkey off your back? We are improving and

hopefully it will lead to what is a very important when. What will you

expect given it is a first time we have seen Danny Wilson, what can

weeks back to sea from a Danny Wilson team on Scrum V Live? It is

only the third home league game of the season. We are trying to improve

the foundations of the game. Defensively, a in step the right

direction and we need to keep it going this week. -- a step in the

right direction. Hopefully we can play attacking rugby like we have

shown the points we have scored season. All the best. Thank you.

Welcome to Scrum V Live. A man never has to buy a pint, is at the right.

Good to have you on board. We have heard from Wilson, the six coach

they have had. Pat Lam is the third in 12 seasons for Connacht. Is it

that continuity which has allowed them to climb the table? Cohesion is

very important. Any new coach coming in to a new environment, the first

year he gets a team, second day he will make some changes. By the third

year it is becoming his team. Pat has recruited particularly well. I

want to talk to you about one of the Blues signings. A quiet start to his

career but he is coming into his own, coming in at number eight. It

shows how important out and out number eights are. He can provide a

go forward. He will dominate collisions. He will provide front

foot, going forward with the ball. As we can see from this footage, he

is an aggressive and no-nonsense ball carrier. Certainly. The sort of

player you would not want to run into either! Like your good self in

your time, now, Sean is back in the announcers truck after a little

break. He has been on an epic trek through Patagonia, losing some

weight in the process but probably gaining wisdom as well. My knees are

a bit sore. Connacht, top of the league and what a story so far. They

have been growing for a while and fancy their chances. A lot of good

young players and they did not miss many in the Rugby World Cup. Eight

games, five at home. They have some exciting players. Dangerous around

the field. One guy to look out for is a try scorer from last week, and

that is Aki. He is one to watch. He has defeated more defenders this

year than anyone else. He knows where the line is. This was a

crucial try at the end of last week's game against Munster. They

have players like this across the park and real confidence at the

moment. Watch them attacking the channel tonight. One guy I will look

out for tonight from home team is Alex Cuthbert. He is in the doldrums

at the moment with nothing going right for him. I feel he is trying a

little bit too hard. Not like Shane Williams who can get himself out of

trouble. Getting the ball and letting the rest. Scoring from a

distance, really quick, big and strong and I wonder, if he does his

nuts and bolts, does the basics, could it be the night for him? We

have so. A lot of attention on the returning Alex Cuthbert. A lot of

attention on the return of Rhys Patchell. Recover from concussion

and playing at 15. We understand he is not happy and will probably leave

at the end of the season. What can we read into this selection? I can

understand him being unhappy. He sees himself as a number ten. He has

been followed by 15 with the arrival of Gareth Anscombe. That has annoyed

him. He might want to go somewhere else. I know clubs will be

interested. He is a very good player and one that I would have thought

would be for the future of the Blues. Thanks very much. Here we

go. Two teams with very contrasting fortunes of this season. Can Blues

stop the rot and inflict a first defeat on Connacht? Let's join the

commentary team. COMMENTATOR Gethin Jenkins leading

out the Blues. And awaiting John Muldoon, the first man to reach 200

games in the pro 12, captain of what has been a very successful Connacht

team this afternoon. This season, rather. Seven wins out of their

first eight as we heard. They know what they are playing into and

behind the wind is all what it is about in Galway. Not quite the

strength that they had in the back down there. Eight changes and one

position change from last week. Loftily, back in form and fitness.

Back in the second row... And as far as the back division goes,

O'Halloran moves back to full-back. And the potent centre force... Ethan

Lewis gets just a second start as hooker. Lou Reed is back, and Josh

Turnbull, ever present, another seven in the absence of Warburton.

Jared Evans, the 19-year-old, he gets another start at ten. Rhys

Patchell back at full-back. Alex Cuthbert as we have heard is looking

to find his form again on the wing. And this is the man in charge this

evening, Andrew Brace. And high-flying Connacht will try to

keep their record going and the Blues are looking to get away from

the foot of the table. It is 7-1, Connacht. 1-7, the Blues.

Williams. Just waiting up ahead of him. He has got to go one right up.

It is left foot. Too tight on the line. Now he goes. Back in good

form, Lloyd Williams. He is. O'Halloran, moving from the wing to

the full-back perceiving. Cartier. In a couple of minds. Jarrod Evans

looking to set up the counter for the Blues.

First penalty of the evening going to the home side. It is a kind of an

unusual feeling. You come to watch Connacht playing, it should be a

banker, they should win games against Connacht.

banker, they should win games changed. They are flying high, near

the top of the league and playing with a lot of confidence. They

cannot kick loosely denied because one thing they do, they run with the

ball very well. -- tonight. Talking bout the confidence in the Connacht

site is one thing. It is not there with the ten one aggro. Yes, it has

been a difficult start for the ten one macro. -- with the Blues. --

with the Blues. They need a win this evening by anyway. They need to get

some confidence. -- by any possible way. Far too close to the touchline.

Smuggling it away and keeping it alive. They have gone out of the

front of the line a lot, but it is the easiest we have seen, uses place

to defend a line-out. They need to be a bit smarter than that against

Connacht. Downey supplies the ball. Bundee Aki has been a good signing.

Good, aggressive defence from the Blues. Led by Josh Turnbull. One

thing Connacht have got, a couple of pictures behind it, ten or 12. Rhys

Patchell. Hanging up in the air. Well taken, though. The wind is

blowing from the River tap into the faces of the Blues in the first

half. Cuthbert. Straight out to Jarrod Evans. James. Tackle, that is

fine! Lloyd Williams. Plenty of forward

outside Evans. Rhys Patchell. Good hands from Gavin Evans. Striding

down the far touchline. Open play. Maybe a slow start but the last

couple of games he has been more and more prominent. He kept his wit

well. Good hands by Gavin Evans. Good defence, actually I be 15. They

will have -- by the 15. Turnbull. They go to the tail,

having learned their lesson from the first line-out. Good driving. Cook

is still hanging onto it. Taufa'ao Filise. Vosawai is the next to pick

and go. Nothing too fancy. But it has been very effective to get into

that 22. Cuthbert is in from the blindside wing. Ronaldson with the

tackle. Evans and Rhys Patchell. James back on the angle. Connelly

just about stopped him. Very much on the front foot. Lewis avoiding

Hoeata. A very good build-up. Very positive start by the Blues. Running

with the ball very well. You have got to take it against the wind

commutator points, I would. I do not think they are. -- take the points,

I would. A little link for the corner.

Lovely run by James inside. Ball coming out again. Bringing the ball

to the floor. He gets on the floor and takes it against Muldoon.

Line-out is secured. Looking to get the drive on. Grabbing slightly. But

he is in a great position to spin from it. As he got a bit of a

whitewash? Yes, he has. Very well work. Created the angle. And he was

strong enough to just get there. Just enough. Very brave call

considering running on the back of these defeats. And the next thing,

they took it down and it was well executed, well work. A very good try

for the Blues. The only thing is an injury I think for Gethin Jenkins.

