Scarlets v Ospreys

:01:05. > :01:11.Now, the planets rail line for the Christmas derbies, it is the

:01:12. > :01:17.Scarlets who ruled the galaxy. What a start to the season for the

:01:18. > :01:26.Scarlets. Top of the league, at the top of their game. Will the force be

:01:27. > :01:31.with them today? This fixture never fails to live up to the hype, the

:01:32. > :01:38.age-old West Wales Derby between the big rivals from either side. It is a

:01:39. > :01:42.sell-out crowd at Parc y Scarlets, best that he's put on hold for these

:01:43. > :01:46.fellows, their focus has not been Turkey, it has been this game. He

:01:47. > :01:52.Scarlets ravaged by recent injury but they still can call on some big

:01:53. > :01:55.guns, and also the Ospreys, Alun-Wyn Jones and Dan Biggar some the big

:01:56. > :02:01.guns hoping to take the most precious scalp of all. This goddess

:02:02. > :02:05.might have had a below par campaign in Europe but with the Pro12, they

:02:06. > :02:11.are top. Suffering just one defeat all season. The Ospreys,

:02:12. > :02:20.uncharacteristically, read its place but one up would curve. They are now

:02:21. > :02:24.on a three-game winning streak. The scene is set for the festive

:02:25. > :02:28.firecracker. Welcome to Scrum V Live from Parc y Scarlets, Merry

:02:29. > :02:33.Christmas. Two more people who put their fist of it is on hold because

:02:34. > :02:41.the focus has been the big game, Martyn Williams and Jonathan Davies.

:02:42. > :02:47.What is it about this fixture? Or the current incarnation, it still

:02:48. > :02:51.fires up the imagination? It is one of those things, it is a pivotal

:02:52. > :02:56.game in the calendar for both sides. The Scarlets started exceptionally

:02:57. > :03:00.well but then Europe gave them a shock and the are trying to get that

:03:01. > :03:06.momentum back and finish in the top four. The Ospreys started the season

:03:07. > :03:11.badly but with Europe, they have raised their game, they have to kick

:03:12. > :03:16.on and close the gap on the Scarlets. For me today, if you watch

:03:17. > :03:22.the intensity of the different attitude, full house, people getting

:03:23. > :03:29.away from the in-laws! Only joking! One of those things, this is what

:03:30. > :03:37.you want, a festive Derby Day and a full house. I hope this will be put

:03:38. > :03:44.some spark and bite into it. Like some of the old days. It would not

:03:45. > :03:48.be a Derby without that? Don't talk about the form book going out of the

:03:49. > :03:54.window but the home advantage and league position, will it have any

:03:55. > :04:00.effect? Not at all, it is the World Cup year, league position is very

:04:01. > :04:05.disjointed because the top players are away, the Ospreys struggle

:04:06. > :04:10.without the main players, Dan Biggar, Alun Wyn Jones, but they

:04:11. > :04:15.have been on a good run recently and the Scarlets find it very difficult

:04:16. > :04:21.so it is the old cliche, but never more true, Derby Day, but the

:04:22. > :04:24.window, the referee will have a big influence, we have the best referee

:04:25. > :04:31.in the world. It is set up for a brilliant game. All the ingredients

:04:32. > :04:36.are there, 15,000 fans parking -- packed into Parc y Scarlets. We can

:04:37. > :04:43.find Lee and Philip in the supporters bar. Thank you. Always a

:04:44. > :04:46.hive of activity, this is a man who played in the best of the West a few

:04:47. > :04:53.times and on both sides of the fence. Lee Byrne. What makes this

:04:54. > :04:59.Derby so special? It is all about bragging rights. When you see the

:05:00. > :05:02.fixture coming up it does give you butterflies in the stomach and I

:05:03. > :05:10.have played with both teams, driving down today, there is a certain buzz

:05:11. > :05:15.in the air. What goes on between the players? Banter and text link was

:05:16. > :05:19.Mike Babel have known each other from Wales and have played for each

:05:20. > :05:27.club and there will be a certain amount of that but as soon as a

:05:28. > :05:32.cross it'll be out the window. Any predictions? I think after the form

:05:33. > :05:40.of the Ospreys in Europe and the Scarlets in the Pro12, it will

:05:41. > :05:46.favour the Scarlets. Lee Byrne, the Scarlets by three. Mailing his

