:00:21. > :00:26.After a two-week break Friday night rugby is back. Dragons and Leinster
:00:27. > :00:33.suffered maulings in Europe last week. They will be looking to roar
:00:34. > :00:37.back in the Pro12. It is second versus 11th that position is often
:00:38. > :00:44.lie. Leinster are the league's form side. But the Dragons did the double
:00:45. > :00:57.over them last season and this is what it felt like. The Dragons may
:00:58. > :01:01.be the only Welsh region still flying the flag in Europe that they
:01:02. > :01:05.are languishing near the bottom of the league. Leinster may have had
:01:06. > :01:09.the European woes but are building momentum in the process well. That
:01:10. > :01:14.seven of seven wins in a row have seen the flying to second, just a
:01:15. > :01:18.points behind league leaders, Scarlets. This is an important
:01:19. > :01:25.period in the process well. The Six Nations is on behalf of them.
:01:26. > :01:32.Welcome to Scrum V from a wet and windy Rodney Parade. I am toyed by
:01:33. > :01:37.Ryan Jones. Despite ten years at the Ospreys he is Bill got a soft spot
:01:38. > :01:41.for the men of Gwent. Leinster are missing 30 players come if you
:01:42. > :01:45.believe their press release, to international call ups and injury.
:01:46. > :01:50.Great time to play them. I think it is. This is an exciting period for
:01:51. > :01:56.the Dragons. They are back home. Their home form has been good. We've
:01:57. > :02:01.got Ulster, converts, Glasgow. This is a good opportunity for them. I
:02:02. > :02:05.wouldn't believe everything in the press about Leinster. It is their
:02:06. > :02:07.ability littered with quality. Great conditions for the Dragons, they
:02:08. > :02:13.will thrive with the pack they have got. I expect them to do well. The
:02:14. > :02:18.Dragons have got Hallam Amos back. His first Pro12 starts this season
:02:19. > :02:24.as he tries to get back to match fitness. Is he glad to be back and
:02:25. > :02:28.raring to go with have preferred to have stayed in camp and wrapped
:02:29. > :02:32.himself in cotton world? He will be fully aware he needs gametime.
:02:33. > :02:37.Warren would have sat down with them and explained to him that he needs
:02:38. > :02:44.to go and grasp the opportunity. We need guys like him, he's got a
:02:45. > :02:52.wealth of talent. If we will see him in this weather is another matter.
:02:53. > :02:58.Let's go over to Sean Holley. You look at the team sheet this evening,
:02:59. > :03:00.the Dragons will fancy their chances against a fairly clean looking
:03:01. > :03:05.Leinster pack. In the Leinster backline behind the scrum the still
:03:06. > :03:09.got some serious attacking options. Don't let them pull the wool over
:03:10. > :03:15.your eyes. Three internationals on the bench. They are out of Europe so
:03:16. > :03:18.Dragons must be careful. They don't want a smash and grab against them.
:03:19. > :03:24.Leinster will bring their usual threats. You have to watch the
:03:25. > :03:28.inside ball. They are the masters of this. They are looking for the
:03:29. > :03:34.transition where forwards are overcooking the fold. You will see
:03:35. > :03:38.Dave Kearney here. Justin Tipuric over coax it. He comes on the
:03:39. > :03:43.outcome that is enough in these conditions. No sextant and night but
:03:44. > :03:49.both their tens will be pumping it in the. -- no Jonny Sexton tonight.
:03:50. > :03:52.The Dragons have been working on their forwards play and a minor
:03:53. > :03:58.variations. Kingsley Jones will tell you it is about upfront and night.
:03:59. > :04:05.Ed Jackson comes out. Looking to get across the gain line. Rhys Thomas
:04:06. > :04:10.and Rynard Landman connected. On this occasion they win a penalty in
:04:11. > :04:15.front of the sticks. Expect to see a lot of this tonight. Up the jumper
:04:16. > :04:20.stuff. It'll be all fast and it isn't going to be pretty.
:04:21. > :04:27.Rodney Parade is getting to bit of surface water behind us. The game is
:04:28. > :04:30.going ahead and they were worries that it wouldn't have been. The
:04:31. > :04:33.ground staff have worked overtime and Phil Steele is perfectly
:04:34. > :04:39.positioned to give us a pitch inspection. I only see the glamorous
:04:40. > :04:49.side of life! BPH is taking a step so to speak. Awful conditions, a
:04:50. > :04:53.swirling wind. -- the pet. Rhys Thomas has won the toss for the
:04:54. > :05:00.Dragons. Swirling rain as welcoming coming over the stand. Not a night
:05:01. > :05:05.it be a fallback. Whatever the weather, you can always count on
:05:06. > :05:17.this hardy the Dragons fans. They will be making some noise as always.
:05:18. > :05:24.Thank you very much. One thing you cannot accuse the Dragons fans of,
:05:25. > :05:29.not being enthusiastic. Better they can transfer the European form over
:05:30. > :05:33.to the Pro12. It is a grim and ugly night as Rodney Parade. The Dragons
:05:34. > :05:41.are forward pack will be relishing that. Let's hand you over to our
:05:42. > :05:45.commentary team. We will enjoy the match with Martyn Williams and
:05:46. > :06:04.Gareth Charles. It is a dreadful night and some new faces there.
:06:05. > :06:10.A first that Adam Byrne on the wing. Another academy player from
:06:11. > :06:19.Leinster. Because of international callers, that is why there is a
:06:20. > :06:22.number of new faces in white. We will see what kind of strength in
:06:23. > :06:30.depth Leo Cullen has at his disposal. Rhys Thomas leads out the
:06:31. > :06:36.Dragons, fully recovered from injury. There is a late change to
:06:37. > :06:41.that line-up. Cory Hill comes in. Landman goes in at number eight.
:06:42. > :06:47.Lewis Evans into a calf during warm up. Hallam Amos released by Wales.
:06:48. > :06:52.Hasn't played since the World Cup since he got injured. Ashton Hewitt
:06:53. > :06:57.has been having some headlines so watch out for him. Three would be
:06:58. > :07:03.deadly turns on the bench for Leinster. The likes of Strauss,
:07:04. > :07:13.bass, Madigan and Reid have plenty of experience. Good to see Benjamin
:07:14. > :07:20.back as well. Marius Mitrea of Italy, the man in charge this
:07:21. > :07:25.evening. The inform team, Leinster, have got seven on the bounce. They
:07:26. > :07:28.have managed and eight the couple of seasons ago. A managed 12 in a row
:07:29. > :07:38.five years ago. Carrying is going to be important.
:07:39. > :07:42.Holding onto the ball in these conditions is going to be difficult
:07:43. > :07:49.and the wind is going to play a big part as well. The swirling wind that
:07:50. > :07:52.is making this very, very heavy drizzle and comfortable for the
:07:53. > :07:57.players and although there is no water on the page, it is very muddy
:07:58. > :07:58.indeed. Considering the conditions we have had, it could be much, much
:07:59. > :08:15.worse. Kirchner does well. He waits for
:08:16. > :08:38.support to drive, led by Dominic Ryan.
:08:39. > :08:43.Landman has been performing well in the second row for the Dragons. A
:08:44. > :08:49.different set of skills needed for him this evening. A late change to
:08:50. > :08:58.never eight. A late penalty goes the Dragons way. A chance to bring in
:08:59. > :09:02.somebody in, Martyn Williams. This is glorious! This is an advert for
:09:03. > :09:07.summer rugby! Losing Lewis Evans could be a blow in normal
:09:08. > :09:12.circumstances for the Dragons but because of the type of play Landman
:09:13. > :09:17.and Cory Hill coming in, I can't see this on being open. It might benefit
:09:18. > :09:22.the Dragons. You mentioned the handling skills and the kicking game
:09:23. > :09:23.as well is huge. To port kicks by Leinster have put themselves under
:09:24. > :09:38.pressure. -- to put. Dominic Ryan going over the ball. He
:09:39. > :09:44.claimed he had hands on the ball before the wreck was formed. The
:09:45. > :09:51.referee decided that. The wind is swirling more than anything.
:09:52. > :10:00.They want to get the lineout drive going. Nic Cudd looking to see how
:10:01. > :10:11.close that line is. It had to go to ground in the end.
:10:12. > :10:17.Leinster trying to keep organised in defence and not committing to many.
:10:18. > :10:26.The Dragons are happy to pick and go. It is all short range store.
:10:27. > :10:34.That was an important tackle by Ross Molony.
:10:35. > :10:48.Now a little bit of weight. Jason Tovey. He would steps inside and it
:10:49. > :10:53.is as easy as that. We know he is quick. Showed a bit of strength,
:10:54. > :11:00.good finish. A brilliant start by the Dragons. They will have been
:11:01. > :11:05.hurting. They dominated a couple of weeks ago. They have come flying out
:11:06. > :11:14.of the blocks. The decision to go for the corner justified. Great
:11:15. > :11:27.patience by the Dragons pack. Ashton Hewitt up against Michael Bent.