He has stayed down, he has not really moved. I think he has taken a

blow to the head. They learn from their early mistake, going to the

front. One had the middle. Something under Danny Wilson, the set piece,

the scrum has gone really well, the line-out. The driving line-out has

been a weapon where they have backed themselves. If you back yourself you

have got to get over the line and they have done. He has got his feet

moving. A clash of heads, it was. Spinning his way but he had a lot of

work to do to get that ball down. Finished extremely well with the

Fiji born Italian number eight. It is important that they turn the

pressure into points. Vitally important.

Points added by Rhys Patchell. Phil Steele. Yes, a difficult win to

predict down here at pitch side. A bit swelling. If anything, let to

write. It should aid Connacht. A little bit of trivia about the

referee, he is down as an Irish man and he is from the Irish union but

he is from Cardiff and a product of Fitz Alan School and he went over to

work in Munster, met an Irish girl and the rest is history but he is a

Cardiff boy. Cardiff boys stick together, don't they? Ball back in!

Taken by Leader. Ronaldson. Trying to hold him up. He has done well

there to get him to ground. Ronaldson is really battling to give

his side the scrum. They called the ball to early for me. You have got

to give the carrier a chance to get to the ground. Yes, still moving,

still wriggling. It is good, strong work. But eventually he does get

there. Jonathan. Yes, watch, just an

opportunity for the Blues. Just watch. All of these numbers here.

What they have got to do is hold that one player. Unfortunately the

two in front go dummy runners. They are going across the field. Instead

of being a dummy run, put it through your hands and hold that third

defender, who is a forward and get the three on two. You have got to

assess that while you are on the field. They are calling the block

way before that. If the numbers are on, check, go back, Paul Jewell run

and your hands. -- hold your run. He has gone off for a head injury

assessment. And the 20-year-old from Dublin comes on to make his debut in

the pro 12. No, I am not happy with that. We need space as I discussed

inside. Is the hold that balance. -- space. Hold that balance. Rhys

Patchell still in the full-back position. If it is coming out, I

would like to see him stand somewhere else, not in the gap he is

going to be running into. That is very encouraging for the

Blues. Solid, solid scrum. He gets over the gain line, Vosawai.

Macauley Cook does the same. And more. Lee-Lo. Nice passing. Very

quick recycling of the ball. Jarrod Evans is too near Darragh Leader.

Gethin Jenkins in midfield. And that prop in midfield. Just having a rest

from the last rock and he is running for the ball. Winning it back.

Straight through his hands. Pressure from O'Halloran. That pressure tells

and forces him over the try line. That might have been asked not to

but he had to give away the five metre scrum and stop I do not really

understand why you are looking for a prop forward in midfield, running in

support but not on that occasion. Unfortunately for Rhys Patchell,

missing the ball and it was a very good chase. Closing him down.

Turning the attacking opportunity into a very defensive one, the

Blues. You were talking about confidence early on. I am not sure

how high his confidence is at the moment, Rhys Patchell. They are a

bit low on confidence. But you have got to play through it. This is your

job. Get on with it. Play your way through it. Everybody goes through

that in their career. Good attacking position for

Connacht. Darragh Leader straight from the blindside wing. Ball

recycled quickly. Just held on the line today. Got numbers now.

Bouncing back to Bundee Aki. The water. -- Porter.

I thought he could have had a go himself. He was in. Into that fifth

phase. He was in. He battles on. Carty. Bundee Aki. The defence

stands firm. A little bit of a gap. Matt Healy on the far wing. Popping

it back. Porter squeezes in the corner. Missing the easy opportunity

but he was there in the end and the pressure told and Ian Porter got the

try for Connacht. Unfortunately they have put themselves in that position

with loose passing. And they have paid the price for it. Again, that

is a lovely slip pass. They are all coming across. That is a lovely,

lovely off-loads. Going down. Simple passing. It is the running on it

which is killing the Blues. Lovely pass from the floor. Maybe a little

bit of a block but that is a good finish. They kept their patients

well. They had an opportunity earlier and did not take it. Kept

their shape. Good defence initially. They will score tries. They are the

top scorers in the league and they are threatening with the ball. That

is one area where they really have struggled, in defence. Conceding so

many points. Really positive first ten, 12 minutes from the Blues. His

first try is followed by a rattle of the posts from the touchline. This

is the one that kills them again. Just running on. Stop it here. That

is where the tackle is made. Wrapping him up. And running on, he

has popped it out and they are at sixes and sevens. Loose passing. And

he goes in. If you go in two on one to kill the ball, you have to

closing down. -- be closing down. Mistakes compounded by the Blues.

Still marginally ahead. Next to the conversion of Rhys Patchell. A

little mistake again. Just letting them into Michelle. Cardiff lose

were totally in control. Totally in control for the first ten minutes.

-- Cardiff. A bit of a loose pass. Craig Ronaldson is going to be

staying off. He will have a longer debut than he envisaged at the start

of the evening, Peter Roberts. That is sensible from Connacht. Got back

in the game. Stayed down and took the pressure away. It always comes

from them stakes. On the front foot. Jarrod Evans should have kept it to

hand and Rhys Patchell is looking for Gethin Jenkins midfield.

Compounding the errors upon errors. With such a good start that they had

they are looking to build. Another mistake. Not a straight line out.

Captain. Captain. What they have got to try and do here, they have got to

try and nullify those mistakes. The little errors that make such a

difference. It kills momentum. They are all on the attack. They have

created their own demise by simple errors and putting themselves under

pressure. Always nice to see scrums. Nobody

has gone down yet. Just lost it. A half break was made again. Bundee

Aki was ready and waiting. Just holding on a little bit longer. He

is a big boy, isn't he? Straight at young Jarrod Evans. Dummy runners

holding the players outside. Isolated one on one. Running over

the top of him. Just by using dummy runners. Keeping defenders away from

the carrier. Keep it up, boys. Another one where

it takes its time coming out. But at least it is still up. That is a very

good effort. It is very good, seeing which way the wind is going and who

it has favoured. It was certainly held up in the wind. That is a

lovely kick. A great strike and distance.

Going back to but, yes, he is in the doldrums. But I think he is a very

powerful runner. You have got to try and create something in midfield and

using has a carrier, or a dummy runner. He needs a bit of a break to

get his confidence back. Not a natural rugby player but a natural

finisher and that is what you want from a winger.

O'Halloran. Forwards out in midfield now. That is where most of the backs

are. Getting the ball. I like the way they are playing, Connacht.

Putting the wit on it. The forwards are not scared to carry the ball.

Advantage. Advantage for the Blues if they can use it. No, they can't.

If you are putting that on it, it isolates the front players forward.

And they have got to defend. Yes, chapter of errors.