:05:47. > :05:51.colours to the mast. Plenty of stars on display but perhaps one star that

:05:52. > :05:56.has shone bright than most, this man, Dan Biggar. He has been a ruck

:05:57. > :06:21.for the Ospreys. Conditions are better than me

:06:22. > :06:26.expected but it is windy out there and the result could come down to

:06:27. > :06:30.management. Dan Biggar, the Ospreys have one of the best in the

:06:31. > :06:34.business? The platform will be crucial today. Whoever gets that

:06:35. > :06:39.knowledge upfront but he has matured, he has made that Wales

:06:40. > :06:44.place his own and that has brought confidence. He bosses the

:06:45. > :06:48.international game as with the regional game and I think he is

:06:49. > :06:53.playing on top form but with Dan Evans as well and Sam Davies, that

:06:54. > :06:59.does help them a lot but it is really windy, I hope it stays dry,

:07:00. > :07:04.the wind will be quite influential and it is where you play the game,

:07:05. > :07:10.who wins the toss. For one thing, he has developed his game, he is very

:07:11. > :07:14.comfortable in that position. The one thing I would like to see him

:07:15. > :07:19.developing again, because he has improved every season, is creating

:07:20. > :07:22.space for the midfield, that is the next thing he has to step up on.

:07:23. > :07:30.That is the one place, to create extra space. We had dissipated he

:07:31. > :07:35.would be finishing his halfback partner, Gareth Davies, but he has

:07:36. > :07:41.not made the starting line-up. Aled Davies has been preferred. That is a

:07:42. > :07:50.big surprise, Gareth Davies has been brilliant all year, but Aled Thomas

:07:51. > :07:55.has got strength and depth. There are rumours that Gareth Davies is

:07:56. > :08:02.carrying a little bit of a Nicol. He still the bench. They have a very

:08:03. > :08:07.strong bench, I would not be surprised if Gareth Davies can still

:08:08. > :08:13.make a very big impact. At home at Christmas time, staying away from

:08:14. > :08:16.alcohol, you want to play. I would be disappointed if I was not

:08:17. > :08:20.starting. The biggest game in the calendar for either team. We can

:08:21. > :08:28.hear from the coaches, perhaps Wayne Pivac can tell us about that

:08:29. > :08:33.decision. Condiments of the season, coming into this on the back of a

:08:34. > :08:39.sticky period in Europe? They would not have been as we would have liked

:08:40. > :08:42.but we have some are -- some players back today and playing at home in

:08:43. > :08:47.such a great occasion, hopefully we will go very well. Interesting

:08:48. > :08:54.selection at scrum-half, preferring Aled Davies to Gareth Davies. Couple

:08:55. > :08:59.of things, his performance has been pretty consistent, Aled Davies, he

:09:00. > :09:03.has had a few weeks in and out, Gareth, he has a little problem,

:09:04. > :09:11.coming off the bench, we feel he will bring something very special.

:09:12. > :09:17.Thank you. The Ospreys, coming into this, better form behind them than

:09:18. > :09:21.the Scarlets. With that kind? I don't think it counts for a lot, the

:09:22. > :09:26.Scarlets have the home record, they have some form. We have to prepare

:09:27. > :09:30.very well and we have done that through the week and we know it will

:09:31. > :09:35.be a pretty physical encounter so we have to be ready. It is a sell-out,

:09:36. > :09:40.is this a real chance to showcase the game and the regional game? For

:09:41. > :09:44.us it is just about performance, making sure we perform and we can

:09:45. > :09:48.showcase ourselves and make sure we are on the money with what we want

:09:49. > :09:52.to do around this game but we know it is going to be very physical and

:09:53. > :09:59.we need to turn up from the first minute. Cheers. Quick reminder of

:10:00. > :10:03.the table. The Scarlets are topping the league, having lost just once

:10:04. > :10:07.all season. The Ospreys had a slow -- start but they're picking things

:10:08. > :10:14.up after getting those World Cup stars back. They potentially want to

:10:15. > :10:27.win the title that they have won so many times before. Former Ospreys

:10:28. > :10:34.coach Sean is with us. This season has had contrasting fortunes? Trust

:10:35. > :10:39.me, we have fond memories of this Boxing Day fixture, they cried. I

:10:40. > :10:44.just fancy in the last couple of weeks that the worm might have

:10:45. > :10:48.turned and favours the Ospreys, they will have more confidence but they