:11:28. > :11:31.Brilliant start by the Dragons. Leinster off the back of a 50 point
:11:32. > :11:37.hammering so there are question marks over them as well. Jason Tovey
:11:38. > :11:43.adding the conversion. Makes the stars even better. The tight head
:11:44. > :11:47.wasn't going to get across. In the end, a bit of confusion between him
:11:48. > :11:54.and Fergus McFadden. Good work by the Dragons pack. The Dragons have
:11:55. > :12:17.got an advantage in the back. He is giving it a welly, is Carl
:12:18. > :12:23.Mayer. The wind is favouring them more than Munster at the minute. It
:12:24. > :12:30.has died down. The rain has stopped the little bit. But the wind isn't a
:12:31. > :12:38.severe as it was at the start. A decent start for both teams. We were
:12:39. > :12:54.expecting a deluge and it arrived about half an hour before kick-off.
:12:55. > :13:04.Pretorius ready for the quick tap and go. They won't have a thriller
:13:05. > :13:06.in if they Gopher touch. The way they are lining up, it is going to
:13:07. > :13:24.go up. Excellent defence from the Dragons.
:13:25. > :13:32.They seemed fired in these opening half a dozen minutes.
:13:33. > :13:43.A knock-on advantage being played. Leinster trying to get out of their
:13:44. > :13:48.half. That is Hayden Triggs, from New Zealand. A nice little step from
:13:49. > :14:05.Carl Maas. -- Cathal Marsh. That is key in
:14:06. > :14:11.these conditions. It is key to get territory, to get over the gain
:14:12. > :14:18.line. The defence is easier in this weather. You can't give penalties
:14:19. > :14:21.away. Jason Tovey, a good hit initially but you've got to try and
:14:22. > :14:30.roll away much quicker than that. It is giving Leinster easy yards. He
:14:31. > :14:39.has got to try and roll out of their much quicker.
:14:40. > :14:48.Dan Leavy standing at scrum-half so you will expect the drive had they
:14:49. > :14:53.won it. Carl Maas there's the rescue operation for his team. -- Cathal
:14:54. > :15:15.Marsh. The Dragons up very quickly. Ben
:15:16. > :15:21.Te'o. Relieves the pressure. The line speed from the Dragons is
:15:22. > :15:27.excellent. Yes, unrecognisable from the team that played sale last week.
:15:28. > :15:35.That line speed is putting the pressure on the Leinster outside
:15:36. > :15:42.packs. Ben Te'o must be thinking why isn't he in Sydney in the sun? It
:15:43. > :15:47.has been a long eight days of training for the Dragons boys since
:15:48. > :15:52.last Thursday. He was born in Auckland and they see a shower or
:15:53. > :15:56.two there. Ben Te'o has been excellent. He is so, so dangerous.
:15:57. > :16:03.He has signed for Worcester next year. They look for guys like him
:16:04. > :16:12.who are game changes. Garry Ringrose as well, he has been baked up as the
:16:13. > :16:17.new Brian O'Driscoll. People were surprised when he wasn't selected
:16:18. > :16:20.for the island squad. We have seen in the big games, he glides Mike
:16:21. > :16:21.Bryan O'Driscoll. I think he is quicker than Brian O'Driscoll used
:16:22. > :16:42.to be. He turned 20 13 days ago. This claim is one area where the
:16:43. > :16:48.Dragons have put in so much work this week. They were destroyed in
:16:49. > :16:52.their last game. They held their own against Castres. I am sure Kingsley
:16:53. > :17:00.Jones has put a lot of work into this.
:17:01. > :17:08.The referee could have let that go. There are going to be a lot of slips
:17:09. > :17:19.tonight. Just let the scrum-half get it out of the way. Look to have the
:17:20. > :17:25.more solid scrum, the Dragons. Boris Stankovich at the far side alongside
:17:26. > :17:30.Rhys Thomas and Brok Harris. Michael Bent on the tight head who is
:17:31. > :17:38.supplying the experience in that Leinster front row. Four caps for
:17:39. > :17:47.Ireland. He played for Ireland before he played for Leinster. A
:17:48. > :17:54.good scrum from the Dragons. They held onto long. They put themselves
:17:55. > :18:04.under immense pressure. Why didn't he get out of there sooner? Whether
:18:05. > :18:15.it was Landman or Crosswell. The dragon friends fries do their job.
:18:16. > :18:17.-- the drunken friends row did their job -- the Dragons Prince row did
:18:18. > :18:27.their job. Poor communication from the Dragons.
:18:28. > :18:34.By the time Nick Crosswell bits do down to pick up the ball he had the
:18:35. > :18:41.other seven coming at him. Confusion in the Dragons. You've got Cory Hill
:18:42. > :18:49.playing in middle row. Landman wearing five in the flank. Nicely
:18:50. > :18:53.struck by Fergus McFadden and Leinster have their first points of
:18:54. > :19:00.the evening. It is being a decent start. Conditions are really bad out
:19:01. > :19:09.there. Both sides looking to play. Both sides off a real hammering from
:19:10. > :19:12.last week. The Dragons and not wait to get into the top six but they
:19:13. > :19:16.will want to finish as high up the table as they can. If Leinster win
:19:17. > :19:51.this tonight they go top. Unfortunately for Leinster, the good
:19:52. > :19:56.work is wasted. The kicking game by Leinster has
:19:57. > :20:01.been poor. Look at the touch judge's flag, it is really against them. He
:20:02. > :20:10.is seeming to be struggling. Lost by screech. He tried to come
:20:11. > :20:28.back down. He went to have a go even from a
:20:29. > :20:31.standing start. He's got the natural ability to beat a man. You can tell,
:20:32. > :21:00.real talent. Te'o is struggling. I think he made
:21:01. > :21:04.the tackle here. The referee has given in the benefit of the doubt.
:21:05. > :21:28.It looks like his groin or quad. He wants to carry on. There is the
:21:29. > :21:31.Dragons skipper. Deadline. It doesn't go away, it just gets worse.
:21:32. > :21:39.-- a dead leg. He won't need any cold water brought
:21:40. > :21:59.on anyway! A couple of 30 things for the
:22:00. > :22:14.Dragons, a couple of 20 things for Leinster in the front row.
:22:15. > :22:19.Now it is a matter of whether they tackle the line or not. A much
:22:20. > :22:25.better kick from the Leinster fly-half. They will be happy
:22:26. > :22:32.without. Use the greasy surface to put pressure on T. Rhys Thomas. You
:22:33. > :22:43.need time in the line-out to be perfect. As we saw last time, it is
:22:44. > :22:58.difficult to hang onto. Pretorius is away and running.
:22:59. > :23:13.The freeboard pinched by Leinster. -- free ball.
:23:14. > :23:22.McGrath through the gap and under the posts. The Dragons look at each
:23:23. > :23:26.other and say, how did that happen? It all comes from the hit initially.
:23:27. > :23:34.I think it was Jordi Murphy Dan Leavy. The Dragons have lost all and
:23:35. > :23:37.seven. They tried to pick and go and with the slippery conditions Landman
:23:38. > :23:43.lost. The ball slipped out of his grasp. Just lost it as he was going
:23:44. > :23:50.to ground. Great work by Ross Molony. Then it is just poor defence
:23:51. > :23:54.by the Dragons. Brok Harris, as the first man there he is not supposed
:23:55. > :24:02.to move. Landman has gone to white, too early. With somebody of Luke
:24:03. > :24:18.McGrath's pace you can't do that. The gap between the two defenders is
:24:19. > :24:26.huge. Exposed there. Great play, great vision by Luke McGrath but put
:24:27. > :24:31.defence by the Dragons. The Dragons find themselves three points down
:24:32. > :24:40.after being in control for the first 15 minutes. Luke McGrath did indeed
:24:41. > :24:49.a second invitation. That did not need. If they can get the ball wide
:24:50. > :24:55.and I'd say do, you've got to make sure around the rocket area is
:24:56. > :25:00.solid. You can't allow them to come through the middle that easily. The
:25:01. > :25:30.wind is coming right across field. That is an excellent kick. Such a
:25:31. > :25:39.difference. The initial kick but the Irish team in the. That by Kirchner
:25:40. > :25:43.puts the Dragons and oppressor. When we came here, the rain was pouring
:25:44. > :25:47.down and you would think it was going to be a kick fast. That it has
:25:48. > :25:53.been a very entertaining 16 minutes. They were hacked to wait for a
:25:54. > :26:01.second for the line-out because Elliott Dee has to raise across.