The other games being played this weekend... Leinster, tomorrow

afternoon. And then Dragons and Munster. Sam Warburton. Injured last

week. And still sporting a moon boot tonight. I think they are lucky, the

one area where they have got strength in depth is with flankers.

Macauley Cook, Josh Turnbull, moving to seven. He has been outstanding.

Jenkins and Scott out injured as well. A lot of strength in the back

row for Cardiff. John Muldoon. 200 games in the league. That is some

record. 33 last Monday. He has been a great servant in his

13th year in the team from the West of Ireland.

Tom James looking for a chance to get that going. Again, giving them a

target. A willing ball-carrier. That comes from a very solid tackle.

Bundee Aki, dangerous in attack. Short and squat and very difficult

to move if he gets over the ball early. I think there may have been a

Connacht player lying and not rolling away. It was good play from

Bundee Aki. A good kick as well. That is a strong tackle. It could

have been easily a penalty for the Blues. We saw a very effective

line-out from the Blues from the far end. What have come out -- Connacht

got to offer? Going at a fair rate of knots towards the try line. Eoin

McKeon can hardly believe his luck. They will be disappointed. It was

all too easy. They have sheared off on a slight angle. Just gone off the

injured. Very smart from Connacht. Very poor defence from the Blues.

Lou Reed has got himself too high. As we see, once you get that rolling

wall with real momentum, it is virtually impossible to stop,

particularly five metres out. From the far left of the post. Hit

the post with his first effort. Does the same with his second. Running

on, running on. Stop it there. Just watch. Look at all of those. They

have just missed them all. Running on. There is no way that two or

three people cannot stop that drives. -- there is no way that two

or three people can stop that drive. Good pressure by Jarrod Evans on

Bundee Aki. You know you have got to put pressure on them. Great spot. As

we know, if we are going to play football, scoring a lot of tries at

the moment. I think you are going to play football, scoring a lot of

tries at the moment. I think defending is an attitude of mind.

Communication and attitude of mind. Gary Neville

-- Garan Evans has won an excellent position. -- Gavin Evans. Lee-Lo and

Cuthbert are to the right. On Sidey scrum. They went for the corner last

time and scored. What are they going to do this time? They have to take

the three. Their confidence will have taken the hit for the last ten

minutes. They just need to get back on level terms. It is a penalty. A

poor scrum by Connacht. Folding. It is the same as last week with the

Ospreys and the kicking game. They controlled where the game was

played. It was a great effort by the Blues but that is where the game was

won. I felt that the back three should have worked out where he was

putting it to stop that kicking game. The defence isn't great. There

will be opportunities to score. Patchell succeeds in bringing the

Blues back on level terms. 10-10. Quarter of an hour of the first half

remaining. Set pieces have been productive this evening. From a

Blues point of view, it is something that has gone well. Something they

have improved on this year. That game management, like Jonathan

mentioned. The defence. Key areas. They have been against the wind in

this first half. Conceded a penalty straightaway. It has been the

Achilles heel for the Blues. I think it was James Connolly again. He has

got over the ball. The Blues haven't been able to move in. I think that

is Graham Steadman. He used to play full-back but

is Graham Steadman. He used to play back. Great Britain rugby league

player. When I went up north, they were calling me everything. Now they

are everywhere. He is a very good coach and a great bloke. There's no

money left up there because you were up there. They are have all got to

come down here. That is the one inside the post that Ian Porter

wanted. Immediately, Connacht are ahead. Nothing in this game. It is

there to be won by the Blues. They have to pick up the intensity.

Immediately after this, the other Jonathan Davies on his immediate

return from Clermont. And you can listen to the scrum V podcast,

featuring Jamie Roberts. Tom James is in midfield a lot tonight. Not

sure who the dummy run was. Williams opting for the kick. Leader, plenty

of time. O'Halloran looking for someone to up with. William Pooley

done. He's called for the high tackle here. I don't think it is

high. I'd like to see this again. You know what to expect from

Connacht. Good play from O'Halloran. He held on. Which one? That's not a

high tackle. He is going down. I don't care. The guy is going down.

It is not a swinging arm. Macauley Cook almost pinched it. Rodney Ah

You. Inside ball to Bundee Aki. Lost it. Recovered by Turnbull. I think

it should be a knock-on and scrum to the Blues. Taking advantage. Porter

fires it out to O'Halloran. Ounces of Lee-Lo. There is a great spirit

in this, not state -- in this Connacht team. Defensive line speed

for the Blues. Keeping the ball in hand. Everyone, forwards backs, they

are looking to keep the ball in hand. There is a big gap. McKeown,

Parata. That is Healy coming off the wing. Tricky customer but he has

lost the ball at a crucial point. The Blues will get a chance to

clear. Connacht are looking very threatening. A lot of pace to their

play. Let's see what the Blues coach makes of it. Danny, what are the

pluses and minuses so far? When we find field position and stayed there

we have attacked quite well but we have compound in too many errors

that have led to poor breakdowns and penalties and alternate viewpoints.

We cannot be on these defensive sets. -- and alternately points.

Ultimately, we have other things to worry about but penalties are a

weapon to keep working on. Lloyd Williams looking for a couple of

quick passes. The ball has been slowed down. Patchell was out there.

That came from much better line speed from the Blues. Gavin Evans

and Lee-Lo up very quickly putting the back line under pressure. It has

forced the turnover. The Blues are so much better when they have got an

aggressive line speed rather than a passive one and they drift. They've

just got to be careful. It's very good pressure and they forced the

error. You can't just go up on your own. The guy that sprints out of the

line is in big trouble. Again, the defensive line breaks up. You have

got to communicate. Was it the last tackle? Three greener on eight blue.

Another another late tackle. That one from Rodney Ah You. You need to

show it. E. There's nothing in that. He may have made contact with the

shoulder but the arms are going for the wraparound. Just get on with it.

We are just wasting time now. It's going to be a penalty for a high

tackle. It's clearly a high tackle by three greener. We are going for

the penalty. More discipline. The wind must be against the Blues if

Patchell is going for touch. A very good kick. But will do nicely. As

Danny Wilson said, build the pressure, go through the phases.

Again, it was the front ball. Driving towards the touchline. They

go to ground. Is there anyone in that rock? One Connacht player, I

think. Rodney Ah You comes flying at Lou Reed. Macauley Cook. Lloyd

Williams has a go. The tackle by Heffernan. Jarrod Evans manages to

pick up the scraps to keep possession for the Blues. I think

they have got to hit up the rock. Too easy in the end. He looks a good

player, O'Halloran. Elusive. He never looks to kick. They are

expecting big things of him in Ireland. Porter, a lovely game,

controlling everything. The tempo. See if he kicks now? I O'Halloran,

no. Going the long way round. Nobody in reach to make it obstruction.

