Leinster v Scarlets Scrum V Live Pro 12

We are six rounds into the Pro12 and for the table topping Scarlets, it

has been a case of the perfect six. What a start for the Scarlets.

Hadleigh Parks is away. And that is two out of two for the Scarlets.

This is Davies, to take the Scarlets to the top of the Pro12. And it is a

running from Van der Merwe from his own 22. It is struggling but it has

got there. The Scarlets have done more than enough. They have six wins

out of six. Round seven serves up a different challenge. Am away trip to

Dublin where the four times champions lie in wait. Yes, the big

guns are bad and there is a certain Johnny Sexton waiting on the bench

as well. Leinster have just crept into the play-off places for the

first time this season following their bonus point win over Treviso

last week. The Scarlets have already beaten them this campaign, back in

round four. Van der Merwe scored two tries on his debut. If they winter

night, they will chalk up their third consecutive victory over the

Irish province. Yes, good evening and welcome to the programme on a

massive night for the Scarlets as they go in search of seven wins from

seven. Shane Williams and Robert Jones are here to provide the expert

analysis. We have followed the Scarlets with real interest so far

this season. Europe is a week away. How vital is it that they continue

their winning ways quite a mark they have certainly been the form side in

the Pro12 at the moment. If you look at the selection, may be Wayne Pivac

is looking a little better the European competition in app however

they are still a good side and they said that has its work cut out

against a new 15 four Leinster. There are some very strong

international players in there. But with the confidence they are playing

with at the moment, why can't they go there and win? They are playing

with confidence and fluency at the moment. They had beaten Leinster

already, as we mentioned, in round four. Will that result have any

bearing on tonight 's game? Not a huge amount. It is a very happy

camper, they have momentum and a huge amount of confidence and they

believe that what they are doing is right moving forward. But this is a

difficult place to go and I think most people would not expect them to

come away with a victory but that takes a little pressure off and they

can go there and relax a little and tried to continue to play the way

they have done and get some momentum and it is an opportunity for these

young guys to go and prove themselves against the very best. It

is a tough place to go. Just one defeat in the last 13 four Leinster

there. Let's have a look at the team. 15 changes from the side that

beat Treviso. A very strong looking pack. Seven foot tall Devin Toner

will try and shore up what has been a creaky Leinster line out so far.

And that is a pretty formidable looking back row. Jonny Sexton may

be on the bench, as we have said, but they can still boast an all

international halfback pairing of Isaac Boss and Ian Madigan. Garry

Ringrose gets his first start in the centre. Andy Buckley looks pretty

tasty, with rookie Cian Kelleher making his debut alongside the

vastly its period Rob Kearney. There is strength in depth, a very strong

15 and the luxury of Ben Te'o and Jonny Sexton on the bench. That is

great when you are coaching a team like that with such stars in your

midst. You can change the whole 15, as they have, and they still have

some amazing players to come back in as well. It is an absolute luxury

and you can see the Leinster mean business tonight. It is a hell of a

back row. And they mean business. It is a lovely luxury to have. It is an

all international back row. A very strong Leinster. Let's have a look

at the Scarlets. A bit of a mix and match selection. Ken Owens makes way

for Emyr Phillips. Jake Ball and Lewis Rawlins continue in the second

row. The back row remains unchanged. James Davies run of the match for

two weeks running. -- man of the match. Behind the scrum, Gareth

Davies makes his first started since the World Cup. Steven Shingler is

injured. Regan King has been rested. Hadleigh Parks moves to inside

centre. Michael Tagicakibau is in the back three. He is a bit of a

trace coring machine in a Welsh jersey. It is more than that. I

think he developed as a player. A lot more maturity in the way he was

controlling games, alongside a very confident Dan Biggar. That will be

key today. He is alongside a young outside half and he has two sort of

nurse him along as much as he can. If he's going to be the catalyst to

success for the Scarlets, which he is capable of being, it is is

all-round game that will be vital. He showed signs during the World Cup

that he is developing that nicely. James Davies has been a catalyst. He

has been told he is too small to play international rugby. He has

been fantastic over the last couple of weeks and he is up against a real

test in Sean O'Brien tonight. He has been doing the business week in week

out for the Scarlets. He was phenomenal last season. He was not

selected in the squad but he has still the confidence to play like he

has this season. He's only going to get better. He is a young manatee is

playing out of his skin at the moment. He will need a big game

against a massive back row tonight. You will have heard the blast of the

referee 's whistle. We can cross over to our commentary team.

Thank you very much. And another Schroer Brust of the whistle to

indicate the first penalty of the evening with less than 30 seconds on

the clock -- shrill blast. I wonder if they fancy a long-range shot at

goal. It is a beautiful, balmy evening in Dublin. Conditions are

perfect but Dan Jones decides to go for the corner and try and set up a

line-out inside the 22. It is absolutely perfect for playing rugby

tonight. Absolutely. There was a bit of a wind during the day but that

has died away. You could not have it more perfect than it is now. It is

always the way it is in Dublin. It is teeing up to be an absolute

cracking game. Leinster with all the changes, all the World Cup stars

coming back. The Scarlets said are full of confidence. One of the most

confident there, James Davies, with ball in hand, now releases to Gareth

Davies, back from his Rugby World Cup exploit and Michael Tagicakibau

out in from the left wing. The Scarlets mix it up between forwards

and backs. The ball recycled to John Barclay. Captain this evening, as is

his opposite number, Jamie Heaslip. Jake Ball with the carry. The

Scarlets have a very enterprising start up to within six or seven

metres of the Leinster try line. Slowed down and turned over.

Textbook work by James Tracy, who is starting his first game in Leinster

colours, the hooker. He did extremely well there. He really is.

A great talent coming through. Getting his first start. But is one

of the things the Scarlets have done all season so far, the six games,

retain possession. Leinster will really be targeting that to be

something where they can disrupt the Scarlets.

And there was the hooker over the ball. The Scarlets could not recite

it might occasion. The touch judge has seen something as well. He

called Leighton Hodges over. In fact, they are going to go for the

TMO. It is a Scarlets player with a Grabban they retaliation from one of

the Leinster players with a possible punch or a swing. Let's see what

Seamus Flannery makes of it. It'll interesting to see what we see. When

they find the appropriate bit of video. The crowd are getting

restless because there is a big screen in the right-hand corner,

where everybody is looking, but all they are seeing is what they are

seeing in front of you. I just don't think he has it the right item. The

touch judges fairly convinced he saw something.

Well, Rob Evans looking for the clear out and getting a clip around

the year for his troubles. Dominic Ryan took exception. But it just

considers whether you -- matters whether you consider that handbags.

A bit silly. Completely unnecessary. There did not seem to be anything

wrong with the hit. We will just see how much the referee makes of it. It

was an open hand, not a fist. That will go in his favour in mitigation.

Certainly not a sin binning offence. A Rush of blood from Dominic Ryan

and it is just as well he kept as much presence of mind to keep that

Palm open. Yes, as we were saying in the World Cup, there was a things

now that they are just black and white about. And if you close the

hand, that is it. They just have to move on. After the hard work of

James Tracy in particular and his forwards, they will not be so happy

that has been given away by Dominic Ryan and put them back under

pressure. A great drive on from the Scarlets line. Deliberate collapse

from Dominic Ryan that time. He could be back in the referee 's bad

books. Rob Evans carries on towards that try line. Jamie he's just about

hold him up. The ball is back for the Scarlets again. Dummy runner,

allowing Gareth Davies to have the snipe. Well covered by the Leinster

defence. This is a very intelligent and a very confident start from the

Scarlets. Again Rob Evans involved. Almost a to the try line. Gareth

Davies weights. And Parks gets over for the try. That is superbly worked

by the Scarlets. Dominic Ryan did pull it down. The referee pulling it

-- playing advantage. Noel Reid fell off the tackle. From the effort put

in by the rest of the Leinster forward, absolutely superb by the

Scarlets. This is what we have seen all season long so far. They have

great all retention. They fight so hard to get over the ball and get

the gain line going forward. And it paid off. Equally at home on the

winger in the centre and showing his worth on the straight all, the crash

ball. He gets the Scarlets on the scoreboard. Dan Jones as the

conversion. Thank you. Just let you know that I have spoken to Wayne

Pivac before the game on the pitch. He was saying about all the talk in

the changing rooms, they met in the changing room is a good hour before

the game, this was the game tonight that will that we'll see where we

are, in his words, in the season. That was a bit of a phoney war, the

first six, all the World Cup boys are back now. This is the match that

will show them where the Scarlets are the moment. And it is not a bad

start, is it is a mark in deed not. Rob Kearney, Zane Kirchner come Cian

Healy, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Jamie he's, Sean O'Brien, all back there

-- Jamie he's let. But a lot of experienced players as well. He has

not brought everyone back willy-nilly, he does still have the

mix of players there. Every body watching out for Gary Ringrose at

13, who is meant to be the next best thing in at 13. The crowd thought it

was at late tackle on Emyr Phillips -- by Emma Phillips on Isaac Boss.