:10:49. > :10:54.have been looking at the contrasting attacking sides of both sides. The

:10:55. > :11:00.Scarlets play an open, expansive style. They like to use their

:11:01. > :11:06.backroom in the way of these challenges. Aaron Shingler today, he

:11:07. > :11:11.is a very good distributor and James Davies will be missing today through

:11:12. > :11:17.injury but he has been pivotal for the Scarlets. They like to play down

:11:18. > :11:24.the short side, we can see this, reaping dividends in the try scoring

:11:25. > :11:27.department. Relies lots on ten, but we expect the Scarlets back row to

:11:28. > :11:32.be in those wide channels today but it requires the front five to play

:11:33. > :11:37.really well. Lots of rucks. That will be tested by the Ospreys. The

:11:38. > :11:42.Ospreys are more traditional, structured attack and Steve Tandy

:11:43. > :11:49.was good at. We have lately seen them playing with non-3 forwards,

:11:50. > :11:53.Sam Davies at the back, or they can cut through the line as Paul James

:11:54. > :12:00.does. Expect Eli Walker lurking in the back and Justin Tipuric pulling

:12:01. > :12:04.wide. What they do from the wider channels is to cut that defensive

:12:05. > :12:11.line, you can see them playing through, keeping alive and they will

:12:12. > :12:15.congregate defence. What they are able to do is narrow things up and

:12:16. > :12:21.be very correct. I would expect him to be in this mode if they do get

:12:22. > :12:24.into this area, Paul James stopping it, trying to create little spaces

:12:25. > :12:29.on the edges, they really work hard for each other, it is preplanned,

:12:30. > :12:35.they will bring the Scarlets down and only went Dan Biggar thinks they

:12:36. > :12:39.have ten against him, will they have the ball and they will need to

:12:40. > :12:45.execute as they do here. But big games require big players and if

:12:46. > :12:48.they get into these areas, the Scarlets can look out. They will

:12:49. > :12:52.want to take the defenders out on the fringes, and when you have the

:12:53. > :12:57.likes of Alun Wyn Jones and Dan Biggar, look out. It is much too

:12:58. > :13:03.close to call. Looking forward to it. I will not budge the spot but

:13:04. > :13:09.let us ask Martyn Williams about one pretty special player. One player

:13:10. > :13:14.for the Ospreys is not just influential but inspirational.

:13:15. > :13:19.Justin Tipuric is more like a magician? Every week, he is

:13:20. > :13:27.phenomenal, seven on his back but what frustrates Justin Tipuric is

:13:28. > :13:32.here so good with the ball in hand, you forget just how good he is at

:13:33. > :13:37.stealing balls, spoiling, getting over in the contact area, he can

:13:38. > :13:48.steal so much. This is what sets him apart. In most other backs. Any 12,

:13:49. > :13:56.13, 15 would be pleased with that finish. This level of performance

:13:57. > :14:00.every week, every week. One of the best in the world. The second

:14:01. > :14:05.favourite player, James Davies, injured for 12 weeks but John

:14:06. > :14:11.Barclay is crucially back to provide that test? Big bonus that he is

:14:12. > :14:21.back, James Davies has taken this to another level. John Barclay, all of

:14:22. > :14:25.his experience, he has not had many games, I think he is more of an

:14:26. > :14:30.openside, he needs a very big game because one area where the Ospreys

:14:31. > :14:35.are so strong is that contact area so John Barclay is huge for the

:14:36. > :14:40.Scarlets. We can hear that Gareth Davies was on the bench today and is

:14:41. > :14:49.off the bench so that injury perhaps more serious. It does show you the

:14:50. > :14:54.depth they have in that position. This is as much a Welsh trial as

:14:55. > :15:03.much as a local derby when you consider the talent. So many

:15:04. > :15:10.parents. But both figures, how feisty can that we? We will have

:15:11. > :15:16.that at the back, going after the man who was competing against you

:15:17. > :15:22.for the Welsh Jersey. It is the only head-to-head, check ball and Alun

:15:23. > :15:27.Wyn Jones but these players are number one and lumber through in

:15:28. > :15:31.Wales. Scott Baldwin has seemed to become the world 11. He is one of

:15:32. > :15:37.the most improved players. Both very similar for me, not the biggest men,

:15:38. > :15:42.not like Richard Hibbard, who was very destructive. They like to get

:15:43. > :15:49.about the park and get the ball in hand. Fascinating between those.