Healy with good pace, looks for support. Just hangs on. Support has

arrived through Quinn Roux. Within five metres. A penalty coming their

way. When they pick up the pace, again, they look dangerous. Again,

it is a 1 and one tackle in defensive structure. I need to

strong word in about this discipline. I had a word and it is

the same for you. Every time there is a line break, there is a penalty

in that red zone. Discipline. It was the missed one on one. It was really

lazy, slow defence by the Blues. Poor tackle again. One-on-one. You

have got to make those tackle. Taken by Quinn Roux. Dropped. Pat Lam will

be disappointed with that. After how easily they scored one of their

tries. A big error, just before half-time as well. I think the Blues

will be very happy if they can get into half-time just three points

behind. I think Lou Reed did really well there. Even then, the ball came

before they went down. Still problems in the scrum. Bundee Aki is

good over the ball. He is very difficult to move. Just watch Lou

Reed. Number five. Gets his arm in there. Here he goes. One hand, ball

goes down. Good spoiling. Couldn't take him in the air. Quinn Roux.

This time the ball shifted away quickly. Healy slips the first

tackle. I O'Halloran was waiting. Danger not gone away for the Blues.

Rodney Ah You shrugs away the tackler. Gethin Jenkins. Straight

down the middle. Porter is being here. He is limping. Somebody is

going to have to play scrum-half because he is limping at each

breakdown. Heffernan. Still the pressure continues. The Blues need

to keep them out before half-time. Keep opted up to Leader. It was all

a bit static. -- Aki popped it up to Leader. The Blues have won

themselves a bit of respite. They'll get a chance to clear now. It has

been knocked on. An injury, I think. Quinn Roux fell awkwardly. There is

the knock-on. Watch how he goes down. Just twisted his ankle. I'm

not a big fan of this pitch. Commercially, it's brilliant. But I

wouldn't want to play on this pitch. With injuries. Is that a factor with

players not coming to the Blues? They don't want to play on the

pitch. It is the way the ball lands and sticks from kicks. You don't get

a true run of the ball. Ideally, you would have the sort of pitch with a

bit of 50-50. It is a massive difference. Long-term, I wouldn't

want to play 10-15 years of professional rugby on this. It is

not the same. Does his foot get caught? Whatever the cause, Quinn

Roux is going to leave. Tries have come in the first half. Early on for

the Blues. Since then, Connacht have struck back well. Porter was there,

right place, right time. And such an easy drive over for McEwan for their

third. A long starfish. -- stoppage. He has only just come back

as well. Quinn Roux is replaced. Let's hope it's not a bad injury. It

looked very innocuous but he is struggling a bit. Forced day off

tomorrow. Looking forward to that. Let's hope the best for Quinn Roux.

Let's hope that is just precautionary. His second year with

Connacht. He had a couple of years with Leinster as well. He looks in a

deal of pain. Sympathetic applause from the Arms Park crowd. He is a

big lump. George Naoupu will bring mobility around the park but he is

more of a back row player than a second row. Final minute of the

first half. First half started so brightly for the Blues but it's fair

to say that Connacht have had the better of it ever since. It is all

about not conceding any more points now. 30 seconds to go. Halloran

calls early and takes well. He is a very confident player. Rodney Ah

You. Still they keep the ball in hand. Halloran eventually. Puts in

the boot. There is a gap there. Evans links up with Rhys Patchell.

Lewis is the link to Ray Lee-Lo. Final move of the first half. The

Blues back in opponents territory. Evans. Good thinking by Bundee Aki.

The tackle was over them. He wasn't talking about that tackle, he was

talking about the previous tackle. Lee-Lo slips the tackle. Into the 22

they go. Can they finish it? On the right, there's numbers there. But it

is dropped by Ethan Lewis and the chances gone. That is that as far as

the first half is gone. Bright start, disappointing end for the

Blues. 20 of work to do in the second half although there is little

to choose between them. Just the one kick. Two tries to one and a 13-10

lead for Connacht. Jonathan, how did that feel to you? Did you get

enough? How important was it that you didn't concede? That was

important. Two teams with contrasting fortunes coming into

this. The Blues in 10th, Connacht topping the table. The Blues started

brightly. Manoa Vosawai crossing for the first try. An immediate response

for the visitors. Then a mix-up at the line-out defence. A convincing

rolling maul from Connacht to see them over the line. A second strike

gives them a lead of 13-10. Both teams had their chance in attack but

Connacht just it is -- leading on the ledger. Deserving of that

half-time lead? There's not much in it. Connacht have looked dangerous

from the Blues kicking game. They haven't put them under any pressure

indeed. We haven't seen a winner get up and compete for a high ball.

Manoa Vosawai, a man pinpointed as the Blues danger man scored the

opening try and it looked good for the Blues at that stage. Danny

Wilson prides himself on the set piece and they have scored one and

conceded one. This was good, they took the gamble and went for the

penalty. They invest time in trying to strip away Lou Reed. They open it

up for Rodney Ah You to spoil it. The Blues realised that the space is

on the openside. They invest all their energy in going around that

openside for Vosawai to go over for the score. A great score to start

for the Blues. Danny Wilson, a man who prides himself on the work at

the set piece. You were impressed by the individual work of Manoa

Vosawai. Such a strong ball-carrier. He is going to provide that going

forward for the Blues. He controls the speed going back. It allows your

backs to have more time on the ball. More space between the opposition.

With a man like that around the pitch in keeps the defence honest.

Certainly does. It also inspires the players around you. If you are

beating tackles and going forward, it lets the whole team. We mentioned

at the top of the half, the Blues kicking game letting them down. We

mentioned some callousness in that department. They have got good field

position is and let themselves down. We have got a high ball and nobody

competing against it. We have got a kick off here. You do not want to

make mistakes on the back of mistakes. Here is another kick going

long. Taking it on the full at the halfway and they have got time to

play with the ball. With the wind behind the company Mac in the second

half it should help get a bit more length and put Conor under some

pressure. -- Blues. We will see if that will affect things in a second.

Sean, this is the Ian Porter try. He played well in this half. We

highlighted the runaround. He has been really active in the first

half, as has Matt Healy. Porter to his credit on a good scrum-half line

finishing really well. It has cost him a little bit with loose

off-loading. In the end, as all season, they are rewarded by scoring

tries and here's another one. Alex Cuthbert made his tackle on this

occasion and you have watched him closely on his return and you think

Connacht are targeting him. He has looked hungry. He has chased well

and looked to get involved. Coming in from the line and making tackles.

Connor is going to the midfield and attacking back his wing. We will

keep eyes on that as well. We saw that try in the highlights. It was a

Blues Linux defence letting them down and they were not on the bus.

-- line-out defence. They put everything into it. Off-loading to

the number eight who eventually scored. Rodney Ah You coming in and

shoring up the gap. All of the ten coming out. Shifting to this side.

They know what they are doing. It is too late for them now. Too many

players going for the wrong man who had the ball. It is an easy try in

the end. It is clever and difficult to defend. They put all their eggs

in one basket defending this but it was not smart enough at that time.