No reaction from the touch judge. -- Emyr Phillips. He does seem a good

bit hurt though. He's taking his time. Five and a half minutes into

the game and this looks like the first time at Leinster are going to

get out of their half. Which is exactly the way the Scarlets will

want this game to be. Dead right, this is a great litmus test of where

they are in the season. They have done briefly so far but now the

testing starts. This is such a fortress for Leinster. Just one

defeat in the league in over a year. And that to the Dragons, back in

February. Tracy. That is a good drive on by Leinster. And the crowd

giving them the usual backing. And still going, still going up towards

the 22. This is going to be very difficult. They need to get some of

the forwards in there. What a drive. What is driving line-out from

Leinster. But is fully 30 metres and more and still they have retention.

And they have a penalty with the Scarlets forced to collapse it just

before the try line. You will hardly see a better driven line-out than

that. That was brilliant. Absolutely. I do not know what the

Scarlets were doing there. The defenders were out and there were

three or four guys outside the 15 yard line. And they were just one or

two men in the maul. Leinster whereof is the maul. Leinster

whereof is the good the bad going. I was very surprised at how long it

took them to ruck. Or they could do was give away the penalty. And that

is not surprising at all. They were so near the try line by the time he

collapse came along, it was gone to be a yellow card as well a penalty.

Absolutely, they could have rolled out the whole way over. He might say

he had to do what he had to do but in the situation they got themselves

in came from very poor defending. That was from the ten metre line to

within a couple of metres of the Scarlets try line. When it was

dragged down, the try line was begging and now it is a tough time

for the Scarlets, they have to defend a man short. Not just for

this line-out but for ten minutes. Dominic Ryan again the provider. And

this time it is a different breakaway. The Scarlets hold out the

first time but Isaac Boss has a goal, he is held up just short as

well. Right on that Scarlets try line. The Scarlets slow it down.

Could not tell if that was actually a planned move from Leinster or

whether it was good sense to split the maul by the Scarlets. Leinster

kept control kept concise and got going forward again. It looks like

they were just held up going over the line. Mike Ross leading the

splinter group. But that time, good defence from the Scarlets. They are

going to be missing Jake Ball 's 19 stone in a scrum. In fairness, if

any side I used to doing without players, it is the Scarlets. At one

stage in one of the first games, they had three men down on a yellow

card. And again any third or fourth game and they have still managed to

win those games. This is think they will each have to raise their game

in order to make up for their mistake. Leo Cullen, Leinster coach.

Wayne Pivac, alongside Stephen Jones and Byron Hayward. The Scarlets

trio. What an impact Stephen Jones has had. The play, everything about

the Scarlets backline has been absolutely positive. All of them

going forward and finding space. And scoring tries. They have been doing

it. Aaron Shingler steps up to join Lewis Rawlins in the Scarlets second

row. This is going to be a tough one to keep out. I cannot see on the far

side. Have they put one of the winners on the side of the scrum?

It was static initially. And now the Scarlets are doing a job. Jamie he's

let, the short ball to Noel Reid. Good tackle by Michael Tagicakibau.

Isaac Boss bundled over illegally. Jones thought the ball but it was

not. They will have to be careful not to give away another yellow.

First things first, the Scarlets did well in that scrum. Absolutely. A

bit of confidence they can draw from that and Leinster had to play that

ball. There was nothing illegal about what was going on in the front

row. Just gave away a B penalty. This is one thing they cannot do.

This is Leinster 's first foray into Scarlets half and they cannot have

it that every time they get up here they manage to get that scoreboard

ticking. Ian Madigan. His first appearance of the season for

Leinster. His hundredth game in the league. And he opens Leinster 's

account with a penalty. But under the circumstances, the Scarlets will

not be too displeased only to give away three. Absolutely not. Yellow

cards are costly but if they keep it down to penalties, they will aim to

get back down into Leinster 's half and stay there now, like they did

for the first five and a half minutes and made Leinster fight very

hard to get out of there. The first part of the plan, walk as slowly as

possible back to the halfway line. I think we will find a few shoelaces

opened later on. Aled Thomas ruck to John Barclay.

The Scarlets will be eager to keep all in hand for as long as possible.

What a great turnover by Sean O'Brien. That is what he does best.

So strong over the ball. So hard to shift once he gets his hands on it.

Noel Reid gets away from the first up tacklers. The Scarlets on the

back foot. Sean O'Brien started it all with that brilliant steel. Cian

Healy. Ian Madigan back against the grain.

It is far too long. Plenty of time for Tom Williams to gather. And be

awarded the clean catch. Tom Williams has had a couple of very

good outings for the Scarlets recently. He is on loan from the

Blues. Looking for a new contract next year. One of the players from

the Leinster point of view who will be very hungry, I was speaking to

Cian Healy 's parents on the way in, and they are very aware of the

competition he is having with Jack McGrath. Speaking a lot about he

wants to be stamping his authority back and making that spot his own,

both with Leinster and Ireland. He is on the bench tonight. As Leinster

look to build again. Devin Toner drops it. Backwards,

says Leighton Hodges. Leinster are still in possession.

This time, there is pressure. Dominic Ryan following up. Ringrose

leads it. Noel Reid and then Ian Madigan.

He will have to play that. And that is a bad recovery. Great recovery,

in fact. They always say, try and get the kicks into the other half

but that is as close as you can get. Billions considering what he had to

do, chasing back after it slip through his hands on the first

attempt. -- brilliant. Jonny Sexton. I wonder how long it will be until

he comes on this evening. I think we will see him quite early in the

second half. He will be keen to get some time under his belt. It is a

big week for all of these layers. Game time in the familiar

surroundings of club rugby is so important for them all. The Scarlets

deciding to stand off to prevent the drive. Leinster looking for wit. He

kept it in hand. Ian Madigan to Sean O'Brien. Jake Ball preparing to come

back on. The Scarlets will want to hold them out now. This could be

dangerous. 20 of numbers on the far side. Michael Tagicakibau with a

firm tackle on Dominic Ryan. That is what you get for not passing the

ball. Delaying a little too much. And they have it back as well. Good

work by the Scarlets forwards. Just what I got Tagicakibau 's tackle

deserved. I thought he hit him in the air.

Gareth Davies was a very long time. I am surprised at that. It would not

be a yellow card or anything that but you just cannot do that. He was

completely off the ground. He even got his bottom up in the air. Here

we go. Don't have the back row player out in the area where the

back should be. Took the wrong decision.

It is interesting to see, that last line, the Scarlets stepped off the

defence. I wonder was that what was meant to happen on the ten yard line

on the far side of the pitch because maybe someone just got it wrong.

Because it would have explained why there was nobody in veritable. As

soon as the contact was made, that was it. The drive was on. It was

Jake Ball, and he got his punishment. Again, the seven man

scrum starts off pretty solid and does a good job. It is a good

effort. Ian Madigan on the loop. Great ball acted on. A good tackle

by Gareth Owen. Very wet rat. That's very well read. A high tackle on

Isaac Boss. Another high tackle by Aaron Shingler on Heaslip. Michael

Tagicakibau has a bit of covering to do on the far side. Gareth Owen gets

in there first. Jake Ball, busting a gut to get back on the field. It'll

be the next break of play. What will happen in the meantime? A solid

tackle by Tom Williams. And again, the counter rucking by the Scarlets,

looking to get that ball back but Cian Healy has it. And now that high

tackle advantage is over. Leinster will have to use it and do some

thing with it. Good play by the Scarlets. Never let them sit

comfortable E.ON the ball. They really are battling at that

breakdown. This is good to be the battle ground for the day. We all

know the Scarlets love going through the phases and retaining possession.