:26:02. > :26:09.Rhys Thomas's dead leg isn't going to get any better. You can't run
:26:10. > :26:13.that. Kingsley Jones was singing the
:26:14. > :26:20.praises of Elliott Dee a week or two ago. Unfortunately for him, his
:26:21. > :26:22.first one has not hit the target. He wasn't expected to come on this
:26:23. > :26:35.early. Definite miscommunication. That is a decent effort from Ashton
:26:36. > :27:18.Hewitt. Jordi Murphy had come down to the
:27:19. > :27:28.front of the line. Ben Te'o shows his carrying abilities.
:27:29. > :27:38.A half charged down from the new skipper, Landman. A lovely inside
:27:39. > :27:48.board. Landman in support. One more password have done it. Nic Cudd.
:27:49. > :27:49.Desperate defence from Leinster. In goes Elliott Dee ahead of Brok
:27:50. > :27:58.Harris. Crosswell brought down on the line
:27:59. > :28:04.and it has gone forward. They will play on. He waited in a bit of
:28:05. > :28:11.space, plenty of space to get his second. They are going to review it
:28:12. > :28:14.in case there was a knock-on. They're
:28:15. > :28:24.REFEREE: Can you look for a knock-on at the
:28:25. > :28:29.breakdown please. My initial thought was it came off a
:28:30. > :28:38.Leinster boot. Let's have a look at this. Tim Hayes is having a look. It
:28:39. > :28:48.has gone forward but you can't see where that came. It is a fault. It
:28:49. > :28:54.is a Leinster foot. It is the hooker James Tracy. He has dragged its over
:28:55. > :28:57.the top. I don't think that has come off Pretorius, that is the Leinster
:28:58. > :29:10.player. Pretorius touched it there and then
:29:11. > :29:21.the foot kick it out of his hand. I think that trying should stand. I
:29:22. > :29:31.agree. The foot from the hooker. It might be Peter Dooley.
:29:32. > :29:35.It has been knocked on by the scrum. Doesn't agree. He says it is a
:29:36. > :29:46.knock-on. Well, that is unlucky. I think that
:29:47. > :29:48.is a big call. I thought it had gone backwards and the foot brought it
:29:49. > :29:56.forward. A real shame to stop great work from Landman. But that is what
:29:57. > :29:59.it is all about. Absolutely electric. Great vision from Jason
:30:00. > :30:15.Tovey. Unlucky for the Dragons. It is very in their key on the
:30:16. > :30:34.Dragons. He has been struggling. I think he
:30:35. > :30:40.took a blow work twist. The last thing the Dragons want to do is load
:30:41. > :31:26.down my lose two of their attacking two in the first 20 minutes.
:31:27. > :31:35.Free ball. At the front. A bit untidy than the Dragons would have
:31:36. > :31:47.wanted it. Pretorius was looking for ways
:31:48. > :32:33.through. There were none. Nice flip out the back door.
:32:34. > :32:36.Beautifully played. Great hands in these conditions. If he meant that,
:32:37. > :32:53.that was brilliant. He pulled that one back inside when
:32:54. > :33:07.he's saw when you're drifting out and it has worked.
:33:08. > :33:14.I was just going to criticise him. They at the penalty and I heated
:33:15. > :33:27.when they're my cake. It may well have worked out. Maybe the body
:33:28. > :33:29.language is too confident. CS McGrath managed to get his hands on
:33:30. > :33:56.it first. -- we will see if. He has just got that back. I do not
:33:57. > :33:58.think he had downward pressure. His body lying which did not look
:33:59. > :34:19.positive as he got up. He is not sure at all. If there is
:34:20. > :34:29.any reason he cannot award the try... That's for me... I think Luke
:34:30. > :34:34.McGrath is just... All of the Dragons are back in their own half
:34:35. > :34:40.and Leinster are lining up. It is brilliant we have this technology to
:34:41. > :34:41.clear things up as well! In the footballer Wednesday they were
:34:42. > :35:05.crying out for technology. He just pulled it back towards him.
:35:06. > :35:11.He has his address on the ball before Adam Warren can get pressure.
:35:12. > :35:23.Adam Warren his long black slaves on and it looks as if the white arm as
:35:24. > :35:27.the ball first. -- sleeves. REFEREE: It is inconclusive. Back to
:35:28. > :35:57.the penalty. It is a good call. A difficult kick
:35:58. > :36:01.in these conditions. Hopefully we will hear from them in a moment.
:36:02. > :36:16.Stevie is larking about somewhere as well. Can they get a drive going?
:36:17. > :36:29.They have the penalty coming. The Dragons have to be patient and keep
:36:30. > :36:33.the ball. Nobody on the blindside. REFEREE: Advantage played. Harris
:36:34. > :36:45.has a go. Called back for the offences on the
:36:46. > :37:05.line. Corner again. REFEREE: Penalty in the line-out so
:37:06. > :37:13.they choose the line-out. Penalising Molony for taking down Screech in
:37:14. > :37:16.the Atmos Max. We think until the Dragons have caught the ball. If
:37:17. > :37:28.you're going to take the man you have to do it just as he hits the
:37:29. > :37:38.ground. Poor presentation. He will want a word. He is asking Craig
:37:39. > :37:52.Evans if he can remember the penalty offender. Same again. Because it is
:37:53. > :37:58.an fence in the line-out they can opt for the line-out again.
:37:59. > :38:02.Penalised for pulling down on the arm. Both went for the ball.
:38:03. > :38:04.Dangerous for Leinster. Another of the inside somebody will be going to
:38:05. > :38:17.the bin. The Dragons, we again with nothing
:38:18. > :38:42.to show for their efforts. The clearance job completed. By the
:38:43. > :38:49.young man who is skippering his team for the first time, Luke McGrath.
:38:50. > :38:57.Let us see what the Dragons Management are making offered.
:38:58. > :39:03.You said you wanted a reaction. How happy are you? The boys have done
:39:04. > :39:10.OK. We are very disappointed with the ten points we have given away. A
:39:11. > :39:14.soft penalty in a scrum. We one the line-up well and we turned the ball
:39:15. > :39:21.off in our 22 and you cannot do that. Disappointed with that. We are
:39:22. > :39:25.having a crack despite the conditions which are tougher both
:39:26. > :39:35.sets of players. You have a bit of pressure. It is important to come
:39:36. > :39:40.away with points. Two penalties for illegal play. In the third attempt
:39:41. > :39:45.we have lost it. Very disappointing. Playing in the right area and with
:39:46. > :39:53.the right amount of pressure. I ensure they will, if we stay up
:39:54. > :40:00.there. A very even contest. The Dragons making slightly better of it
:40:01. > :40:08.but Leinster taking their chances. He has kicked the ball out of
:40:09. > :40:12.Pretorius' hands. REFEREE: You kicked the ball out of
:40:13. > :40:18.the scrum-half's hands. It is illegal. The yellow Cudd did not
:40:19. > :40:29.come for the line-out infringing. It came for Dan Leavy taking the ball
:40:30. > :40:42.out of recovery is' hands. -- Pretorius'. Yes. The ball was out
:40:43. > :40:49.there. He could not help himself. Maybe he was expecting to pass. The
:40:50. > :40:58.scrum-half has got it. Probably not a yellow Cudd offence on its own but
:40:59. > :41:00.the number of times it has happened, the referee felt it was right for
:41:01. > :41:19.him to go to the bin. Crosswell hanging onto the back
:41:20. > :41:25.ahead of him that was going forward. Leinster have done well to get back
:41:26. > :41:31.and stop that. The Dragons have got everybody back apart from one
:41:32. > :41:37.person. Lose this and they could be in trouble. You could almost throw a
:41:38. > :41:42.blanket over the whole Dragons team. You would appreciate it in this
:41:43. > :41:53.weather. Adam Hughes is making his way out there.
:41:54. > :42:00.Leinster defending one man short. The Dragons need to come away
:42:01. > :42:03.Leinster defending one man short. something. It is the vote time they
:42:04. > :42:08.have been down this something. It is the vote time they
:42:09. > :42:14.line. The change of direction was right but the execution was not.
:42:15. > :42:28.Pretorius slotted through. Warren looks. Warren does not reach.
:42:29. > :42:37.I think it was a good option from Pretorius. McFadden does well to get
:42:38. > :42:51.back. That could be a scrum five to the Dragons. I do not know if Adam
:42:52. > :42:58.has got a touch on this. Yes. This was definitely on. The past just
:42:59. > :43:10.falling away. They score their first try. He was outside his man.
:43:11. > :43:18.McFadden has done really well. Getting behind the goal line. It is
:43:19. > :43:36.deemed it has come off Adam. Most of the game has
:43:37. > :43:38.been in the Leinster half but the Dragons do not have the points to
:43:39. > :44:26.show for it. It is all using uptime that -- Dan
:44:27. > :44:33.Leavy is off the field. It is eating away at that ten minutes. Fair play,
:44:34. > :44:49.both sides have been positive and stable. Given the conditions.