Finely balanced at half-time. 13-10 and anybody's game. Christmas is

fast approaching and the award season is underway. The great and

the good of Welsh sport on Monday night will gather in Cardiff for the

annual Welsh sport awards. That is on Monday night, on BBC Two

coming up is sport Wales and Jonathan Davies talks about his

return to the scarlets and also about tattooed and brotherly love.

I think it looks quite cool. I do not think it goes with the baby

face. Yes. I do not think it is need to be honest. A quick message to

your brother. Thanks for getting those knuckles done. I will always

be number one son. Thank you. STUDIO: If you missed that last

night, I will just remind you, that is on at nine o'clock on BBC Two.

The pod cast is available for downloading now. If you missed it on

Thursday evening. And then on Sunday... Palatino is back. Jonathan

and Martyn Williams are in the studio on Sunday. Jamie Roberts

tells us how he is just one of the boys at Cambridge University. It was

tough for the captain to league colleagues and friends. -- leave. It

must be hard barking orders to a double British and Irish line and

grand slam winner. It is fine. I like being shouted at when I make

mistakes. If anything it encourages you not to do it again. Humble as

ever. Watch that on Sunday and find out how Jamie is enjoying life at

game at university and take my word for it, he is really enjoying life

at Cambridge. Dan Biggar has re-signed his contract meaning he is

staying in Wales, there was so much speculation about his future in the

last few weeks and he is sticking around. Good news for the league and

Welsh rugby. We can get the view from the boys in the commentary box.

We have been sat on the couch discussing this for weeks. What is

your reaction? It is obviously fabulous for Welsh rugby and for the

Ospreys. Not only has he committed himself to Wales in the next four

years, it helps the Ospreys with recruitment for the next couple of

seasons if potential players are looking to come to the club. If they

can see Dan Biggar will be there for the next three, four seasons, that

helps as well. Jonathan is coming back next year. Leigh Halfpenny's

future, hopefully he comes back. The tide seems to have turned a little

bit. Jonathan? Yes, similar. High profile player after the World Cup,

a very successful World Cup. And the rest of the boys will hopefully

follow. The boys that have been away with Wales will hopefully want to

come back. It is all good for Wales and the regions. For Dan and the

Ospreys. The other big news, Dan Biggar, his former halfback partner,

Mike Phillips, you know him very well indeed, he pronounced --

announced his retirement for Welsh rugby after 94 matches. What is your

opinion on that? It is sad to see Mike retired. He has been there for

four years winning grand slams and championships. He had been as

important as any player. Great guy to play with. Whether you played

against, he would leave nothing on the field. Total commitment, total

Warrior and he will go down as one of the best scrum halves we have

ever had. It is not easy looking to the future but it is in strong hands

and we have got strength in depth. I think it is a good time to finish

for him. He was there for the World Cup and they played exceptionally

well. He has come back to full fitness as well, his opposite man.

Your sentiment echoed I am sure by all the Welsh fans watching tonight.

Phil has been talking to the new managing director of the pro 12.

Thank you very much. Martin, you are not only the main man for the pro 12

managing director but you are a rugby man and a former Welsh player.

As a top man of the league and a rugby man what is your vision for

the pro 12? I think we are doing a lot of good things. The leaders a

tough time in the last few years. We have got some amazing teams in this

competition. I am trying to harness that and tell the story that it is a

top, elite level of competition with the best teams in Europe will stop

we are playing week in and week out. --. We are playing week in and

week out. This is the highest concentration of international

players in any league in the world. My job is to tell that story. Dan

Biggar has committed himself to the Ospreys and Wales and the pro 12.

How important is that? It is really big for us. We want the best players

in the world playing. That means unions working closely with the

regions and clubs in the pro 12, beginners pro 12, to make sure they

understand they can play at the top level with us. Good luck with the

job I know it is a big job for you. Thanks very much. Ross, back to you.

Well, before we go back, the teams are on the pitch but I will ask you,

Xavier, for your opinion on Mike Phillips. The right time to retire?

I think he made a bit of a habit out of retiring, the man we were looking

at. He has made a fabulous career. We can see two, three good

youngsters going through and he has left them space to look at that. And

good for clubs abroad as well. A prospect. The not playing

international rugby, who will be around all season and we will see

what he does next. Interesting times. We can return to the action

on the bed. We can rejoin Jonathan Davies, Gareth and Martyn Williams.

-- on the pitch. COMMENTATOR: The ball slips forward

immediately from James Connelly and the Blues have the scrum on the 22

within a couple of seconds of restarting.

Always more difficult going backwards. Should have taken it

coming forward. But a great start for the Blues. Ruining his half-time

team talk! Good start to the second half, boys!

Cuthbert. Managed to steam-roll over Kieran Marmion, who is just on the

field. Bundee Aki. I have not seen much of him with ball in hand but he

has been effective, as effective as anybody in the breakdown. When he

goes wide they could be far more affective. For some reason Pat Lam

will start tearing his hair out. There is another guy, can't see him.

Somebody is scrapping again. It could even be Marmion. It is him.

Not looking good, I can tell you. That will cause a problem if they

have not got a scrum-half. He is coming off, definitely. They are

watching him on the camera shot. They are going to readjust the

backline. So unfortunate for Kieran Marmion. He has been on for one

minute and a half. And at least temporarily, he is off. At least he

is going off with a bit of a smile. Needing a stitch or two. Cleaning

up. He is limping. That means Peter Rob Hughes coming on. -- Peter Robb

is coming on. Somebody else will have to fill in at scrum-half now.

Slipping through the hands of O'Halloran. Picked up by Robb. Under

pressure from two, three Blues players.

Can the Blues take advantage of all of these changes forced on the

Connacht backline? Jarrod Evans. Brilliant tackle.

Turnover ball. Once he has cut the ball under his arm, he is not going

anywhere. He absolutely smashed it. Sean, you have seen something. We

are seeing Peter Mami and come on for Porter in the second half. Alex

Cuthbert has done some damage on him. Anything to do with the head,

Cuthbert is coming straight from the scrum. He has put his head in the

wrong side for the tackle and as a result he has gone off for some

stitches and a head injury assessment. A real opportunity for

the Blues. Your head in their and you will not get stitches on the

tackle. Good advice for anybody there. Williams, you have got to try

and put as much pressure on the back of the scrum as you possibly can

with him. That is what I know! He is too nice,

isn't he? He is away now. Good, quick ball as well. Rugby 25-macro.

Robbie 23-macro arise. -- Muldoon. -- McKeon arrives. A chance for

another go. O'Halloran. Over the top to Darragh Leader. 22. Side entry.

They have scrambled well, in fairness. First line of defence has

been cut on several occasions. They work hard and have got back. I just

think that it was a stage here which is to easy for Connacht.