Leinster have said this is the way distant ago but the Scarlets are not

going to get it all the way -- all their own way.

REFEREE: Six takes him offside. Discipline,

otherwise you might leave me with no option. He has cleaned him out, that

is all he has done. Time is off. Jake Ball comes off the field --

comes onto the field. Leinster to be honest with you had not performed at

Rockwell and they were vulnerable. It is a shoulder he got in there on

the arm of Ian Madigan. A bit of an unfair conflict -- contest in terms

of size but it is the game. The girls in the backs are very

delicate. We will see how he is when he comes to take the kick. Then he

will go back hero status with the fans. Just the one penalty conceded

during Jake Ball 's absence. Away to Leinster, that is not a bad outing

at all. A bad result for ten minutes in the sin bin. Isa Nacewa, water by

for the evening. Quite an experienced water boy.

Straight down the middle again from Ian Madigan. Leinster are back

within a point, halfway through the first half approaching. Not showing

any ill effects from the knock-on his head, God bless him. Shane

Williams was speaking in the studio about the quality of the Leinster

squad, and even with 15 changes, they have a handful of five or six

first-team players yet to come back on. Taken by Devin Toner.

Tracy was there. Collecting the free ball. Madigan missing out O'Brien.

Leinster are trying little bit too hard maybe to create something. Need

to be a bit more patient. Halfway through the first half. We mentioned

about Shane William is back in the studio, what did you make of the

first quarter? Obviously a fantastic start from the Scarlets and then

Leinster started getting control of the game. I think Jake Boss was a

bit hard done by to get the yellow. It could have been Rawlins. They've

kept themselves in the game. OK, they've conceded six points, but it

definitely could have been a lot worse. Positive start from both

teams. The Scarlets getting the early try, and Leinster have been a

very mean defence, only conceding six tries in the first six games of

the season. It will come into play more. The Scarlets still have the

upper hand here. They don't want to concede any points. Still wanting to

keep going and attack. Hadleigh Parkes, getting the hard yards. Jake

Ball doing well. Getting away Rob Evans. Dan Jones slotting it

through, the race is on. The race is won by Zane Kirchner, sorry, Rob

Kearney. I think Kearney looks like he has tweaked something. In the

World Cup, scoring a try, he did the same kind of thing. He hurt himself

as well. Looks like he's a bit uncomfortable. It doesn't look like

it's a bad one. Looks like it's uncomfortable at the moment from Rob

Kearney. Never discovered what a hamstring is myself, but I believe

it can be painful! Ask the wonderful Shane Williams what it's like.

The sliding tackle from Noel Reid. Rob Kearney on the far corner, just

departing, which will bring Ben Te'o onto the field. Will it be Kirchner

at the full-back now maybe? I think Ringrose will push out and Ben Te'o

will go to the front and Kirchner at full-back. That's the way they are

doing it. Ben Te'o is very influential in the centre as well,

from Auckland. Yes, a great strike rate for Leinster in scoring tries.

Apparently he has caught the eye of people back home, rugby league

people trying to get him back. He seems happy at Leinster at the

moment. In the second season with Leinster.

Good use of Emyr Phillips, keeping the defence honest. Absolutely. Both

sides are really challenging the defence. Leinster possibly forcing

it more than they should be. The Scarlets look a bit more honed in

their attack, always getting over the gain line every time. Jake Ball

clearing out for the ball to come back. James Davies slips it onto Rob

Evans who has had quite a feud carries this evening, the loosehead.

-- quite a few. Gareth Davies again getting behind

the defence and finding Barclay in support. And Gareth Owen. That's a

great try from the Scarlets. It's all down to the break of Gareth

Davies around the fringes, the support work and Gareth Owen with

the strike from nothing. The gap on the inside, that's where they found

space back inside. The defence getting lazy, not keeping hunting

and then come in the tackle, getting their hands free and get in the

tackle, getting their hands free and getting the pass away. Superb play.

His first of the season for the Scarlets. A late 27th birthday

present, which he celebrated yesterday. The Leinster defence were

completely unawares. Stephen Jones may not be showing it but inside I

bet he's smiling. I would say so. The Scarlets have to take advantage.

Clearly the Leinster defence, the lads have not tuned in, there are

gaps, not as honed as it normally is. You expect them to tighten up as

the game goes on, so they have to take advantage while they can.

Daniel Jones started the first view of the season and then he saw

Shingler wearing the number ten shirt getting a toe injury which put

him out. The 19-year-old is back in the firing line. Just failing to add

Mac the extras from the touchline. But the Scarlets, two to the good

oss. Let's go to the studio and hear from Robert Jones stop -- Robert

Jones. Playing with better tempo, the Scarlets. I said beforehand,

it's a tough place to go. Up against a Leinster team who look a bit

rusty, like they haven't quite come together. At the moment, the

Scarlets are certainly taking advantage of it and playing some

good quality rugby. Thanks, Rob. Yes, they look like a team who have

gelled, comfortable playing together, winning six from six.

Every opportunity they have had, they have taken, which is what you

want against a team who have not settled clearly. Boss bundle offer

it. A little bit harsh maybe because tea pushed another player back on

top of him. Changing, the way rugby is now, the scrum-half is going to

play-the-ball. You can't interfere. As long as they play it, not just

wait there. That is the sneaky scrum-half 's for you! -- halves. I

know you are painting the picture, and I've got it. I know where you

are coming from, OK? So, Leinster, sticking to their plan. Trying to

get points every time they down in the Scarlets territory, from the

boot of Madigan. And so far it has worked every time, three from three.

Another fine kick from Madigan, back to 12-9. Let's hear from the

Scarlets camp. This is a great away performance, soaking up the pressure

and then striking when you got the chance, is that what you talked

about before the game? Not really, we talked about defence. It's

important if you want to win here, the defence has to be good. The boys

are working hard at the moment. Just lacking a bit of discipline. How

pleasing is it that when you got in the red zone, you have struck twice?

Yes, we wanted to take chances. Gareth Edwards doing well in his

first start back for us. When we have had the ball we have been going

well but we are indisciplined again unfortunately. Keep it going.

Cheers. Now, then, what are they looking at this time pasta in the

other game, Connacht are leading Treviso 6-5. -- this time? It is an

arm on his shoulder. If he is crouching, I think it's fine. Yellow

yes, nothing wrong. High tackle, 11th. How high do you have to be

when you are crouching with your knee off the ground? Still a high

tackle! That's a bit harsh. Looked like a brilliant chase and a superb

hit. It is very important, but it is a physical game, after all. That's

why we love it so much. It is going at it a bit soft. That was a bit

harsh, nothing wrong with it, it was a superb chase and a great hit. Ten,

stay where you are. For once, the Leinster line-out

falters. Dan Jones, Parkes, a steady influence behind the Scarlets. Rob

Evans with the pick and go, straight at Toner. Again, slowly but surely,

the Scarlets getting over the gain line. Just getting their noses in

front, a bit of momentum. Shingler, hit by two back row opponents. The

ball, recycled by the Scarlets, good hands to James Davies. Up to be

Leinster 22. Gareth Davies under pressure. Very good hands, Lewis

Rawlins. Changing direction, changing the point of attack,

keeping the defence guessing. They will settle for a penalty from

there. To slow. It was a good decision to go down the blindside,

everybody expecting myself was a regimented go again but they saw

that Leinster had folded in and there was nearly two against one.

Healy doing some great work but a little bit tired and he stayed

offside Elizabeth too long. A great decision either Scarlets -- a little

bit too long. One thing possibly, it will be in the back of their minds,

they have two tries but it still only a 3-point game. Absolutely, the

only thing counting against them at the moment, every time Leinster have

been in their half, they have got three points and if they can just

get the discipline so that if they venture in again, they behave

themselves, the game will be much more exciting from their point of

view. We have spoken ones about blocking

off the ball, OK? If I see it, I'm going to penalise, OK?

A big kick, this one, for than Jones. -- for Dan Jones. That's very

nicely done indeed. The young outside-half. Scarlets, up to 15.