:15:50. > :15:55.Looking at those stats, one fascinating one is scrum accuracy

:15:56. > :16:01.and scrum performance. The Scarlets are top of that. The Ospreys are

:16:02. > :16:05.bottom, they have the worst performing scrum in the league. Back

:16:06. > :16:12.in your days that would have been applicable? They have got 83 macro

:16:13. > :16:18.back in there, like I said at the top, stats, league tables, they can

:16:19. > :16:23.be very disjointed in the World Cup year but Paul James will strengthen

:16:24. > :16:28.that scrum. The Scarlets, Ken Owens, Rob Evans, they have a very strong

:16:29. > :16:32.scrum and set piece so we can talk about Dan Biggar and the boys behind

:16:33. > :16:37.but in the Derby it will be whoever can get dominance in the front five

:16:38. > :16:42.and that is why the Ospreys over ten years have been so successful. You

:16:43. > :16:46.know what it is like to play one of her rivals in the Derby like this.

:16:47. > :16:53.When warming up on the opposition fans are shouting and abusing you,

:16:54. > :16:57.how much does that affect you? You have hit the nail on the head,

:16:58. > :17:01.normally when you run out in the Pro12 game, the managers are waiting

:17:02. > :17:07.in the stands, then you warm up with the Derby, the standard study full,

:17:08. > :17:11.you can feel the electricity, all of your friends playing in the

:17:12. > :17:16.opposition, for the regions, family and friends who support the other

:17:17. > :17:24.region so this is what it is all about. I hope there is a little bit

:17:25. > :17:30.of Nicol today. Perhaps in the realms of the game, it is brilliant

:17:31. > :17:36.for the Pro12. Excellent stuff, the atmosphere is electric. The teams

:17:37. > :17:44.are in the towel and coming onto the pitch, the Ospreys have won 11 from

:17:45. > :17:49.the past 14. The last time ended with a victory for the Scarlets this

:17:50. > :17:53.time last. Let us see who comes out on top this year. Enjoy the

:17:54. > :17:56.first-half with Gareth Giles and Jonathan Davies and Martyn Williams,

:17:57. > :18:04.as soon as he joins them. There will be a scramble for an

:18:05. > :18:11.eight seats, still a crowd waiting to get in. This is the pack from

:18:12. > :18:28.Bordeaux last week. The captain the only player uncapped. Eli Walker is

:18:29. > :18:33.a more than able deputy. We heard about Justin Tipuric in the back

:18:34. > :18:45.row, vast experience, with the captain, Alun Wyn Jones. They will

:18:46. > :18:53.be having a word with those team-mates, they know exactly what

:18:54. > :19:01.is needed from them. There will be a huge roar whenever Ken Owens emerges

:19:02. > :19:08.from the tunnel. Big Derby Day cried. Greeting the captain of the

:19:09. > :19:12.Scarlets. They are top of the table at Christmas time with just one

:19:13. > :19:20.defeat but they know that the Ospreys have turned things around.

:19:21. > :19:29.Ken Owens, back to lead the Scarlets. Lewis Rawlins parkers up

:19:30. > :19:35.in the second drug. And a second league game for Morgan Allen in

:19:36. > :19:48.number eight. Michael Collins moves Steff Evans to the wing. Alan Davies

:19:49. > :19:54.preferred in number nine. It is my privilege to say a very few words

:19:55. > :19:59.about a legendary performance... There will be one minute's silence

:20:00. > :20:07.in memory of Charlie Thomas, the former Scarlets prop. A very big

:20:08. > :20:13.favourite in the old Parc y Scarlets. He sadly passed away last

:20:14. > :20:19.week. And Eldon Phillips, the chaplain, saying a few words in

:20:20. > :20:31.Remembrance. For one of the front row favourites. With over 200 games

:20:32. > :20:41.in the Scarlets shirt. 18 tries in all...

:20:42. > :20:56.In 1982, he won his cup winners medal in 1976. ... A true Scarlets

:20:57. > :21:57.legend. Can we just have one minute's silence in respect.