:44:50. > :45:02.REFEREE: Stop talking. Doing good so far.
:45:03. > :45:20.SWEARING. Apologies for the bad language picked up on the referee's
:45:21. > :45:25.microphone. Murphy tries to relieve the pressure. That is the experience
:45:26. > :45:40.of the Irish international. That is not a bad return from
:45:41. > :45:49.McGrath. Great work from Leinster. Murphy has gone against the wheel. A
:45:50. > :46:03.good kick from McGrath. The rain is back. You can see it. Once again the
:46:04. > :46:29.Dragons have promised but failed to deliver.
:46:30. > :46:36.Ashton Hewitt with the huge struggle luck. If he had scored they would
:46:37. > :46:47.have had a look at that one. They might well go. Pretorius look --
:46:48. > :46:54.looks to get away. He frees his hands. Jason Tovey strolls over at
:46:55. > :47:03.the Dragons have come away with points. He looked as if he had lost
:47:04. > :47:12.the ball, Ashton Hewitt. From Pretorius. Brilliant from Pretorius
:47:13. > :47:19.and Ashton Hewitt. But he was going to go all the way. He sucks their
:47:20. > :47:40.men. He does a double and helps them. -- them in. Good hands from
:47:41. > :47:45.Stankovich. I do not to know what he is playing tonight, whether he is at
:47:46. > :47:51.blindside. Good finish from Tovey. Nothing more than they deserve. The
:47:52. > :47:58.last ten or 15 minutes dominating territory and possession. It was
:47:59. > :48:05.Jason Tovey's try and his conversion. They have made use of
:48:06. > :48:12.the extra man. Good hands. Great break. It is called out there, the
:48:13. > :48:15.wingers have not touched the ball much but when they have they have
:48:16. > :48:35.looked really lively. Rynard Landman has been very
:48:36. > :48:41.important for the Dragons. He has featured in all 12 games this year.
:48:42. > :48:50.He is one of the quickest over ten or 15 metres in the Dragons scored.
:48:51. > :48:55.He always finds himself out there. Zane Kirchner is not happy it has
:48:56. > :49:00.gone straight out for some reason. He was inside his own 22 when he
:49:01. > :49:05.kicked it, so it is a fantastic kick. Zane Kirchner now where he was
:49:06. > :49:10.but he did not know where my particular was. I think Carl Meyer
:49:11. > :49:29.has been a good signing for the Dragons as well. Good right boot.
:49:30. > :49:36.80% of the game in Leinster's half and half of it in the 22. The game
:49:37. > :49:53.seems to be picking up speed. More possession from Nic Cudd. They
:49:54. > :50:05.look lively with ball in hand, the Dragons. They are getting those
:50:06. > :50:11.extra two or three metres particularly in this area. Going for
:50:12. > :50:21.the drop goal. That is three more points. The important thing is to
:50:22. > :50:30.come away with points. Jason Tovey supplies three more. The Dragons
:50:31. > :50:34.look lively with ball in hand. In these conditions to chase the lead
:50:35. > :50:42.down is so difficult whether you have the lead or not. Great decision
:50:43. > :50:59.from Tovey. A real blow for Leinster to concede three more.
:51:00. > :51:05.Half a minute until the sin-bin is over for Dan Leavy. They have to
:51:06. > :51:30.protect themselves. Tail as the ball stripped from his
:51:31. > :51:36.hands by Adam Hughes. Checking whether he was moved forward. The
:51:37. > :51:38.crowd and a lot of the Dragons players thought so. Still in
:51:39. > :52:05.Leinster's grasp. Nicely done. Nic Cudd stands firm in the tackle.
:52:06. > :52:14.Leinster looking to get back on terms. Good work by Harris winning a
:52:15. > :52:28.penalty. He was the only dragon in a mass of white shirts. Using his
:52:29. > :52:32.skills to put Landman away. At a tease stage. If Leinster get any
:52:33. > :52:42.points going into half-time they will be happy with that. Dan Leavy
:52:43. > :52:47.has had to sit and watch his team go from being ahead to trailing by
:52:48. > :53:22.17-10 with half-time looming. Waiting for Hewitt that time. Dan
:53:23. > :53:32.Leavy trying to make up for lost time and lost points. They should
:53:33. > :53:43.have used you it as a decoy. -- Ashton Hewitt. Good timing. Very
:53:44. > :53:51.solid. Quite lucky, the Dragons, to win this back. He has driven across
:53:52. > :53:58.the ball and stolen it in one go. He has scored eight tries for Leinster
:53:59. > :54:05.in the cup this season. He has not had many outings in the full
:54:06. > :54:16.line-up. Difficult when you have Sean O'Brien. And Tony Murphy in
:54:17. > :54:26.front of you. All of those boys will be away. It has been a really
:54:27. > :54:41.entertaining first half. Conditions are awful. Both teams have tried to
:54:42. > :54:47.play. The players must be enjoying themselves. They are in no rush to
:54:48. > :54:56.get off the field. Interesting whether the Dragons go for more
:54:57. > :55:05.points or go in with a 7-point lead. I would have a go. Pretorius in the
:55:06. > :55:12.AM says that will do as nicely. Turning round a deficit into a lead.
:55:13. > :55:18.The rest of the points supplied by Jason Tovey. Adam Warren and Ashton
:55:19. > :55:28.Hewitt came close. The Dragons well worth the lead. The captain is with
:55:29. > :55:33.our reporter. Conditions are not going to get any
:55:34. > :55:42.better. We are playing in the right areas. We are in the lead and have
:55:43. > :55:49.to play in the right areas in the second half and hopefully we will
:55:50. > :55:57.get the pressure and the points. Have a good orange. Here is a
:55:58. > :56:07.recapped. Filthy weather. Ashton Hewitt with a
:56:08. > :56:14.great start for the Dragons, going over for an early try on three
:56:15. > :56:20.minutes. McGrath crossing back for Leinster. A couple of disallowed
:56:21. > :56:31.tries for the Dragons. The knock-on meant that did not stand. Dan Leavy
:56:32. > :56:41.was off the pitch and the Dragons scored ten points. A penalty in the
:56:42. > :56:49.second half. -- if he gets a penalty in the second half they will have a
:56:50. > :56:52.full house. The Dragons dominating the territorial battle. Leinster
:56:53. > :57:03.being made to make more tackles and have missed more.
:57:04. > :57:15.In every statistic the Dragons have dominated. They have potentially
:57:16. > :57:21.left 14-21 points out that. Will they be happy? That is what will
:57:22. > :57:27.have been talked about before the game, horrible conditions, you want
:57:28. > :57:36.to be playing rugby, dominating possession and territory. There will
:57:37. > :57:42.be frustration. They have played rugby in the right areas and had
:57:43. > :57:48.three Tansey 's disallowed. They could have been... This game could
:57:49. > :57:53.have been dead and buried. Poor defensive error. Those things have
:57:54. > :58:01.given Leinster hope. If the Dragons could cut out those errors they will
:58:02. > :58:09.be fine. They will be delighted with the start. Great start. Great game.
:58:10. > :58:17.No shortage of skill in atrocious conditions. It showed a well coached
:58:18. > :58:22.approach. In this area in these conditions you tried to play for a
:58:23. > :58:29.picked and goal. The outside clean is very important. Lens do have to
:58:30. > :58:35.fold because they go the same way. Tovey and Hewitt are highlighted
:58:36. > :58:42.because it is on his core when they the other way. It is bent. It was
:58:43. > :58:47.highlighted against Hewitt. Adam Warren helps that because there is a
:58:48. > :58:53.disconnect between McFadden and bent which allows him time to squeeze in.
:58:54. > :59:00.Leinster despite inexperience fought back and Luke McGrath showed a clean
:59:01. > :59:04.pair of heels to the Dragons defence but it was a Dragons defensive lapse
:59:05. > :59:08.that allowed him a clear run to the line. Both nines are scooting around
:59:09. > :59:18.in difficult conditions around the rock. It is from a turnover. You get
:59:19. > :59:25.a bit of disorganisation. Landman comes out. He is late getting back
:59:26. > :59:30.in. In the system they defend Landman is supposed to jam in on the
:59:31. > :59:36.nine. He has to hold his ground but Landman has to jam in. He is too
:59:37. > :59:44.late. He should be there to make the contingency tackle. Later when he
:59:45. > :59:51.sneaks again he does the right thing, he jams in and he's not out
:59:52. > :59:55.that attack. That was one of the rare forays Leinster have had into
:59:56. > :00:01.the Dragons 22. Intense pressure from the Dragons. Nearly scored once
:00:02. > :00:12.and denied. The right decisions? The first knock-on we see here, I
:00:13. > :00:22.think it is the right call. I think it comes off Pretorius last but that
:00:23. > :00:26.is my opinion. When we are having to watch it six times and we are still
:00:27. > :00:29.undecided, you can't help but feel we should go with the attacking
:00:30. > :00:36.team. I applaud the Dragons by not playing. This is more of a clear-cut
:00:37. > :00:47.one. Very unlucky on the bounce. That has come off a Leinster hand.