Should be a big concentration zone for the next few minutes for the

Scarlets. Receiving, expecting Leinster to hit it deep. The

Scarlets wants to get it out of their half. -- want to get it. Not

what they predicted! Played by James Davies. Dan Jones is looking for a

bit of space that wasn't really there. That is Tom Denton. Shingler

flying up. Davies over the ball on Cian Healy, and that's great work by

the openside. Great play, absolutely great play. When he got on, nobody

challenged him directly. As we know, he's very strong. They've challenge

for him today against an experienced back row and he's doing good work.

-- a big challenge. Similar to the Wales setup, Shingler flying up,

getting the hit low, and as with James Davies, working in tandem.

Australia did it as well in the World Cup. This back row has been in

great form for the Scarlets all season, to be fair. Yes, they hunt

as a team and they turned over so many balls, in the games we've had

so much to this date. You can't just come permit them, is the whole team

doing what they are meant to do according to the team -- just

complement them. Shingler smuggling it back to James Davies.

Edwards wasn't expecting it that way. A lucky break for the

Scarlets. Offside call. I can't say that I saw it. I think maybe Kim

Healy was creeping up on the outside a bit but I didn't see that one --

Ian Healy. A big call, going for the corner. Just want to keep the

momentum going. It would be a huge coup for them to get over for the

third try, after only 35 minutes. Absolutely. Shingler at the front.

He is the go to man in the line-out. They missed him in the one

game that he has missed this season. Out comes the ball to Gareth Davies,

looking for the forwards to carry. Rob Evans obliges. And this time,

the defence wins. James Tracy did very well, involved before that as

well, making a big hit. Lively player, he's doing very well.

Absolutely vital turnover. Leinster managed to get away without

conceding on that occasion. But the Scarlets will be very happy with

life, from where their half minutes of the first half remaining. --

three and a half minutes. The extended Leinster squad, joined by

Rob Kearney. Denton slipping it down. Not straight.

That was too obvious to let go. The last two line-outs for Leinster,

something they pride themselves on is the set piece. The scrum as well

hasn't exactly been devastating. Seven man Scarlets, putting them

under bother in the line-out, starting not to fire. Definitely

some teething issues with this newly selected team that Leo has out.

White I was watching them practising the line-out with Leo Cullen and I

was -- and they were looking good. It is different with the opposition.

That's where you got to have the pressure and the belief that you

know where the ball is going to be as the hooker. Pressure coming on

the Scarlets. Having to get rid of the ball. Davies, inside ball to

Tagicakibau. Rawlins with the clearance.

Tagicakibau again, trying to step inside, looking for the off-load to

Tom Williams. Good tracking by the winner. The ball is turned over and

this may be danger for the Scarlets, the chase is on. Picked up by

Ringrose, a good tackle from Hadleigh Parkes. Oh, and the

interception as well from Aled Thomas, saving the day for the

Scarlets. That was different! The scrum-half passing to the intercept.

Not as either team would mean it, but it adds to the excitement. Oh,

Cian Kelleher spilling it. And the Scarlets will breathe a huge sigh of

relief. A huge sigh of relief, they were definitely caught on the hop. A

nice kick through from Madigan, it was. Ringrose gets a nice bounce up

and he does well. But then the turnover happens again. The Scarlets

will definitely take a much deserved breather there. Their position and

accuracy, things they normally pride themselves on, they aren't here

today at all. Such an important cover tackle from Hadleigh Parkes on

Ringrose there. Moving over to the wing. After Rob Kearney's departure.

There are a few messages being brought on there with the water. I

was talking about young Ringrose in the under 20 and under 21 on the way

over, a natural star who has all of the skills. A lot of people, players

of that ilk in Ireland likened to Brian O'Driscoll. A pity he has had

to go to the wing, we would like to see him competing at 13. Definitely

keep an eye on him. By all accounts, talking to the backs coach at

Leinster, they are so impressed with him. And he isn't 21 until the New

Year. Yeah. Scarlets will be thinking now, right, one more bit of

defensive work and the job is done. Rob Evans getting a bit of treatment

before taking his place in the scrum. He needs a clear head,

keeping his concentration for what may be the last RAM of the first

half. Would be a great return for the Scarlets -- the last grammar. --

scrum. Around the corner, blue. It went one

way and then the other. Walking around the corner, the tight head.

I'm not sure I agree with the decision. It was actually a penalty

he missed early on, because Healy broke his grip and went to the deck,

which you can't do. This is better than we hoped. The Scarlets would be

any good position going into a now they have a chance to put the foot

-- put another three points on the board, giving an excellent 45

minutes for themselves. There would have been time for one more

line-out, so they might as well try and killed the clock completely. --

kill. And possibly get three points on it. Outside of Dan Jones range,

so Aled Thomas has a gallon. -- has a go. If it is within range it is

pretty much on the limit. He's given it a good shot. But not

quite enough in the end. It didn't have the legs but the Scarlets won't

mind because that was a very well done first half, two tries to zero

for them, leading 15-9 in Dublin. Let speak to John Barclay. Two tries

to zero and a 6-point lead, how pleasing was the first half? The

discipline is lacking a bit but when we get the ball we are testing them.

The plan for the second-half? More of the same, I'd imagine. John

Barclay, excellent first half for them and now we have the recap. We

talked about how tough a place to come the RDS was but the Scarlets

showed no respect in the opening stages, Hadleigh Parkes crossing

over for the first try after a few minutes. Jake Ball harshly sought

yellow after he was adjudged to have collapsed the driving maul. Ian

Madigan booting for Leinster. 16-7 and then Gareth Owen, a day after

his birthday, crossing for the second try of the game and Dan Jones

extending the gap. Aled Thomas missing on the last attempt of the

half that could have taken them to 18-9. It is 15-9, and the statistics

reflect a Scarlets's domination away from home. The action areas there.

Leinster, a lot in their own 22, a fair bit of time in the middle third

of the pitch as well. Shane, we talked about how this maybe a game

too far in their unbeaten run but so far the Scarlets are looking good

for the win? They are looking more consistent than Leinster, many of

the Scarlets guys have played a lot together. You could see the Leinster

team, looks like a lot of international players have come back

and they can't find their feet, some of the players are quite lethargic.

James Heaslip has not been mentioned at all, we know how classy he is. A

bit more coherence with the Scarlets. Two great tries and the

more positive of the two teams. The first one, from a guy called

Hadleigh Parkes who has really settled, great signing. A relative

unknown when he signed from Auckland, he has really made an

impression. He is the old head in midfield, keeping everything

together and he does everything well. He is quicker than I think

people thought. He got across. What the Scarlets did well, they were

committing defenders, they took a lot of them again and again.

Shingler is going and drawing in the defenders. The ball goes out again.

It is good forwards driving. Committing defenders. A lot of space

out wide. Only two Leinster defenders but Parkes goes in between

the two midfield players. Lovely ball from Gareth Davies. It is the

aggressive running we've seen from the Scarlets time and again. Gain

line success has been fantastic and that was a great start for the

Scarlets team and Parkes in particular. He looked very

impressive. They have been aggressive, constantly getting over

the gain line and that has put them in a good position. There was a

period after the try when the Scarlets were under the pump and

Leinster looked quite ominous. But the Scarlets was so aggressive in

defence, turning things around and looking Leinster back. They didn't

change anything, they continued the speed in defence. I think this

should have gone and it may have made a difference but they countered

the rork very well. -- the ruck. They did not panic. They conceded

six points but they were 7-6 up. It was a good period of play for the

Scarlets. When Jake Ball came back on the field, they got a bit of

ascendancy and controlled the match better. It is a team effort, the

aggressive defence, but we talked before the game about how the

Scarlets back row would be facing the acid test, looking at the

International back row of Leinster. But they've made a nuisance of

themselves and they are winning the battle. We spoke about that in the

game, the nuisance value of Scarlets, but their back row in

particular. Shingler has had a great game. He quietly goes about his

work, he makes his tackles. James Davies has had the plaudits over the

last couple of weeks. He is impressive. We haven't heard from

Heaslip. Sean O'Brien is slowly getting into the game. But the

breakdown, the aggressive play from Leinster has ensured that they have

no continuity in their game in terms of what they are trying to do. I

think that has helped make the Scarlets performance overall first

class. The difference in terms of the qualities of the team, huge when

you look at International is compared to what the Scarlets have

on the field, but it's about working together as a collective unit. The

forwards are certainly setting the platform for the Scarlets and it was

Hadleigh Parkes's partner, Gareth Owen, going over for the second try

in. -- for the second try. You could see that Denton and Tracy came up

too quickly in the defensive line. Often we see Gareth Davies coming

off that foot and looking for gaps. The passing and vision to put in

Gareth Owen, and he gets low as well to make sure that Madigan isn't

going to get near him and it is well finished. It is great support from

Gareth Owen. He does not know that Davies is going to make the run. He

gets on the end of a great pass, Davies is going to make the run. He

couple of moments time. A reminder of what is coming your way over the

weekend. On Sunday we have Martyn Williams

and Colin Chavis with us. We are going to catch up with the world's

best referee. COMMENTATOR: A good decision from

Nigel Owens, one of the reasons he has been chosen to referee the World

Cup final. It is the pinnacle of any career to get to the final.