Jonathan. Watching the last scrum, two things you would have noticed.

Stop it here. This guy is not an open side flanker. This man is not a

scrum-half. He is a winner. Jarrod Evans has got to be tight. Running

on. What happens? All standing. They are not sure. Lost the line-out, the

Blues. Luckily he was calling for people near him. He did not have

confidence in this past but it worked out well because it has been

picked up. Parata. Lewis. Quick and left. Lloyd

Williams. They have got options. They are going nowhere. Advantage

over. He has carried more than any other Blues players so far this

evening, Vosawai. Patchell. Tried to get the off-load to Turnbull. Of

their feet. Still in the right area. A bit of space. Three on two. Got

close. 14. Back then. OK, we are not having this discussion. Open up.

Stepped of him one metre. But ready to -- Cuthbert ready to come in.

Different this time without the line-out forward hanging around

there. Hands away now! Gethin Jenkins, his skipper. Evans. Gavin.

Feet first. He said he was off his feet. I think that is really hard. I

know he has courted. -- called it. It is a good tackle. Over the ball.

He is not off his feet at all. That is a textbook technique over the

ball. He has missed him. They should be moving on. That is a neck.

That is tough on James Connelly. Rhys Patchell has been given the

chance... He has missed that. He has missed

it. Well, he snatched at it. That is very difficult to fathom. He has

just hit it too hard. He has snatched it. You have got to have

smooth rhythm and stroke it. He struck it too hard. He just does not

want to kick, this bloke. He does not want to kick. Certainly a feud

dummy kicks. He has not kicked yet. He has done once. One good game so

far. He has stepped in there, hasn't he? Charging from the 22. Gavin

Evans or Turnbull? Gavin Evans. A much harder bag of tricks.

He is very important for the Blues. They have dominated territory. They

need to come away with something. Just pulled it onto the posts. Evans

was kicking last week. Looks quite sorted. You appreciate you do not

want to put too much pressure on the youngster. But it is part of the

game. Lewis. On his own. He is over him. But he is a bit wary that time.

Cannot blame him. Wrapped around left here. He is off his feet.

Very sharp with people off their feet. And they are a lot. It is

hard. Got a little bit ahead of the ball. He tried to readjust. Tried to

go over the ball and stay on his feet. Penalised for going off his

feet and the right decision. Two and five. Couple of changes for

the Blues. Number 19. And taking the line-out.

The news is Kieran Marmion is staying. Losing both scrum-half 's

either side of half-time. That has got to be a turnover, that.

I think the Blues have got to be more aggressive. They have had field

position since half-time. They have got to try and get over the line.

Quick recycling and punching some holes. I do not think enough players

are running it yet. Just carrying balls across the field. You have got

to offer something for the carriers. It is their decision then whether to

hit or not. But you have got to offer them something. No points in

the opening ten minutes of the second half.

Lloyd Williams. Out to Cuthbert. Now then. A good chance. Connelly.

Chances for but to run his way back into form. They have been few and

far between. Just got tapped on his ankles here. They worked the short

space very well. Here we are. Just watching here now. Very well

created. Created space. Just a downside. Just getting a touch. On

the open side, he has got it covered. Just watch. The scrum is

strong. Created space. Extra man. Take and give. Good skills. If you

can get past that covering defender, he just touches him. Good cover.

Needed to hold onto that ball and recycle.

Trying to lift the pressure on the makeshift scrum-half, Matt Healy, is

McKeon. Step away now. Pure frustration. He

is keen, isn't he? What is the penalty for? He is rolling off here.

Cleaned him out and he was not expecting it. Calling the penalty, I

think. Green, six. Your ball. Captain. Green six. Side entry. It

was picked, it was lifted, ball away. That is the decision. Both

teams are equally confused. Nobody is happy, are they? You have got to

go for goal. They have not won a game in six. That is a brave call.

If it comes off, it is the right call. You have got to take some

points. Nothing wrong with that at all. I thought this was a really

good head. The penalty from before that, going in at the side and

cleaning out, John Muldoon. Now then. Macauley Cook. He is the only

one who knew where the ball was. Leaving it out for Lloyd Williams.

Vosawai. Sense of urgency at last from the Blues. But they have left

it a bit. Just going back. Second row. They still keep tight. They

still attack around the fringes. Right into the post. Try to keep the

man up. Ball is here again for the company Mac. Got to be this time.

Tom James. -- Blues. Tom James has got the try. At last it has come for

the Blues. Well, it worked again. That is a great finish. The ball

carrying, the determination, hard running. It created numbers on the

left-hand side. Here we are. Here it is. And that is just a simple

mismatch. Getting him on the outside. Number two. Tom James has

noticed. He is in big trouble on his own try line. Tom James spotted it

and got on the outside. And he deserved that. A good finish.

Go back and focus on the restart. They have knocked the ball on and

given a penalty away. Focus on the restart.

Lovely curl around by Rhys Patchell. That is a lovely kick. The Blues

lead, 17-13. Xavier, as a former captain, what do you make of that

decision? Brave decision and I applaud them for doing it. They have

scored 20 Friday tries in the cover edition. They are obviously leaking

a lot of tries. -- 23 tries. Let's make a decision to score more tries.

Technically it is a good choice. One from Saddam. They have got to take

some risks and it is working for them. -- one from seven.

Rhys Patchell goes into ten. A new full-back. He is a quality player.

Sean O'Brien has come on for Connacht. Not the Sean O'Brien.

Thankfully. Bundee Aki will take on all comers. Halloran. Have a go

Halloran, there he is. Borderline. It's not over yet, not by a long

chalk. Decent looking Blues scrum. In the end the Vosawai had to go the

long way. Kristian Dacey presents the ball to Lloyd Williams. Gavin

Evans. Cuthbert. In the end, an tidy ball for Lloyd Williams. He passes

it on to Cuthbert. The ball spilled there. Bodies all over it. They will

go back to the original knock-on. While they sort out that in the next

scrum, Craig Mitchell is going to come on for the Blues. Tower Fu

Filise. That looks painful. Like the ones

used to get a preseason on the hard pig judges. -- Akerblom hard

pitches. When you go in the shower in the

morning. Oh! Vosawai is the last man out. I think Danny Wilson can

hearers. That decision to go for the corner. Was that an on the

Caulfield? It is important to hold field possession pressure. If we can

find field position we can come away with more points. That is the aim.

The wind is stronger than it looks and we have to use it. Especially

with the lead. We have to come away with points. The decision to change

Patchell at ten, is that to get to the kicking game going? It is just a

bit of game management to be in the right place at the right time. Happy

that you are getting more in this game in the second half? It is

pleasing. We have made errors that have put is under pressure but I'm

sure we can come away with something tonight. The effort perhaps deserves

it. What is worse? Grass burns or carpet burns? Grass burns. I've

never had a carpet burn. I hear they are nasty though. Trying to fight

their way back into this one. They need to close the game down now.