:00:48. > :00:55.Even if the Dragons grounded, it would have been knock-on. Both
:00:56. > :01:00.times, the TMO liberated a long time. You applaud good positive
:01:01. > :01:05.play. There is another incident as well with the Dragons having failed
:01:06. > :01:12.to capitalise on having some real concerted pressure, five metres out
:01:13. > :01:16.of Leinster's line. The referee has warned them, given two penalties and
:01:17. > :01:22.Dragons fell into the same trap. They prospect. That was great
:01:23. > :01:28.defensive play by Leinster. Sean Holley, you have been looking at the
:01:29. > :01:35.Leinster defensive line tonight. The line-out will be important, Leo
:01:36. > :01:44.Cullen is widely and he would have known that. On A+ line, Telegraph
:01:45. > :01:53.thing is a dry. Hit his arm which is illegal but not picked up on this
:01:54. > :01:59.case and they turn it over. " Again. He planes the arm in the egg, this
:02:00. > :02:03.is illegal. He warns Leinster but then the pressure is on Eliot. It is
:02:04. > :02:09.and are thrilled and they turn it over. As I said, when they do get
:02:10. > :02:19.the line-out right the label and the Lyn Jones and Kingsley Jones to book
:02:20. > :02:24.their poison. -- put under pressure. Two props, a second row and it is a
:02:25. > :02:28.walkover for Jason Tovey. They got their just rewards in the end.
:02:29. > :02:32.Ashton Hewitt is having a storm. We were talking about Hallam Amos at
:02:33. > :02:37.the top of the programme but it is the other winger who has been
:02:38. > :02:41.highlighting his talents. The Dragons are really playing despite
:02:42. > :02:43.the conditions. Here is a taste of what else is coming your way on BBC
:02:44. > :02:52.television this weekend. Sport Wales 's next BBC Two Wales
:02:53. > :02:55.when we will be taking the temperature ahead of the Six
:02:56. > :03:02.Nations. Everyone tells me about the Passion of it. It has been hyped up
:03:03. > :03:07.to the press. This is Sam Warburton's fifth visit here. We
:03:08. > :03:12.will have a slight advantage going into the Six Nations. The Ospreys
:03:13. > :03:16.had their wings clipped in Europe last weekend and it is about the
:03:17. > :03:21.pros well for them now as they look to climb the table. They face
:03:22. > :03:26.Glasgow on Sunday. Then later that evening we have the Scrum V Six
:03:27. > :03:31.Nations special. We look forward to your's best tournament. We will
:03:32. > :03:40.assess the prospects of Six Nations and find out what makes Shaun
:03:41. > :03:45.Edwards angry. The only time I will shout at a player is if they didn't
:03:46. > :03:51.give 100%. Shaun Edwards deaths there is
:03:52. > :03:54.terrifying! I won't ask you about that or it will bring back some bad
:03:55. > :04:00.memories. I was at the laws of the Six Nations on Wednesday. Joe
:04:01. > :04:04.Schmidt said Wales were favourites, Eddie Jones said Wales are the
:04:05. > :04:13.favourites. Warren Gatland said Ireland are the favourites. It is
:04:14. > :04:20.just great isn't it? I think Wales are favourites, they are capable of
:04:21. > :04:24.winning the Six Nations. But there are five other teams there. All the
:04:25. > :04:30.ingredients are there for wonderful Six Nations. We have coaches vying
:04:31. > :04:37.for the Lions places, we have got a Jones in charge of England. Joe
:04:38. > :04:42.Schmidt is in Ireland. All bets are off. We're going to have a cracker.
:04:43. > :04:47.You have got me excited now. Let's go over to Martyn Williams. We
:04:48. > :04:52.talked about some of the coaches, France and England have got new man
:04:53. > :04:58.at the helm. Wales, the same coaching setup for eight years with
:04:59. > :05:01.no changes in personnel whatsoever. Very consistent in terms of
:05:02. > :05:07.personnel and playing squad. Does that give them an advantage? I think
:05:08. > :05:15.so. It gives them Mahut advantage. Warren Gatland and his managing
:05:16. > :05:20.teams since 2008 have a winning record of 75%. They have got a group
:05:21. > :05:24.of players who have been there done that. There is no disharmony in the
:05:25. > :05:30.camp. They are in a great place. The World Cup, we've is dated they
:05:31. > :05:33.didn't get to the semifinals but not the dust has settled it was a
:05:34. > :05:37.fantastic effort. They are in a really good place. A couple of
:05:38. > :05:41.injuries. Scott Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Webb. But when you
:05:42. > :05:48.look at Gareth Davies, Jonathan Davies is back. Liam Williams is
:05:49. > :05:52.back. He is playing this weekend. Wales and in a good place going into
:05:53. > :06:01.the Six Nations. They benefit from the extended season of clap. Are you
:06:02. > :06:09.nice and warm in the studio, Brian! -- they would have worked really
:06:10. > :06:13.hard over the last six or seven days. They don't play until weeks
:06:14. > :06:18.and they is a long wait. They went to Ireland pre-World Cup and
:06:19. > :06:23.outmuscled island in that match. I expect them to do the same. Ireland
:06:24. > :06:29.are really hits with injuries. If they get a win out in Dublin, he got
:06:30. > :06:34.three home games. A couple of unknown quantities with England and
:06:35. > :06:39.France and new coaches. I can't look any further than Wales at the
:06:40. > :06:46.moment. Excellent stuff. We can go pitch side now, Phil Steele is
:06:47. > :06:51.talking to Stuart Davies. The man who scored on his debut in Dublin in
:06:52. > :06:56.1972. You have sent money will be available for signings for the
:06:57. > :07:02.coaches, can you give me any indication when that might be' many
:07:03. > :07:09.is available. Lyn Jones knows what he is working with. He has secured
:07:10. > :07:13.some places -- players. How important is it you wearing that
:07:14. > :07:17.semifinal, quarterfinal of the Challenge Cup to keep the season
:07:18. > :07:22.boiling for you? The Challenge Cup has been good for us. We have
:07:23. > :07:28.enjoyed the competition this year. It is a good focus for us. That
:07:29. > :07:32.competition is Goodfellas. We are enjoying it. It is also important
:07:33. > :07:39.that we back it up with performances like we had in the first half the
:07:40. > :07:40.night. Dragons to win? I hope so. Let's go back to our commentary
:07:41. > :07:53.team. You got a glimpse of the experience
:07:54. > :08:01.Leinster have brought on. Ian Madigan and Richardt Strauss. One or
:08:02. > :08:15.two clean shirts as well. One of them is being worn by Jordi Murphy.
:08:16. > :08:44.That looks like a knock-on to me then. That looked like a knock-on.
:08:45. > :08:56.Swapped over from the other side, the touch judge. It is a strong
:08:57. > :09:17.looking bench. Hoping they are a little bit cold, little bit stiff.
:09:18. > :09:25.Adam Byrne making his full debut. The only other game was as
:09:26. > :09:31.replacement against Connacht three years ago. Having a quiet evening
:09:32. > :09:38.and that right-wing. Madigan, a lovely little kick. Beautifully
:09:39. > :09:41.weighted by Ian Madigan. He saw Jason Tovey in the first task doing
:09:42. > :09:48.something similar and that is a belter.
:09:49. > :09:57.That is what Madigan brings, he is a great footballer, great vision. He
:09:58. > :10:04.is the huge talent. He has got all the tricks.
:10:05. > :10:05.Great hands by Peter Dooley to keep the ball for Leinster. Maloney and
:10:06. > :10:30.pressure. Madigan. This is where all the action has
:10:31. > :10:34.spent. Anybody down the far hand will have a stiff neck by the end of
:10:35. > :10:38.the evening. This is where the Dragons were attacking in the first
:10:39. > :10:53.half and Leinster have started in the same vein in the second.
:10:54. > :11:04.So far, the Dragons defence has been good.
:11:05. > :11:11.The Dragons had to work hard for their points in the first half and
:11:12. > :11:31.Leinster having to do the same at the beginning of the second.
:11:32. > :11:38.Nic Cudd looking for the turnover, he has had so many this season. Not
:11:39. > :11:48.this time. A good tackle by Adam Warren.