Fall the first time in a long time, I am into the on my own. No

assistant referees to help. But I will go there and enjoy it. A little

bit of a change of scenery in the space of a week but you can

guarantee he will put the same degree of effort in and will face

the same degree of scrutiny. Absolutely. I heard the coach on the

radio earlier. More often than not when they lose the game, they blame

the referee and it will be more difficult this weekend with the

world's best referee in the middle. He will go about his work as he

normally does. With humour, and just as quality as a referee. It'll be

good. About 1000 people are gone to watch that game on the weekend.

Talking about taking alternative parts, Cambridge University welcomed

a medical student to their ranks on Wednesday night. Jamie Roberts

turned out and played in the centre for them as they took on Worcester

Cavaliers. It is not a fairy tale debut for the big man. They lost 29

- seven. The big Varsity matches coming up. He is desperate to play

in that one. You know the guy well. Is he some kind of modern-day

Renaissance man or an endlessly restless spirit? A bit of

everything. He is a fantastic rugby player. And what he has achieved not

only on the rugby field but in the medical sense of everything he has

done, it is just phenomenal. You can see what it means to him to go back

and play for Cambridge and he is just a specimen, to be fair. He

always gives 100%, does not matter what game he is playing or what he's

doing. He's incredible, to be fair. What is the incumbent 12 at

Cambridge University thinking right now? It is just unfair, isn't it? It

is to be huge years ago and a lot of international players went to Oxford

and Cambridge and that game was one of the biggest games in the rugby

calendar. Things have changed. It is the professional era but he has that

sort of free spirit that he wants to do things a little bit differently

and going to harlequins and having this opportunity, that is very much

Jamie Roberts, I think. The very best of luck to him from all of us.

For more national dual contracts have been signed. All of them at the

Ospreys. Scott Baldwin, James King, Rory Thornton and Dan Baker have all

put pen to paper and we have also heard in the last of four hours that

the Welsh regions raised the salary cap to ?4.5 million. They have a

little bit more to spend on their squads. All pretty good news for

Welsh regional rugby. Yes, very positive. Good season of the young

players having an opportunity to be a part of the central contract is

the man certainly in terms of the salary increase, that just gives

more flexible itty to the Welsh regions to strengthen their squad

and ensure they keep layers and alongside the Welsh Rugby Union, it

is good to see that the union and the regions are working closely

together and that can only be for the good of the game. We are waiting

to see of this increase in the salary cap will affect things...

Whether Dan Biggar and Alun Wyn Jones will re-sign. Dan Biggar, the

Ospreys have hinted he is on the verge of signing. Can you see the

two of them sticking around? Yes, I think so. They have both been loyal

to the cause. Alun Wyn Jones has come through the ranks at the

Ospreys, at Swansea. He is a local lad. The Ospreys and of course Wales

means a lot to him. And I am sure he would want to sign and get

everything sorted out as soon as possible. The same with Dan Biggar.

He has been fantastic for the Ospreys from the start. Especially

now. He is performing so well with the likes of Rhys Webb and again,

another Swansea lad that has done well, and I am sure there will be a

number of clubs after the both of them but with what is happening at

the moment with the WR you won the regions, it will be a great advert

if these two guys could stay now and of course just set the precedent for

other players. It would be huge for the Ospreys and for Wales. Bit of

news this week, a lot of rumours resurfacing about Rhys Patchell

moving west and joining the Scarlets. We understand that the

Scarlets have not signed him. Yet. I did looks as though he is not good

to be a Blues player next season. His contract runs out this season

and everything -- ever since Gareth Anscombe arrived, they had been

doubts about whether he would stick around. Given the backline the

Scarlets are building, he would be a good fit there? I think he just was

to play regular rugby at under ten and he will not get that at the

Blues. Gareth Anscombe is certainly the 11 down there. You have Stephen

Jones as well and if there is anyone you want to work with in terms of

developing UI as a player, I think it is Stephen Jones. You have two

very good ten is already at the club. He will not just be going

there and stepping straight into that position. He has to work hard

to get there. It would certainly be a mouthwatering backline. We will

keep you posted. It is time now to return to the action and the start

of the second half. Thank you very much, Ross. It is as

you were in terms of personnel at the start of the second half.

Leinster seemed to be very determined in the way that Heaslip

was leading the chase from a kick-off and they need to.

It is a good back row combination. Absolutely. Getting a bit of slack

on the Twitter machine, people questioning whether I am a Leinster

supporter or not but it is hard not to be positive about the way the

Scarlets are playing at the moment. Lane with such confidence and such

ability to go forward. It is something that you have to cheer.

Dan Jones. Sakho can, just beaten to it. -- Zach Kirkland.

Gets the ball away to Michael Tagicakibau. Away from a touchline.

Breaks a tackle and looks for the offload but cannot quite find Gareth

Davies. It came off a Leinster man so it is play on. Noel Reid,

Kirchner. That is what the Scarlets are looking for. That is what they

have developed this year, the offload game, getting the ball away

from the tackle. Leinster again, it looks like they are forcing it. It

looks like the story of the first half is just continuing again. The

Scarlets playing with much more confidence and patience. That last

asset in them down there. -- pass letting them down there. Trying to

find a bit of width and there is Ringrose. Again, a great tackle by

Michael Tagicakibau. He does not hold back. Everything he has done

today has been so physical. He is absolutely brilliant. I think he

will -- I will call him Michael. You are used to saying Tagicakibau. To

get the timing on that when a player is running at you. It is a great

talent. Yes, superbly done by Tagicakibau.

Gary Ringrose was using the touchline then stepping back inside

but that was a great tackle. The ensuing penalty has pushed the

Scarlets back into their 22. Devin Toner, now can they control it

from here? Leinster, it is looking dangerous. The try line is getting

ever nearer. The Scarlets desperately trying to get numbers

back but it is the blue shirts, they are brought down just short.

Heaslip. The Scarlets throwing everything into defence. On their

own try line. The ball quickly recycled. Picked up I Cian Healy.

Laser back short and Mike Ross is there and Mike Ross gets over. That

is the start that Leinster would have wanted the second half. The

first decent but of attack they have had right the way through the game.

I thought they were a little bit lacking in patience in that small.

They were going forward and they tried to go for a rumble just

towards the end and ended up just dropping short. It is a hard

position to keep in. Getting on the weak shoulder every single time and

it looked like it was a matter of time until someone found a bit of

space. A great effort until that point from the Scarlets, defending

on your line is hard. Constant pressure from the forwards in the

end. After a bit of width got then the attacking position. And the

tight head was the one that got the important last carry over the try

line. A conversion by Ian Madigan was as the self, straight in front

and that means that despite everything the Scarlets did in the

first half, five minutes into the second, they are behind by one

point. Is the story going to stay the same, I wonder? Leinster venture

into their half and they get a score. That is the only flow they

have had in the game so far. Kirchner high above everybody. The

crowd are getting involved and that is always dangerous to any visiting

side. Ian Madigan 's kick is charged down. Hadleigh Parkes against Ian

Madigan. Ian Madigan has a yard on him. As a slide as well. Does not

want to go dead. Does well. Yes, very well played by Ian Madigan.

Under pressure. Heaslip is back there in a supporting role. Heaslip

has been far more prominent in the first few minutes. Everything you

want to have on your captain, you want their leadership. Pressure on

Aaron Shingler by Noel Reid. A good result for Leinster. Absolutely. Ian

Madigan, it started with him. His mistake to start with. He thought

twice about the kick. He won the chase back and did superbly well.