Play in the right areas. They have lost their shape a little bit

without a natural scrum-half. You are right. Porter was the one who

controlled the tempo of the game. Darragh leader. Anybody filling in

at scrum-half at the moment. Is that Healy at scrum-half? I think it

could be. Heffernan is at scrum-half at the moment. That is a good kick.

I think he is calling for the penalty. Bundee Aki has gone down.

That is Healy at scrum-half. You know what is going to happen. It is

going to grow wide. You know what they are going to throw at you so

you have two blind your defence accordingly. Bundee Aki is still

calling to the touch judge that he was taken in the air. Cannot have

got a winger playing scrum-half so you know that the service is going

to be as quick. You can get off the line. Here we go. Is he taken in the

air? That is definitely technically a penalty. You have seen them given.

A full fixture list tomorrow. For my good field guide, we are going to

League 1 East. We are going to the highest town in Wales. Against the

big pit boys. There is a line there somewhere. A mine of information.

Completely new front row for the Blues. Full marks to both teams.

Still not a scrum collapsed. I can't render when I last saw that.

O'Halloran is trained to beat every player on the field. Good

readjustment from Dan Fish. Can be so dangerous on the counter. He can

be so elusive. A great footballer, as well. He will add something in

attack. He had plenty of time to take the ball left. He was the only

one there. Would you have a crack with Patchell to make it seven

points? Danny Wilson is saying that the wind is stronger than you think.

Bundee Aki there. Couldn't really see from that angle, the referee is

right on it and has made the call straightaway. He goes beyond, puts

his hands down. If he goes for the ball, he wins it. Plenty of time. He

dragged himself back, consequently, took the space beyond the ball.

Good strike. Got it. Excellent kick by Rhys Patchell. How important that

could be for the Blues season. It is a big kick. Seven points. The way

the Blues have dominated the game in the second half, you have got to

keep on playing. 7-point gap. A converted try to get back on terms

for Connacht. That is what they have been looking for all game. They are

not going to change their style. Muldowney makes the little link with

the second row. Good play by John Muldoon. Healy. That is the

replacement tight head, Finlay Bealham. Good pressure from the

Blues defensively. Not going anywhere. Have to look for something

different. They see was waiting for Leader. -- Dacey was waiting. There

is Muldowney again. Not that effective. Not much yardage. Get the

ball standing still. O'Halloran does slip a tackle and slips a pass. Play

continues with Sean O'Brien. A couple of half bricks. Breaks. He

has carried well since he has come on. The Blues need to be patient and

not give away a penalty. Bundee Aki. Halloran. There are men on the

outside but the passing wasn't quite crisp enough. They have kept the

ball and haven't panicked. Mulls hourly, as you would expect. He is

inside centre, isn't he? -- Muldowney. This is an interesting

call. Whether they go for the three or four the corner. Plenty of time

left. They need to score twice to win. Ian Porter was their first

choice kicker. But Jack Carty is more than capable. Jack Carty gets

their first points of the second half. With less than 15 minutes

remaining, they are back within striking distance. Keep the ball in

hand. They look to spread it. I don't think they have got the

players to step and go. Maybe Bundee Aki can do it. That is a shocking

start. You cannot miss that many tackles. But when you are one from

seven, it doesn't matter how you win, you have just got to get that

win. Sam Hobbs, lazy running. Nothing developing. They will come

back for the original knock-on. Bundee Aki, as much as anybody has

put tacklers on their backside. Sprawling and grasping at thin air.

Five in one little sequence there. It is those one on ones that

Jonathan mentioned. That is the mindset. Having individual pride in

your defence. They have scrambled well. That has been the plus side in

the Blues defence. They have scrambled well once they have been

broken. Free kick so they cannot end for the corner. There he is again.

Halloran. Leader. Away from the touchline. Badly presented, though.

He will have to let that go, surely. He has been holding on for ages. You

have to pick him up and spot him and you have got to put pressure on him.

Into the final ten minutes of the match. They are not going anywhere.

Muldoon setting it up. Paula pass. Two replacements trying to conjure

something on the far side. Dan Fish has the pace and backs itself to get

there. Great recovery by Halloran. That was Connacht trying to force

it. Trying to create something out of nothing. Dan Fish does offer you

something there. So the full-back was out of position. Got back there.

But a knock-on. Anything now. Looking at the stats. Muldowney has

had 12 carries 49 metres. -- for nine metres. He is a distributor!

Conan O'Donnell. The 19-year-old to come on. They have a fresh front

row. I think they can have a real go at this scrum. Youngest member of

the Connacht squad. 19-year-old. They need something special to win

this game. It is Cardiff Blues game to close out. Stay in the game. I

think the injury to Porter was a huge blow to Connacht. Good scrum.

Lloyd Williams gets it away. And the forwards have done the salvage work.

The front row will owe Lloyd Williams a pint after this. He got

them out of trouble. Vosawai. His presence has been important for the

Blues this evening. Cuthbert. Held in the tackle. Bundee Aki again in

early. Gets over the ball. The Blues are not following the ball carrier

in the quick enough. A little bit slow in taking the contesting

carrying player out. Good sign for Connacht. There he is again. He's

in. Straight on the ball. That's it. You're not shifting him from there.

They need to do something that they haven't done in 73 minutes. They

need penetration and directness. They are going wide for the sake of

it. The Blues defence are coping well with it. They need to change

tack a little bit to get something out of this game. Wins of the

line-out. Various Bundee Aki going straight through. Nobody is close

enough to him. Waits for support to arrive. Allows ringing for the

Blues. -- alarm bells. That is a huge let off. The last scrum, they

destroyed them. They have to focus now. What a break this is. Left

footstep. Where is the defence? Where is the support? Where is the

full-back, where is the winners? -- wingers. Has he done his ankle or is

he just having a breather? We said it needed something special and that

was almost it. The guy is on the outside-half to anticipate better.

You have got Bundee Aki up the middle. They are miles behind. The

closest player to him is a forward. Where is the full-back? Where is the

outside centre? Where is the wind? Classic example of a preset move

where you have two kick the ball play a second phase. They haven't

anticipated the break. They are always looking to hit the rock. That

is why the Australians and the Kiwis are so good. They always gamble. If

there is a centre in there. You score and win the game. Now then,

the Blues have lost a scrum, have they? Yes, they have. Now they will

go to the corner. A bit of manner bags going on there. -- man

baggednow the pressure is very much on the Blues.

They turned a deficit at half-time into a lead. Is is a big scrum in

the context of the season. To hold on and get a win here would be a

very confidence building results. Just a metre short. Done really well

to defend that. It looked like it was going to go over the line. Right

on the try line. Who goes for the drive? Held up. They need a couple

of players together. They have got to defend tight. Around the corner

they come. They go left and they score. Vosawai is adamant it is a

knock-on. Has he said? Body language says knock-on. Try. Yes or no? We

will have a look now. It's gone forward. Yes. It is a knock-on.