:11:49. > :11:56.Plenty of ball, Leinster. Not really going anywhere. Dragons failing to
:11:57. > :11:59.get any pressure on the ball. 24 phases, incredible. Good disciplined
:12:00. > :12:06.by the Dragons. Te'o breaking the tackle, he is a
:12:07. > :12:24.handful. 16 and a half stone of him. They are still on or around the 22.
:12:25. > :12:30.The Dragons are happy if they stay there. But they do concede.
:12:31. > :12:35.One or two things would have happened. One of the Dragons was
:12:36. > :12:39.going to win the ball, when the penalty. Or they were going to give
:12:40. > :12:51.away the penalty. Fantastic organisation by the Dragons. Great
:12:52. > :13:11.reorganisation. We will have another look at that one.
:13:12. > :13:24.After five minutes, pretty met with ball in their hands, 27 favours by
:13:25. > :13:27.the end -- seizes by the end, the result is a shot at goal for
:13:28. > :13:46.McFadden. Chipset over. The first points go to
:13:47. > :13:56.Leinster. That is how they want to work it in the seminar. This is what
:13:57. > :14:01.Madigan brings you. Sometimes you just need to the division and that
:14:02. > :14:09.is what Leinster do so well. Get them on the front foot. It led to
:14:10. > :14:17.that 24 phases and the 3-point. Just speaking to Kingsley Jones, the wind
:14:18. > :14:23.changes direction a lot. They chose to go against it in the first half.
:14:24. > :14:44.With it, sorry, in the first hour. He was hoping it might change.
:14:45. > :14:55.That is very judged kick. He is a very good kicker of the ball. That
:14:56. > :15:00.was placed. A real opportunity now for the Dragons to put pressure on
:15:01. > :15:13.Leinster. A great kick by Carl Meyer. Just gives you the
:15:14. > :15:15.opportunity... They can force Leinster to throw to
:15:16. > :15:27.the back. Hallam Amos had that first
:15:28. > :16:04.blistering run in the first half. Richardt Strauss driven offered by
:16:05. > :16:08.his team-mate. Lovely work by Pretorius and good hands by Jason
:16:09. > :16:14.Tovey. He belted that at Madigan. I think he was in shock when he saw
:16:15. > :16:45.that coming at him. That is one area of the pitch... It
:16:46. > :16:56.is getting boggy and Bob year. -- boggier. It is a night for cough
:16:57. > :17:03.free rather than pints. All Pina coladas if you are Jonathan Davies
:17:04. > :17:10.because he is in Barbados! And I am sure he is thinking of us as well!
:17:11. > :17:14.He's thinking of us and laughing. It is really picked up again. Clever
:17:15. > :18:01.play from the Dragons. Mayer judges it and not quite sure
:18:02. > :18:06.what that was meant to be. The blind pass wasn't needed by Kirchner, he
:18:07. > :18:13.had two men outside him. That is the half chance for Leinster. Luckily,
:18:14. > :18:24.we were waxing lyrical about Carl Meyer's kicking. Jason Tovey is
:18:25. > :18:28.covering. I don't know what Brok Harris would've done. A little let
:18:29. > :18:35.off for the Dragons. Elliott Leavey and Byrne there. I'm sure Brok
:18:36. > :18:45.Harris would have said it did debrief to get them. In conditions
:18:46. > :18:55.like this, those little nudges, put it long put it in the air.
:18:56. > :18:57.Not exactly a game of two halves. It is a game of one half as we're
:18:58. > :19:27.looking at it. That is a steal. Good turnover by
:19:28. > :19:30.Leinster. It is one of those occasions, Hallam Amos has done well
:19:31. > :19:35.to beat the first man that he has lost his support players. That is
:19:36. > :20:11.unlucky for Hallam Amos. I hope they got a replacement ball
:20:12. > :20:29.handy because that one has gone way over the stand.
:20:30. > :20:36.After a long period of defending early, the Dragons can only concede
:20:37. > :20:43.a penalty to stop what is in store this time around? This is where the
:20:44. > :20:50.centre of Leinster's attack is based.
:20:51. > :21:15.It is going through a lot of hard work. A clever kick by Madigan
:21:16. > :21:20.almost and it is a kick for nothing because advantage was being played.
:21:21. > :21:26.Initially, the Dragons did well to stop the driving. Matthew Screech
:21:27. > :21:31.competed in the air they didn't overcommit. He waited until the men
:21:32. > :21:36.came down. Elliott Dee little bit enthusiastic. Marius Mitrea has
:21:37. > :21:42.penalised him for coming in the side. Look at those boots. You have
:21:43. > :21:49.got to be good to wear them. 25 caps worth. I think he's a real
:21:50. > :22:10.class player. A good drive on. They have split up
:22:11. > :22:15.the Dragons. Right up to the try line.
:22:16. > :22:20.It is a matter of inches now for Leinster. Can the Dragons get bodies
:22:21. > :22:34.underneath the ball? Here comes the next surge. This one
:22:35. > :22:40.looks better. Maloney. No, he is held up. The Dragons have managed to
:22:41. > :22:48.keep them at bay, just. So difficult. You have to go for the
:22:49. > :22:56.ball when they are carrying. Couple of injuries in the meantime.
:22:57. > :23:01.They need every single man they can. Jason Tovey is the one who has
:23:02. > :23:11.stayed down. So, let's see what happened to Jason
:23:12. > :23:27.Tovey. Brave Jason Tovey against the six
:23:28. > :23:35.foot six, 16 and a half stone second row. That is the time when, the low
:23:36. > :23:41.physics really, knocking a man that big back, he must of had a knock to
:23:42. > :23:47.the head or neck. He looks a bit dazed. Blood in the nose. Jason
:23:48. > :23:53.Tovey struggling. Phil Steele has company. Newport Rugby club and went
:23:54. > :23:59.Dragons legend here, Jason Forster. You've got the lanyard of staff
:24:00. > :24:04.around your neck. On match days and a gold round of the hospitality
:24:05. > :24:06.boxes with some of the layers who aren't involved and meet some of the
:24:07. > :24:14.sponsors which is part and parcel of today's rugby. Playing at all
:24:15. > :24:18.yourself? I put my boots are now and again fatality things. On occasion,
:24:19. > :24:25.not too much. Especially in conditions like this. I can pick and
:24:26. > :24:29.choose. The Dragons to hang on here? The looking for a response after
:24:30. > :24:34.last week's performance will stop they have had two tries disallowed
:24:35. > :24:44.but they add up. Great to hear from you on Scrum V. A big favourite down
:24:45. > :24:49.here. He was a nightmare to play against! I have had a couple of
:24:50. > :24:56.battles with him over the years. A great player.
:24:57. > :25:17.This is real pressure now from Leinster. Ben Te'o. They have
:25:18. > :25:22.dropped it. Here come the Dragons. All they needed was the speed on the
:25:23. > :25:30.outside but it wouldn't come. In the end, McFadden found the kick.
:25:31. > :25:34.Difficult to deal with. Excellent work by Adam Lyth.
:25:35. > :26:26.Kirchner is covering. A great pass. Great play from McFadden. He came
:26:27. > :26:32.over from the left wing to help his full-back. Dan Leavy to Madigan but
:26:33. > :26:39.there is a whole can't be far wing. No way is he going to get anywhere
:26:40. > :26:49.near that one. All Leinster are hammering at the
:26:50. > :26:53.line. Great turnover from Nic Cudd. Sometimes you get penalised for this
:26:54. > :26:59.if there is a ruck above you which Leinster will say bidders. He has
:27:00. > :27:06.got away with one there. Great technique. He knows is a lot smaller
:27:07. > :27:18.so he goes low. He's got away with that one.
:27:19. > :27:27.They can't get out of the 22. Nic Cudd wins the ball. Jason Tovey, he
:27:28. > :27:35.put a little check-in again and it comes to nothing. They give the ball
:27:36. > :27:39.back to Leinster, really. Struggling to get out of their half but still
:27:40. > :27:41.in the lead. Their defence has been pretty solid, good discipline as
:27:42. > :27:58.well. Benjamin comes on to replace Nick
:27:59. > :28:05.Crosswell. There's another one who is on a conveyor belt of opensides.
:28:06. > :28:16.Fantastic for Wales Under-20s. The real dynamic player, James Benjamin.
:28:17. > :28:22.Elliott Dee, Ashton Hewitt, they are all former Under-20s in pretty much
:28:23. > :28:34.the same team. Just finding their way through to first-team rugby.
:28:35. > :28:44.REFEREE: everyone is doing what they want. Let's restart. Everybody?
:28:45. > :28:47.Let's work everybody. Time on. It has since been the most
:28:48. > :28:53.successful times in recent times for the Dragons. They have got some real
:28:54. > :28:57.good youngsters. Financially, can't compete with the big teams but
:28:58. > :29:21.they've got some real young talent. It is hammering down now. It hasn't
:29:22. > :29:28.stopped all game, the rain. But now it is really checking it down.