But as you said, the captain, Jamie Heaslip has been so important. He

has been vital to everything that has been good about Leinster so far

and you would expect the senior players really start to step up and

take a hold of this game. While there is a break in play, let's go

back down pitch side. I have got Phil John, the Scarlets prop with

me, resting tonight. What was said at half-time? I think we need to

keep as ashen when we are in Leinster 's territory and keep our

ill discipline low because we are giving Leinster opportunities for

penalties to put us back in the corner and that is where that try

came from. You have gone behind but how important will that six-game

winning run be when it comes to the belief that you can come back into

this? We are feeling great at the moment. The boys are happy in the

camp and we think this is one of the places we have not won fro while but

we think we can come here and winter night. Thank you, Phil. Cheers,

Phil. Leinster certainly upped the tempo

at the beginning of the second half. Whatever the message was for the

Scarlets, keep as ashen and keep going, I think Leinster have had a

bit of a talking to doing that interval. You have to say,

considering the effort the Scarlets have really put into this first

half, to find themselves a point behind in the game, they could not

shake Leinster off. Ian Madigan floated out towards

Ringrose again. And it bounces back away from the centre.

Nasty bounce. Important for the Scarlets to get back to what they

were doing so strongly in the first half, which was all about retaining

possession, getting over the gain line. OK, they are talking -- the

talking to Leinster have obviously had at half-time will galvanise them

but it is nothing they cannot do. Brilliant take by Lewis Rawlins. But

lost it again. By late night is always under pressure. -- the

line-out. Ian Madigan is looking to work his magic behind and create a

bit of space on the outside. That is Kelleher, down into Scarlets

territory. Aled Thomas is there to recover. The battle is on for the

ball on the floor. The Scarlets have won it. He has done well. Gareth

Davies just manages to scramble it away. He was under a bit of

attention there. That is what the scramble defence is all about. A

good bit of play by Leinster. It is all about gaining the yard and

getting back down. Will the Scarlets managed to get out of their own half

without conceding any scores? It would be a huge psychological plus.

Devin Toner takes the line-out. Here they come again. Sean O'Brien. Ben

Te'o. Cian Healy stopped by Aaron

Shingler. Isaac Boss. Leinster are going backwards at the moment. A

lack of patience again. There was space there. And they are just not

regrouping. They are in ones and twos just heading off. You cannot do

that, when you are making ground, you have to keep the form of the

more rolling around. Not just breaking off and finding space and

almost dropping through it. That is not the way it goes. And here is the

moment a lot of Leinster fans will have been waiting for and there is

the reaction to Johnny Sexton getting stripped off. A huge cheer

when his name was announced among the substitutes bench before the

game. The heavy artillery first, in Jack McGrath and Marty Moore.

At the moment, no Jonny Sexton. Maybe because

At the moment, no Jonny Sexton. about entail. -- Ben Te'o. I think

what will happen is Ian Madigan will push into the centre and Jonny

Sexton will come on, when it does happen. They are just gone to wait a

little more time before he comes on. Europe looming large on the horizon

for everyone next weekend. It is. It is only a few weeks and it will be

very intense for these players. It isn't like 14 games on the trot now

without stopping. -- something like. Gareth Owen thought he could spot

half a gap as Isaac 's was coming across. -- Isaac Boss.

Jake Ball. Leinster defence up quickly. James Davies twirls his way

out of the first tackle. He has had a great game so far today. Kirchner

got a bit of it but not enough. A fair challenge in the air.

This is the first sustained the first sustained bit of play we have

had... Here is Jonny Sexton coming onto the park now. I think it is Ben

Te'o coming off. Ian Madigan into the centre. Noel Reid out of 13. It

was the first sustained bit of play we have had where they have been in

one half and out of the other. The school board has not ticked over.

The game is evening out a little bit. Ben Te'o himself a replacement

for Rob Kearney, then replaced and just under half an hour for Jonny

Sexton and now Ian Madigan alongside him in the centre.

Gareth Owen testing Ian Madigan 's defensive qualities early. Beautiful

delay from Davies to Jake Ball. Invited him into the gap. James

Davies appended as he got into the 22. The ball is therefore the

Scarlets though. It is really entirely in the end. Absolutely.

Leinster fighting really hard. I do not know if the referee is checking

something or the TMO but Leinster fighting really hard, giving them no

free time at ruck time. The Scarlets will not be happy with the way that

one ended up at play on. The TMO is meant to be checking something. Tom

Williams in the end comes over from the right wing. Captain by Ian

Madigan. -- capped in. Not much of an angle to play with.

The TMO has spotted something. It was in that series of rocks on the

far side web bodies were flying in all over the place. Absolutely. I do

not know what he has seen. It was interesting to see Ringrose gather

the ball on the wing and he decided to kick this time. As opposed to

having a run at Michael. Jake Ball cleaning out Jamie Heaslip. Again,

as we talked about it at the very start of the game, is he leading

with the head? Is he wrapping his arm around? His arm looked like it

was half in the position to get up. REFEREE:

It just looks a little bit scrappy. For me, it is nothing more than a

penalty kick. It'll be a penalty but no more

against Jake Ball. Jamie Heaslip was in a rather unfortunate position.

There was nothing he could do. His legs were caught underneath the

ruck. We saw what happened to Paul O'Connell in the World Cup. Just

those little inches that can make the difference. Your footage an inch

to the left, and aims to the right. -- an inch to the right. One or two

Leinster supporters do not agree with Leighton Hodges. Although in

fairness to the referee, he did refer to the point that he has

already had a yellow card so he really has to be careful. He was

right on the borderline there. Treading a very fine line. Jake Ball

carries on but with a warning still in his years. What do the boys back

in the studio make of that? Pretty harsh. At the end of the day, you

take players out, it was almost a textbook sort of clear out, I

think, from Jake Ball. Very unfortunate. If it is a penalty,

should it be a Ricard? But I said that was a harsh decision. The fact

that the Scarlets are playing decent rugby, they are more aggressive at

the breakdown of this very unfortunate. I completely agree. He

comes through the centre, there is no offence made there. He uses his

arms, it is not just the shoulders. And like you say, if they are going

to give a penalty, he is already on a yellow card, and that to me

really, if it is a penalty it is another yellow card. But that

certainly was not the case. Thank you, boys. Offside called. Now then,

Jonny Sexton for the corner, I dare say. Harry Robinson has come on the

left wing for the Scarlets for Michael Tagicakibau. And Robinson is

the one who keeps it in play. Jonny Sexton been just a little bit

greedy. Wanted to go right to the corner. He could have come a couple

of yard short occurs it would only be five yards anyway. We have seen

him doing summary times, he does have amazing ability. Bert he really

did push it that little bit too far. The forwards will not be thanking

him for that. A Leinster line-out. A good deal further away from the

trial and they would have wanted. -- try line. Heaslip takes. It is

sacked immediately. That is OK. Good defence. Sean O'Brien against --

against that source by Emyr Phillips. Jonny Sexton turns it

nicely back inside to Tracey. Isaac Boss. Ringrose has a goal.

Nicely played initially but then sloppy pass down at the feet. Just

trying to threaded through behind the defence and the Scarlets defence

are very hard, trying to close the space before Leinster made any

ground at all. And Ian Madigan trying to threaded through.

Just trying to get in behind the defence because they are so quickly.

Forced it that bit too much. Outside Kirchner and Kelleher.

The wind has certainly picked up. I am not sure who it is favouring.

Looks like it is favouring Leinster a little bit, I think. I do not know

what I am basing that on, just the wind at my back. And the crowd noise

has also picked up. You can usually tell from the way my hair moves,

whether it is going left or right. I have to say, I am surprised the

Scarlets have taken the scrum. Normally the line-out is a cleaner

take when you are in defence. Easier for the kicker to get his chance to

clear his lines. But they have managed to get it out. The ball out

on the full, even those Gareth Davies was inside the 22. The

line-out will be just there the whitewash.

Territorially and possession wise, the second half has belonged to

Leinster. Much more of a defensive battle for the Scarlets. And there

is no let up yet from the home team. Ian Madigan bringing in Kirchner,

great hands. The pass just dying on Ringrose. Kirchner knew it was gone

to be man and ball. Yes, the pass was floated a bit from Ian Madigan.