:21:58. > :22:05.APPLAUSE. The referee's whistle brings an end

:22:06. > :22:13.to the silence in memory of Charlie Thomas and who better to have that

:22:14. > :22:20.whistle than Nigel Owens? He will be busy! There he is. The local answer

:22:21. > :22:24.to Father Christmas. He will be more nervous today and the World Cup

:22:25. > :22:30.final because living in the Scarlets region, spending a lot of time near

:22:31. > :22:37.the Ospreys training camp, so it is a big game for Nigel Owens and as

:22:38. > :22:40.usual, we expect the referee to do fantastically well in a good game.

:22:41. > :22:53.Good conditions, considering the weather. All set for a huge Boxing

:22:54. > :22:57.Day derby. This is what rugby is all about. Big crowd, big expectations.

:22:58. > :23:13.Can they deliver a big performance? Tom Habberfield, outside, it could

:23:14. > :23:18.not go direct to touch. Incomes Michael Collins. That was a good

:23:19. > :23:37.tech, it could have been anybody's ball.

:23:38. > :23:47.The first penalty goes against Scott Baldwin.

:23:48. > :23:56.I think this is too far out. The respective of where the wind is.

:23:57. > :24:00.Interesting to see what part the wind plays because in the car park

:24:01. > :24:06.earlier it was absolutely blowing a gale. It is much more settled

:24:07. > :24:12.inside. I think it will only be a problem if it blows above the stand.

:24:13. > :24:21.This is the first high ball. Columns take that well. The Welsh qualified

:24:22. > :24:27.Michael Collins. The high ball. It does hang in the wind. Taken by

:24:28. > :24:37.Scott Baldwin. I think that the wind favouring the Ospreys just a little

:24:38. > :24:39.bit is a factor. Dan Biggar, Dan Evans, actually. That was a good

:24:40. > :24:54.chase. Very good feet, Dan Evans. Evans, actually. That was a good

:24:55. > :25:02.Pressure. The RFU around Dan Evans. Ready to step into the scrum half.

:25:03. > :25:09.The pressure very much around the Ospreys in the opening stages to get

:25:10. > :25:15.that clearance. Eventually... Dan does just that. As soon as he gets

:25:16. > :25:23.the ball, the Scarlets fans are roaring. That is respect, that fear

:25:24. > :25:28.factor. Good play, good closing down of space by the Scarlets defenders,

:25:29. > :25:32.Dan Evans make some space himself, gives the forwards an opportunity

:25:33. > :25:39.and they know that Dan Evans favours the left foot. Both men pressurising

:25:40. > :25:47.immediately on that left foot. Options, and they played away.

:25:48. > :25:55.Inside comes Dmitri Arhip. Advantage to the Scarlets at the moment.

:25:56. > :26:09.Across the field. Should have been a scrum, it will be a penalty. The

:26:10. > :26:15.well, two penalties. -- oh, well. Morgan Allen. Interesting decision,

:26:16. > :26:31.the wind swirling and they have gone for the corner. This was the

:26:32. > :26:39.offence. There he is, from the side. But the greatest supply by a prop

:26:40. > :26:43.for, that. Given back initially. Berkeley very much in charge of the

:26:44. > :26:51.Scarlets. Pushing towards that touchline. They have to come back

:26:52. > :26:56.in, Rob Evans breaking away nicely. Just spilled that at the crucial

:26:57. > :26:59.moment. It did look like they worked away from the touchline towards the

:27:00. > :27:09.try line. And that just let him down.

:27:10. > :27:18.Such an important part of the game, the driving line-out. That was good

:27:19. > :27:25.defence by the Ospreys as well, forcing that into the touchline.

:27:26. > :27:31.They Scarlets have started this first five minutes very positively.

:27:32. > :27:36.It just shows the strength of the wind. Aled Thomas going for the

:27:37. > :27:48.touchline rather than the posts. It is very important that they try

:27:49. > :27:52.to get some points on the board, this will be a tight game and

:27:53. > :27:57.traditionally these games are just one score. They have to come away

:27:58. > :28:09.with something, particularly with wind advantage.

:28:10. > :28:17.A lot of ragging rights, as has been mentioned and a chance to impress

:28:18. > :28:27.with just the Six Nations around the corner.

:28:28. > :28:36.James King. Just about got down by John Barclay.