:29:29. > :29:35.I was going to say there is nobody out on the open terraces but I am
:29:36. > :29:43.wrong. There are brave few behind the Dragons posts. I would use
:29:44. > :29:46.another word apart from brave! You've got cover all around and you
:29:47. > :30:03.are in the open in the pouring rain. Madigan. A great tackle by Adam
:30:04. > :30:29.Hughes. The two props in the thick of it.
:30:30. > :30:38.Leinster making a game of it at the moment. Into the final quarter. It
:30:39. > :30:47.is a one's scored game. Leinster have been holding all the aces in
:30:48. > :30:49.the second half. Dragons now they are going to have long periods of
:30:50. > :31:15.defending. Good option. Leave in a bit of
:31:16. > :31:24.space. -- V. Tired bodies for the Dragons. McGrath uses forwards first
:31:25. > :31:50.up, Dominic Ryan. Only conceded three last time. This
:31:51. > :32:04.is looking ever more dangerous. Te'o stands his ground.
:32:05. > :32:11.It is the Dragons' turned to have the possession -- to let Leinster
:32:12. > :32:23.have the possession and concentrate on the defending. Strauss is almost
:32:24. > :32:34.over the try line. He does not have the ball down yet. There it is.
:32:35. > :32:42.McGrath leaves it to delay. Heavy artillery first from Leinster. Dan
:32:43. > :32:53.Leavy weights, does not get that far. Cannot get his hand on it.
:32:54. > :32:59.McFadden drops off. The forwards not releasing at any time soon. Penalty
:33:00. > :33:04.advantage being played. Knocked on. It will come back for the penalty.
:33:05. > :33:15.Relief for the Dragons' fans will turn to disappointment.
:33:16. > :33:24.REFEREE: Offside. Great effort by both teams. Going through so many
:33:25. > :33:31.phases. The Dragons will not read any defence work for the next few
:33:32. > :33:36.weeks. Just when you think there is a gap, suddenly they will scramble
:33:37. > :33:46.across. Dragons look as if they are tiring a bit. Leinster have 84%
:33:47. > :33:51.possession in the second half. To ask the Dragons to keep it going is
:33:52. > :34:00.asking a lot. They have to try to steal less ball. Though somebody up.
:34:01. > :34:01.They do not. They tried to find the drive. They have not managed to do
:34:02. > :34:21.so. That is brilliant billions from the
:34:22. > :34:28.Dragons. Absolutely brilliant from the Dragons. That could be the game
:34:29. > :34:34.changer. I thought they should gamble and put somebody up to steal
:34:35. > :34:44.the ball. Working so hard in defence. That was great work. They
:34:45. > :34:54.sacked the drive earlier, in fairness. Against Benjamin who has
:34:55. > :35:00.come off the bench. He is in there. Brilliant from Leinster. Giving you
:35:01. > :35:13.such a lift. A simple change by Leinster. Jeremy Loughman comes on
:35:14. > :35:21.to make his debut. Tadhg Beirne in his fourth game is the replacement.
:35:22. > :35:27.On the other side, 174 games between Ulster and Leinster. One scrum-half
:35:28. > :35:36.replaces the other and takes over the captaincy.
:35:37. > :35:54.That is a great run by Benjamin. Excellent defence from the Dragons.
:35:55. > :36:02.Perfect exit strategy. Brilliant. Benjamin exposed. That is down to
:36:03. > :36:08.the Dragons and how solid the scrum was and allows it to get off the
:36:09. > :36:12.back and a great kick from Tovey. A huge passage of play. For Leinster
:36:13. > :36:17.to have all of that ball and that territory and not to come away with
:36:18. > :36:25.any points, that could be a huge momentum swing for the Dragons. Te'o
:36:26. > :36:46.very dangerous. It is going to be a Dragons scrum.
:36:47. > :36:56.He has called that early for me. That seemed to be going forward. It
:36:57. > :37:02.is all the Dragons could do. Throw bodies at balls and tackles. Work
:37:03. > :37:15.themselves into the ground. He has had the massive game. He is going
:37:16. > :37:30.off. Going back for the visit of the top of the table team.
:37:31. > :37:44.They will be coming down in their hordes. The Six Nations on Sunday,
:37:45. > :38:27.play in Wales. Good luck to the lads. -- playing England.
:38:28. > :38:36.Interesting call. How often do you see when EA team have all of the
:38:37. > :38:43.possession and do not get over the line, decisions start to go their
:38:44. > :38:47.way, and this is going to be a huge kick for Jason Tovey. He does not
:38:48. > :38:50.have to be too the day. Make sure you get it off the park. Yes. Great
:38:51. > :39:19.cake. -- kick. Sport Wales will be amongst other
:39:20. > :39:21.things looking forward to the Six Nations on Sunday from the Liberty
:39:22. > :39:42.Stadium. Would you believe it? The Dragons
:39:43. > :39:45.after some great defending have found their way possibly within
:39:46. > :39:57.kicking range even on a filthy night like this. Yes. Amazing sometimes.
:39:58. > :40:02.Two penalties, a 50-50 decision, get down there. Leinster overeager. A
:40:03. > :40:13.great carry from Pretorius to get on the front foot. He is so effective
:40:14. > :40:18.over that ball. It is just the fine margins. The effort the Dragons
:40:19. > :40:29.pretend in their own 22 and defence, this is a huge kick.
:40:30. > :40:39.Jason Tovey wastes no time and delivers for the Dragons. That is 15
:40:40. > :40:48.for him. Importantly it gives them a little bit of breathing space going
:40:49. > :41:02.into the final ten minutes. Leinster making a change.
:41:03. > :41:14.Noel Reid coming on the wing and Peadar Timmins. Another debutant. In
:41:15. > :41:37.the front row. Just Oisin Heffernan who has not
:41:38. > :41:43.come on. Make them chase the game. Conditions are getting worse by the
:41:44. > :41:50.minute. Slippery conditions. It is amazing. They have been down just
:41:51. > :41:58.20% of the time. The scoreline for that period is pre-0. You have to
:41:59. > :42:06.take your chances. Get up into the Leinster backline's race and put
:42:07. > :42:18.them under pressure. That helps as well. Sloppy delivery. Trying to get
:42:19. > :42:23.them on the front foot. Madigan looking for a position. Hewitt needs
:42:24. > :42:47.to return. Just about got that one back in
:42:48. > :42:54.time. The ball presented back to Leinster. As they lose it it will
:42:55. > :42:59.have to go for a scrum. It is going to be that in the last ten minutes,
:43:00. > :43:11.sloppy and scrappy. The crowd are not happy.
:43:12. > :43:37.REFEREE: Body language text. OK. Thank you. We are checking.
:43:38. > :43:53.There is no harm at all. You cannot do that. Slow motion. There is no
:43:54. > :44:00.arm movement. I think that is a penalty.
:44:01. > :44:07.REFEREE: Did he use his arm? There is no arm, leading with the
:44:08. > :44:15.shoulder. There is no arm, leading with the shoulder.
:44:16. > :44:24.REFEREE: His arm is right back and it is shoulder first. It is so
:44:25. > :44:27.difficult for the players. You cannot grab around the neck to
:44:28. > :44:36.remove the player nowadays. You cannot fly in like that. He is
:44:37. > :44:46.running. He is flying. You cannot do that nowadays. He has taken him off
:44:47. > :45:04.his feet as well. REFEREE: On the back, but reckless.
:45:05. > :45:19.Yellow card. 11 white. Fergus McFadden does not have far to go. He
:45:20. > :45:26.is asking how he is supposed to clean him out, but you cannot just
:45:27. > :45:33.fly in with your shoulder like that. Mind you, a few thousand are not
:45:34. > :45:41.happy. They are not happy with the yellow. He does not want to be in
:45:42. > :45:50.that position anyway. McFadden has gone in early, Keane. I think it is
:45:51. > :45:58.a penalty but I would not see a yellow card. Can the Dragons see at
:45:59. > :46:10.home against 14 man Leinster over the final eight minutes?
:46:11. > :46:26.Charlie Davies has taken over from Pretorius after that. Cory Hill is a
:46:27. > :46:38.last minute replacement when Lewis tweaked a calf in the warm up, but
:46:39. > :46:40.he has shown up well. They do not need any heroics, the Dragons, just
:46:41. > :46:57.do the basics well. Charlie Davies will bring in Jason
:46:58. > :46:58.Tovey. Making the hard yards. Your basic error that gives an
:46:59. > :47:32.opportunity for Leinster. Good from Elliott D. I nearly said
:47:33. > :47:39.the wrong name. Just killing a bit of time. He has pretty bit of weight
:47:40. > :48:04.on! REFEREE: Time is up anyway. The
:48:05. > :48:08.majority of those 135 tackles have been in the second half. A gutsy
:48:09. > :48:15.effort from the Dragons in the second half. It has not been high on
:48:16. > :48:18.quality. In these conditions it has been all hands to the pump and
:48:19. > :48:32.Leinster have thrown everything at them.