Took a little bit too long to get to Kirchner. Kirchner, very quick

hands. The ball and fortunately ran out of gas before it got to

Ringrose. It is Aled Thomas who has come off second best anyway.

Kirchner back from World Cup duty with South Africa. Yes, a bronze

medal in his pocket, a happy man. A few people did not expect him to get

the call-out. But certainly, it himself no harm whatsoever and he

will be very happy. So few people have any medal coming out of a World

Cup. If you are hanging around Sonny Bill Williams, you might get one.

But yes, he has been a great player, a great addition to the Leinster

squad since he has come over here and a player that can play in

several different possessions. -- positions. Just to remind you that

the rest of the fixtures this weekend involving the Welsh regions,

Ospreys are hosting Zebre. The Blues are hosting Glasgow. And on S4C on

Sunday afternoon, it is the Dragons against Ulster. One of the game

being played this evening, Connacht are leading Benetton Treviso by 23

points to 12. Connacht could find themselves going top this evening.

They are scoring tries. They were 20 tries coming into this weekend, the

top try scorers in the Pro12. Another new recruit for the Scarlets

our goal, Michael Collins. There is a name to be conjured within these

parts. Great Irish name. Three more for Ian Madigan, three more for

Leinster. They have dominated the third quarter and what was a 9-15

deficit has turned into a 19-15 advantage. Another new recruit for

the Scarlets. Maselino Paulino. Seven times capped by Sam well.

Is You called it right, Leinster have an pace -- have increased the

pace and intensity. We knew this would happen, the Scarlets have to

rise to the occasion because we knew that Leinster would start to get

their rhythm. They were disjointed in the first half and things were

going the wrong way and Scarlets took advantage. Now they are getting

together, Scarlets have to improve their defence. Looking for the

inside ball. Just knocked on. Almost an interception. Genuine attempt to

catch the ball. Not forwards. Dan Jones. A good effort, nothing wrong

with that. So many one-handed interception efforts, called a

deliberate knock-on. You can see if he's trying to gather it, they

should be given every opportunity. Just a knock-on, nothing more to it.

Ken Owens is in the middle of that scrum now. The referee drives you

mad, there is a perfectly good scrum there, putting the ball in. No idea

of the pressure is going through the front row, the fun and games going

on there. He's looking at the back row to seek. -- to see. Get the ball

going, get it going again. Well, that is a very impressive

Leinster scrum. Absolutely, you can see by the way they were scrummaging

in the first half, they expected to be on top but the Scarlets were

fighting hard, even down to seven men, fighting hard in the scrum. It

looks like the other hand is starting to show. Both props have

been changed, and Marty Moore is on, and Jack McGrath is at the

loosehead. It seems that the fresh blood is working. That shows the

difference in the squads and benches, if you can take and Ross

and Ross and bring an Jack McGrath and Marty Moore. And the others are

tiring now, Rob Evans. Absolutely. Ryan is at the ready. So is Hayden

Triggs. The New Zealander who has joined Leinster. Rumbling on again,

led by Heaslip initially. More tackling to be done by the Scarlets.

Sexton, to Madigan. The Scarlets, keeping them at bay.

The Scarlets are camped in their own 22, concerted pressure from

Leinster. Sexton, the different option this time. A nicely weighted

kick too to Kelaher. Very close to being on the end of it. Sexton had

to do that because the game was going against them and the defence

is still working hard into Leinster's faces and he had no

option but to try and find some space in another way. You sense that

Tom Williams had crept a yard infield. Shingler, battling for it.

Devin Toner steals it. So, here comes the pressure again.

Reid on the straight run. The Scarlets winning the penalty. Good

defence, James Davies leading the way. Well done, some lovely

interplay. Noel getting the ball away nicely but you can't be

isolated in the ruck. Good defensive work from James Davies and it had to

be because they've been under the cosh for pretty much all of the

second half. Leinster have had almost three quarters of the

possession. It's clear to see, much more in the first half, even

favouring the Scarlets in terms of possession but that hasn't been the

story in the second half. James Tracy deserves the applause he gets

as he leaves. Oh, yes, great effort. Replaced by Bryan Byrne. Ken Owens,

the Scarlets looking to try and get some possession, keep hold of the

ball and work their way down the field. Gareth Davies looking,

freeing his hands. The ball is stripped from his grasp, Heaslip

with the important tackle. Little chip from Sexton is a bit far. That

was just kicking the ball back into their possession. Gareth Davies, oh,

a great run, just dragged back. The Scarlets are still causing one or

two problems when they get the chance. Absolutely, Leinster have

found a way through, they have scored in the second half but the

effort and aggression from the Scarlets is still there in defence

and attack. They are not doing much wrong. Oh, just the slightest

knock-on. There you go, almost exactly as I said. So unlucky, very

little in it from Shingler. In fairness, that's exactly what the

Scarlets can't do in the second half. As Leinster have started

finding their feet. As the Scarlets get into the Leinster half they have

to retain the ball and get through the phases. Shingler has taken a

knock. Let's go down to the pitch side. A lot of traffic jams tomorrow

on the B4556. A game going on in the Premiership. And tomorrow's

fixtures... Bridgend, three from three, they are the form team at the

moment, at home to Pontypridd. Llanelli being coached by Phil John,

we heard from him early on. A big one at Rodney Parade, the Gwent

derby. Where are some of those places? The

look on your face! A main thoroughfare, I presume. If you

haven't been there, you haven't lived. Fair enough!

Michael Cole instructing back, he wants it to go dead and it obliges.

The 22-year-old. Born in Queenstown in the South Island. Clearly strong

Irish ancestry. -- Michael Collins. Kerzner, trying to launch another

Leinster attack. -- Kirchner. It is good, aggressive defence by

the Scarlets. And again, look at this from

Sexton. Whatever game plan he was playing, it might it have been a bad

decision if they were ready for it, but unfortunately they weren't.

Hadleigh Parkes just wants to get the Scarlets back downfield. Still

in play. Robinson is struggling in midfield for the Scarlets now. He is

hobbling. I think he's suffering from cramp, he was trying to get it

out of his leg. Fair play to him, he's doing his bit. It is Stan

Jones, actually. Aled Davies, the only back

replacement. The scrum-half. He may be called into action. Just under

ten minutes to go. The penalties are racking up against the Scarlets.

That of course results, the pressure applied in the second half from the

home team. Finding out during the game in the first half, the coaching

staff already pointing out that penalties are an issue and it really

is growing, as the pressure comes on in the second half against Scarlets,

it's really growing. The one thing from Leinster that I would like to

see that we haven't seen in the game, being a bit patient, as is

Scarlets were in the first half. Retain the ball, don't always go for

the kick. Sexton likes to keep the ball moving forwards, but if not,

just recycle it, keep it. Just under 15,000 at the RDS, as Heaslip takes

his team into the Scarlets's 22. It has been one-way traffic in the

second half. Opening up with the runaround from Johnny Sexton. And

it's as easy as that in the end. The RDS crowd coming alive to greet

Johnny Sexton's try. I think it was Parkes, breaking the line, which you

can't do. He broke the line and gave Sexton the gap. As he does, he took

the opportunity, doing the dummy pass and the defence was left

behind. Initiating contact, is can we see

who it was. -- can we see who it was? That is it, it is Reid on

Gareth Owen. 12 initiated contact, obstruction, no try. No try is going

to be given. Just watching the last one. I've got it, thanks. Noel Reid

knocked into Gareth Owen 's, and the try does not count -- Gareth Owen.

If he kept his hands up, dropping the shoulder into it, as the referee

saying, he initiated contact. The gap would have been there anyway

probably. The blood around -- the wraparound would have worked. The

video session is not going well for him. A let off for the Scarlets as

they try to hang onto the losing bonus point. Seven and a half

minutes is a long time, though. Gareth Davies going aerial. The

knock-on. Another one following. There will be a scrum. First

knock-on, blue. The Scarlets are still in it. They scored two tries

early on, what do they need to get a third? STUDIO: They need to get

their hands on the ball, there was the opportunity on the handover and

the backs look like dangerous, getting over the gain line when they

have been running in midfield. In the second half it has all been

Leinster but they are only four points in front, with seven minutes

to play, so the Scarlets are in the game. The important point is that

they are still in the game, they still have an opportunity, only four

behind. They are where they want to be. So they had every opportunity to

get a result and it would be a fantastic result. COMMENTATOR: The

confidence that Scarlets had in the first half is what they need now in

these last five or six minutes. It is, you have to say that the switch

around in the game, you talk about how dominant Scarlets were in the

first half and suddenly they were behind. How dominant Leinster have

been in this half, the Scarlets are still only ones school away. Just

one try will do. -- one score away. Gareth Davies, good footwork.