That's gone forward. Surely it's gone forward. Knock-on. Green. Not

over yet. The last two scrums have been very dominant. Conan O'Donnell

and Finlay Bealham should they make their presence felt. If the Blues to

win this, it is down to the two line-outs they have defended. Where

they have just hung on. A try could pinch it for Connacht. Better scrum

for Vosawai. Charges through. Bodies all over the place. Has he said, no

arms in the tackle. Nothing wrong with that. He has caught him on the

leg. His head is in the wrong position. That is not a penalty.

Have a look at his hand around the back of his leg. Also. He's got his

head in the wrong position. That is a right shoulder tackle with the

head straight on. And he is a 5 foot 11 outside-half looking at 18 stone.

He has favoured his right shoulder when that is a left shoulder tackle.

What's gone on after it? Ridiculous. Clearly a no arms tackle. Absolutely

ridiculous decision. A terrible clumsy tackle. He has just got his

head on the right side. You can see his right arm is wrapped around

Vosawai's left calf. He's got him around his leg. His hand is on his

leg. He leans with the left shoulder. Put his head on the

right-hand side as we are looking at him. That is adding insult to

injury. He has just taken a pounding. He has hurt Vosawai. You

need to make a decision. Your man of the match? Al give it to Vosawai.

Cheer him up, hopefully. He's had a very good game. I hope he hasn't

injured himself. A little bit sore. But for me to 90 has run the ball

extremely well. -- for me tonight he's. And he got the first try.

Great kick. That was a very important defensive kick, as well.

It has given them the breathing space that they need. They need a

catch drive here. Take a view more minutes of the clock. The man of the

match departs. The new signing Cam Dolan comes on. A cameo appearance.

Now then, the Blues can surely see it out from here.

Oh. Field position to launch another attack.

Lifeline for Connacht. They have not got a big kicking game. No distance.

I know he is against the wind. You would be quite happy if that has

gone outside your 22. On the board. Here is Connacht. Possibly their

final effort. He cannot run now. He is injured. Across the ball. He is a

little bit please. He is not happy, is he? Bundee Aki.

He is not taking a backward step. Just got his hand in. He did really

well. He has tried as hard as anybody, O'Halloran. No penalty. If

you do not get a penalty, you give it to the Blues. 20 tackles this

evening. Josh Turnbull. He always puts in a shift every game. Six,

seven or eight. He has had a massive game tonight.

Ball out. The ball has been at last. Scrambled through. Rhys Patchell is

here. They will all be looking at the clock and Chesley. They can put

it out but they are not quite aware of it yet. Now they have been told

and the Blues know now that the long wait another win is finally at an

end. Lloyd Williams makes it absolutely safe. Second win for the

Blues. Just a second defeat for Connacht. How much does that mean to

the home side? They had to dig deep in the end. They made life difficult

at times. They stuck head. I think they were the dominant side. --

stuck at it. They lost a bit of shape towards the end of the first

half. But they improved a lot in the second half. Possession, territory.

They created the opportunities. Again, the mist tackles and the

small errors, momentum, shifted momentum and they put themselves

under pressure. They deservedly won the game but it could have been far

more comfortable. A gutsy effort in the end. Two five metre line adds to

defend. Not high in quality but as we said, they will take anything and

they needed it and it is hopefully a turning point in their season. Two

tries each. After so many defeats on the bounce, the blues have rebound

winning ways. That is a big scalp for them. They have defeated

Connacht, 20-16. Well, it was tight, tense and plenty

of drama. Blues crossing the line first through the man of the match

but Connacht responded almost immediately with Ian Porter.

Connacht have the ascendancy in the first half but a different story in

the second. Blues had a lot of territory. Tom James came back to

the Blues this season. Highest try scorer in the region and he added

one more to his tally, just stretching over the line. That was

enough along with a couple of penalties from Rhys Patchell to

steer them to a victory, 20-16. The man of the match is now talking to

fill. Gemma will present the man of the match award. Banks, Gemma. --

thank you. That looks nasty on your leg. How is it? It is quite sore.

Hopefully I will be looked at tomorrow, the day after. Those

tackles are a bit of a nuisance. Just coming straight for your leg

there is nothing much you can do. What about that performance? A win

at last. We have had a good of the season. But we have struggled in the

first games this season. We are really happy. We stuck it out today.

It was not the best of games but we knew coming in it was going to be

really tough. It was tough till the end. We are really happy that today

we can have a win and turn our season around and we look forward to

the next game next week, Montpellier. Congratulations again

on your performance. We will speak to Danny Wilson, the main man. One

win, Danny, how does it feel? Really good if I am honest. Really

relieved. They dug in to get a win. We made it tough on ourselves a

couple of times. Contact was an issue. I have got to be proud of

these players. They have got a win against the league leaders.

Hopefully that will springboard us from here. It you can put your

finger on the reasons why what would they be? They have been digging hard

for a lot of games and we have been on the wrong end. A lot of hard

work, a lot believe and we can get ourselves of a line like we did

today. Congratulations on the win. Hopefully the first of many.

You know Danny Wilson well. He kept his lead on his emotions but you can

guarantee is very happy and relieved. You can see that. He took

the Bristol team down on Tuesday to prepare for this game. All credit to

him. He managed well from the stands. His substitutions were good.

Set piece was strong. He made brave decisions to go put the corner,

resulting in two tries. Really pleased for him. Bold decisions

which you highlighted in the match. They got a lot of tries and two when

they had to score more. Ultimately that is potentially a big turning

point. Seven defeat in a row and finally getting a win. And they got

a win against the league leaders. Those penalties were possible

penalties. They took great decisions to put them out into the corner. If

they did not do that they would not have scored any tries. That was the

difference in the game for me. How relieved and delighted will Danny

Wilson be? Not a great deal of emotion but seven defeats in a row

will play on the mind of any code. I have interviewed Danny before in the

lounge. In fairness to him, as a young coach, you would be starting

to feel the pressure. I had not noticed it once. He has stayed

strong. It is going to take a couple of years to get the team back to

where he wanted it. Obviously that win is going to help. He knows his

own mind. Let's have a look at the table and see how this is leaving

things. They were ten. We will check the table in a minute. A result,

20-16. That is the latest between Ulster and Adam Brat. They climb one

place. -- and Edinburgh. They have got another tuna deed to return to

the top of the table. -- another opportunity. That is all we have got

time for. They have stopped the rot and invited a first defeat on

Connacht in seven games. Congratulations to the company

macro. Double header to come against Montpellier. -- the Blues. Then the

much anticipated Christmas derbies. I cannot wait.

# rocking around the Christmas tree...

# you will get a sentimental feeling when you hear... # voices singing

let's be jolly. # deck the halls with boughs of holly. # rocking

around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday... # everyone dancing

merrily in the new old-fashioned