:48:33. > :48:41.Ashton Hewitt, that try very early on. It seems ages ago. He has had
:48:42. > :48:50.the quieter second half but showed up in the first hour. A bit of
:48:51. > :49:02.juggling. -- first half. He is a talented young man. 21 in November.
:49:03. > :49:06.He missed the first game of the season and started the last ten. It
:49:07. > :49:13.helps build confidence when you get a run of games. Yes. He is very raw.
:49:14. > :49:22.You can see that in his possession sometimes. He has that one thing
:49:23. > :49:29.which we all crave, sheer speed. That is a key penalty that could be.
:49:30. > :49:34.Leinster with the chance to go down field and launch another attack.
:49:35. > :49:37.There is plenty of time. It is easy to see, but the front row need to be
:49:38. > :49:43.clean. 60 metres out in these conditions, let Leinster have the
:49:44. > :49:49.ball and let them try and do something. No need to play fun and
:49:50. > :50:02.games upfront. Keep it solid. And square. Not the longest kick in the
:50:03. > :50:04.world from Ian Madigan but it gives Leinster a tall old in the Dragons'
:50:05. > :50:19.half. Murphy does well. Peadar Timmins. Good tackle. The
:50:20. > :50:53.ball did not go forward, crucially. Noel Reid and midfield. Garry
:50:54. > :51:03.Ringrose is on the wing. Less than five minutes. Ryan almost up to the
:51:04. > :51:11.Dragons' 22. Lot of hard work to be done. They have done 76 minutes.
:51:12. > :51:21.This is the time for the crucial defending to hold out again. That
:51:22. > :51:35.might just have been aired. REFEREE: No advantage. Dominic Ryan
:51:36. > :51:43.was looking to latch. Looking for the off-load. Great defence from the
:51:44. > :51:48.Dragons. A few players stretching their calves, hands or knees. Fully
:51:49. > :51:50.understandable, the effort they have put into it, particularly
:51:51. > :52:19.defensively. Cory Hill is struggling at the last
:52:20. > :52:37.scrum. Scott Andrews is ready to come on. Cory Hill has put in a good
:52:38. > :52:50.shift. He is wearing eight but he is playing in the second row.
:52:51. > :52:58.He needs to get clued up, no mistakes, no penalties in the final
:52:59. > :53:31.three minutes, Scott Andrews. Distance is what Jason Tovey was
:53:32. > :53:42.looking for. Spotted him coming across. Brilliant following up. That
:53:43. > :53:52.is such a good effort. The pitch is heavy as it has been all season. The
:53:53. > :54:04.wind and rain and they have gotten downfield to put a tackle in. Still
:54:05. > :54:14.they do not give up. They deserve to win. Yes. A brilliant gig from
:54:15. > :54:21.Tovey. The cheese was phenomenal. They have been unsung heroes, Adam
:54:22. > :54:33.Hughes... The two centres have defended for their lives. Adam is
:54:34. > :54:45.leading the chase. Great defence. Cudd was diving on the ball. Copying
:54:46. > :54:52.of that effort, Man of the Match? It has been a difficult one. I think
:54:53. > :54:59.Brok Harris, 12-mac he was involved in, the handling movement, but for
:55:00. > :55:09.me that man the first half had that in these conditions, for a winger it
:55:10. > :55:16.is so difficult in these conditions. The ball has not really gone to his
:55:17. > :55:20.side. That is the Man of the Match. Tops it off with that tackle,
:55:21. > :55:24.assist, with Adam Hughes, right at the end of the game. Apologies to
:55:25. > :55:40.the forwards forgiving the Man of the Match to the winger.
:55:41. > :55:50.That kick by Jason Tovey so important. That 7-point gap. It
:55:51. > :55:53.means a converted try would only give Leinster a draw. Dragons are
:55:54. > :55:57.not thinking about conceding anything at the moment but the scrum
:55:58. > :56:00.comes out. They have won that penalty. Here is the chance to seal
:56:01. > :56:20.the deal. It is a dagger to Leinster's heart.
:56:21. > :56:32.At least Leinster have a losing bonus at the moment. Take the full
:56:33. > :56:56.minute. He is telling him there is 30 seconds of play after it.
:56:57. > :57:03.Jason Tovey eyes up the posts and again puts the ball between them.
:57:04. > :57:08.That is a hammer blow for Leinster. It caps off a great performance by
:57:09. > :57:12.the Dragons and after all their efforts Leinster look of the they
:57:13. > :57:18.are going to come away empty-handed. What a great effort from the
:57:19. > :57:24.Dragons. Outstanding for the Dragons. You feel for Leinster....
:57:25. > :57:36.If they are going back to Dublin empty-handed. Seven victories in a
:57:37. > :57:42.row for Leinster. The Dragons have put a stop to that. In the wind and
:57:43. > :57:47.the rain and atrocious conditions, after a mauling in Europe last week
:57:48. > :57:53.the Dragons have stood up and being counted in the Pro12 this week. That
:57:54. > :57:59.is a tremendous performance and they deserve the applause of the fans who
:58:00. > :58:05.have braved the elements. That is an excellent victory for the Dragons.
:58:06. > :58:08.Two tries in the first half and dogged defence under pressure in the
:58:09. > :58:17.second and coming away with a couple of visual kicks and four points for
:58:18. > :58:22.a victory as well. Victory for the Dragons and Leinster's winning run
:58:23. > :58:33.comes to a halt. Tries early on from Jason Tovey and Ashton Hewitt. The
:58:34. > :58:37.Dragons win 22-13. You can see by the way you working
:58:38. > :58:42.gradually teenage other what it meant to the team. Massive. We
:58:43. > :58:49.needed confidence coming back into the league. Our run in the Challenge
:58:50. > :58:57.Cup has been really good. We have been down all week. We played in the
:58:58. > :59:04.right areas. Outstanding defence from the boys in the second half.
:59:05. > :59:09.Really good. For a winger to win Man of the Match in these conditions or
:59:10. > :59:15.something. More than I expected from maybe warming up. It is good to get
:59:16. > :59:20.involved. We kept our game despite the distance. Really happy. Think
:59:21. > :59:30.that allegiance. Enjoy the celebrations. -- congratulations.
:59:31. > :59:42.A richly deserved Man of the Match award. For Ashton Hewitt. Scarlets
:59:43. > :59:47.are way to Connacht tomorrow and a victory could take them more than
:59:48. > :59:56.one victory ahead of Leinster in those precious few weeks jostling
:59:57. > :00:04.for the top four. Throughout the half the Dragons leading the charge
:00:05. > :00:06.on many of those statistics. The territorial balance was slightly
:00:07. > :00:14.more equal in the second half than the first. The only important
:00:15. > :00:16.statistic is the scoreboard. The Dragons can be pleased with their
:00:17. > :00:47.effort. They should be. Leinster played a narrow attacking
:00:48. > :00:52.game. We talked about how the Dragons were willing to play rugby
:00:53. > :00:53.in the second half. It was all about the commitment and doggedness in
:00:54. > :01:09.defence. The Man of the Match rips the ball
:01:10. > :01:11.on the line four metres out. From what was possibly going to be the
:01:12. > :01:25.moment, James Benjamin had come on. Causing destruction, taking into
:01:26. > :01:29.ground for the crucial turnover. Fantastic by the Dragons tonight. We
:01:30. > :01:33.haven't got much time left. Give as a brief summary of how the Dragons
:01:34. > :01:37.will feel for the rest of the season. They are out of the
:01:38. > :01:41.reckoning of the top six. What will that victory do to boost their
:01:42. > :01:46.spirits? It is huge to them for the rest of the season. You don't become
:01:47. > :01:52.a bad team. They have had a thumping in Europe but they have come home
:01:53. > :02:01.tonight and when comfortable in tough conditions. They will take a
:02:02. > :02:06.lot of contest confidence from that. All the fixtures are coming at home.
:02:07. > :02:10.It is a big opportunity for them. Then turf fixtures for the Dragons
:02:11. > :02:16.bet they will be well up for it after the victory tonight. We have
:02:17. > :02:19.taken revenge in handsome fashion tonight against Leinster which has
:02:20. > :02:25.been a rain-soaked Rodney Parade. That is all we have time for. Sports
:02:26. > :02:28.Wales is next. They will be previewing the Six Nations and it is
:02:29. > :02:33.our turn on Sunday. It is the Scrum V scrum Six Nations special on
:02:34. > :02:34.Sunday night. At seven o'clock.