Hadleigh Parkes, in support again. Taken on by Dylan Evans, fresh legs.

Madigan with the tackle. The Scarlets are putting a few phases

together which they haven't managed to do in the second half. I think

this is the longest they have had the ball in their hands. They are

edging towards the Leinster 22. Can they find a bit of magic from

somewhere? Inside ball. Asking too much, though, it was knocked on by

Collins. It looked as if they were building up to what they were doing

in the first half. Massive retention of the ball, slowly but surely

getting over the gain line and putting Leinster under pressure. But

the forced pass. The gaps that were there in the first half will not be

there in the second, the Leinster defence has tightened up. It is more

difficult to do when you are tired and chasing the game. Of course,

especially when you are passing to a prop. Very tired. Dan Leavy coming

on. Both benches, as all of them are these days, such an important role

to play. It is a 23 man game now. Absolutely. Part of the debate about

the game, isn't it, whether it should be that the fresh legs can

come on, if substitutions were not so easily made, would the game open

up? Right now, squads are so important. Everyone on the bench has

a huge role to play. Gareth Davies has played his part. Aled Davies has

around five minutes to make his impression.

Long kick, easily taken by Collins. He needs to put in a decent reply.

Kirchner, back again. Tom Williams. On the ten metre line. One of those

hard decisions for the full-backs when there is such a big distance

and the kicks are going backwards and forwards. Does he try running

out of the 22 and get some back or does he take the safety, of going

into touch? Treviso, that match is 26-12, almost finished. Henshaw is

back after the World Cup and scored a try and so has Tom McCartney, the

winger. Superb for Connacht, in such a good position. And they have the

advantage of Henshaw coming back, one of their stars. The line-out

letting them down, the Scarlets have a chance to attack with less than

three minutes to play. Looking for one score of any kind, a tribe that

is. Robinson over halfway. Dan Jones, suffering badly with crab

early on. He has stayed out there. -- with cramp.

They can't afford to be isolated now. They have to really follow the

ball and the ball carrier around. Absolutely, they need to have a bit

of patience and control that they had in the first half. Retaining the

ball is so important now. So much to play for. Slip from Evans. That's

good work from Shingler. They have been forced backwards and that's a

dangerous ball from Ken Owens. Aled Davies is under pressure now. The

Scarlets get away with it though. That was like an amateur are from

Sean O'Brien. Never let the man up at all. You have to get them some

opportunity to get back on their feet. Very surprised with that for a

man of his experience. Given a good opportunity for the Scarlets to get

down into the corner now and have a go. The Scarlets, only one win and

the RDS, and that was in 2007. Still within one score of doing it again

as we go into the final minute of the game. This will be the final

chance for the Scarlets now. One more shot from the Scarlets as

they go into the Leinster 22. This is where they want to be, they are

applying the pressure even know they have been under the cosh in the

second half. One more chance to get a win from here.

The crowd are starting to wake up, cheering on the Leinster defence.

They know what's at stake here, the Leinster fans. Penalty given away.

Penalty advantage. Aled Davies looking for somebody on the angle

but the pass was given away. A long advantage was played. The clock has

gone red but they will continue. They will have to tap and go if they

want to have a go. The time is up. There we go, then, one last effort

from the Scarlets. Apart from the penalty, that's it. We'll be

Scarlets finish with a flourish? It has been a great effort. Paulino

takes it on and nearly bursting through the tackle. The try line is

now there. Within reach. Collins, sending it back to Aled Davies.

Those long way around. Paulino, but the ball was lost for words. There

may be relief -- there may be relief for the Leinster fans. The Scarlets

giving it everything. Coming so close. In the end, they have to come

away with the losing bonus point. Great effort from the Scarlets,

early tries, but a blank sheet in the second half. Leinster, they

improved as the game went on and it is Leinster who come away with the

victory and the Scarlets have to lick their wounds and settle for a

first defeat of the season, and the losing bonus point at the RDS. Great

effort from Leinster in the end, just a bit too good in the second

half. They have the victory over the Scarlets, 19-15. STUDIO: There it

is, the Scarlets have Scarlets, 19-15. STUDIO: There it

unbeaten record. They started brilliantly, Hadleigh Parkes

crossing within five minutes at the RDS and then they were two to the

good before half-time, Gareth efforts -- Gareth Owen crossing for

the second. But Leinster immersed in the second half they changed team

and Mike Ross bundled his way over. A series of pick and goes. Ever

reliable with the boot, Ryan. Getting eventually the unassailable

lead, 19-15, despite a dramatic final flourish. It would have been

against the run of play, but the Scarlets would have taken it all day

long. Yes, they were in the game throughout, the second half was all

Leinster. Nearly smothering the ball, not allowing Scarlets to have

much of the ball, retaining the ball on the breakdown. As we saw, the

Scarlets could have taken it. When they had the ball they were

effective and they got over the gain line quite well but they tried

forcing the ball a couple of times, if you turnover is. -- turnovers.

You could see the pressure building and building, Heaslip played well in

the second half. You look at the substitutes they can bring on,

Sexton, they controlled the second half, but great effort from the

Scarlets. We will look at the final few phrases now, how close did the

Scarlets come to crossing the line and how panicked would Leinster have

been? A little bit fortunate there, but I think the work ethic, the

aggressive nature of the attack and the breakdown in particular was very

impressive. I think they'll be disappointed with the result, but

delighted with the effort and performance overall, considering

that they didn't come fully loaded, the guests -- up against the

experienced team. The last few minutes, it's all about being

patient and controlling the ball. You can run the clock as long as you

want, you have to hold onto the ball and eventually you should find

space. Perhaps a bit panicky at times, using possession. -- losing

possession. They have the bonus point. The Scarlets captain for the

night John Barclay joins us. Bad luck on the defeat, magnificent

effort. Where did you think it just pipped you? A little bit

disappointing, giving away the ball a bit of it -- a bit too cheaply

sometimes. Good to get a bonus point but we are disappointed to lose. It

says something that you are disappointed come away from Leinster

with a losing bonus point. This is one of the hardest places to play,

they have a great record here. The bonus point is good, but these games

at the end of the season, you look back and you wonder what if? It is

encouraging. We are winning a lot of games. Going to Europe and then back

for the Pro12, it's going all right. Well done and good luck in Europe.

Let's look at the table. The Connacht Treviso game has just

finished. 33-12. Not a bonus point, just three tries for Connacht. We

have a new Pro12 leader, Connacht usurping the Scarlets at the top of

the table. A full round of fixtures on Saturday and Sunday. Two tomorrow

featuring two Welsh regions. The Ospreys are facing Zebre, on the

verge of losing three in a row but surely they won't do that to Zebre,

will bathe? I hope not, they have a bit of experience -- will they. They

have the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar in the squad. They need a

victory. They needed big victory as well, a bit of a push. Probably in a

tough place at the moment, so it's hard to start the season. Not having

any success. The likes of Alun Wyn Jones, he is going to boost the pack

and lead from the front and Alan pick-up pulling the strings behind

him, unsure they will get the victory. -- Alun Wyn Jones pulling

the strings. And how our Glasgow going to be beaten? Eight big ask,

Glasgow have a strong squad. -- a big ask. They have no momentum,

let's hope it goes the way of the Blues. Indeed, best of luck for

those teams. That's all we have time for. Commiserations to the Scarlets,

they have lost their unbeaten record, but to a very good Leinster

second-half performance. Congratulations to them, it is

Europe next. Good night. Scrum V on BBC Wales, a live match

every Friday on Pro12 weekend. Referee camera, high motion cameras,

you won't miss a thing. You never know what may happen. That is one of

the season highlights. And Scrum V Sunday, for Jack, in-depth analysis,

Pro12 Premiership highlights. The knives are sharpened and the heat

is on. It can only mean one thing. Britain's best chefs

are back in town. They're here because they want

this title. I'm really excited. MasterChef: The Professionals

starts cooking...