:28:37. > :28:49.Ben John. Getting the clearance kick in, columns. Taking that from the

:28:50. > :29:02.standing start. He did extremely well to hold onto that. And again,

:29:03. > :29:08.they have lost that. Putting Allan Thomas under pressure, confronted by

:29:09. > :29:20.Lloyd Ashley. Justin Tipuric, driven off it. David Strang to give van der

:29:21. > :29:28.Merwe the chase. You have to applaud the enterprise but sometimes with a

:29:29. > :29:32.good defensive chase, you just have to pick your opportunities as to

:29:33. > :29:38.when to run but I think the Scarlets might have to keep the ball in hand

:29:39. > :29:44.in the first half because it is difficult to kick the ball into this

:29:45. > :29:49.wind. Contrasting sides between these teams. The Scarlets looking to

:29:50. > :29:58.play the wide game, ever can. Good Hands by Dan Biggar. Brilliant. By

:29:59. > :30:02.Josh Matavesi. The ball would not set up for Dan Evans. Some lovely

:30:03. > :30:09.skills by Dan Biggar and Josh Matavesi. Too many knock-ons but

:30:10. > :30:14.great play. Just watch, the quick pass. Inside, outside. From the

:30:15. > :30:16.corner, gets the ball away, that is unfortunate for Dan Evans. Created

:30:17. > :30:28.from a poor pass. He has just started running with out

:30:29. > :30:38.the ball, just looked up, just spilt. Two years with the Scarlets

:30:39. > :30:46.before arriving at the Ospreys via the Dragons. Always that little bit

:30:47. > :30:52.of edge when you play against your former employers, former team.

:30:53. > :30:57.Morgan Allen, another one for the Scarlets who was not wanted by the

:30:58. > :31:01.Ospreys. Gareth Owen also cross the divide. It will be on his mind all

:31:02. > :31:12.week, all the players, just to prove a point. Didn't think I was good

:31:13. > :31:22.enough?! Have this! You have to temper that as well, not too much.

:31:23. > :31:32.He has opened his crackers, some new material!

:31:33. > :31:38.REFEREE: You need to play a part in this, I'm telling you now, go down

:31:39. > :31:40.again and you are going to go off, it is as simple as that. Get on with

:31:41. > :31:48.it! I think it is Arhip and Rob Evans on

:31:49. > :32:18.the other side of the scrum. So much movement there. Allen Davies

:32:19. > :32:20.couldn't get the ball in but he is away and running -- Aled Davies.

:32:21. > :32:33.Straightening up. The defence is out very quickly. He

:32:34. > :32:44.has done very well just to get beyond them. Evans slips into Ken

:32:45. > :32:49.Owens. Thrown to the floor by Arhip. Now a bit of space out by Parkes,

:32:50. > :32:57.straight out to Steff Evans. The winger is normally a fullback. Well

:32:58. > :33:04.covered by Habberfield. Davies, from Thomas, two Shingler.

:33:05. > :33:17.Ken Owens, great support. Jake Ball. A good tackle. Josh Matavesi flying

:33:18. > :33:21.into the second row. They are reeling very quickly, the Ospreys.

:33:22. > :33:26.Scarlets need to get the ball in a bit quicker. They managed to slow it

:33:27. > :33:34.down. It is going to go wide. Parkes over the top. Barkley gets the first

:33:35. > :33:39.try! Great pressure from the Scarlets. Despite the organisation

:33:40. > :33:47.of the Osprey defence, it is Barkley who gets over for another try.

:33:48. > :34:03.That is very, very well worked. That is a lovely ball. It is Parkes who

:34:04. > :34:09.lobs it over, very, very good play. That is the ball, that is the money

:34:10. > :34:15.ball, John Barclay takes it. They had the back row being out there.

:34:16. > :34:23.That is it, the extra man. It is a winger who is in there as well call

:34:24. > :34:29.--. He causes the team so much trouble when you keep the width like

:34:30. > :34:34.that in the attack. The overseas players bring to the Welsh game, the

:34:35. > :34:39.two we have seen there, Hadleigh Parkes and John Barclay, they do so

:34:40. > :34:43.much. Hadleigh Parkes has been a fantastic signing for the scholars.

:34:44. > :34:48.He has started every game this season. Five on the wing, four in

:34:49. > :34:52.the centre, looks equally comfortable. That is an excellent

:34:53. > :34:58.conversion from Aled Thomas. The Scarlets are rewarded from -- for

:34:59. > :35:11.their perseverance. Watch this player, watch him there.

:35:12. > :35:16.He calls him out, then all of a sudden he rushes back, get the

:35:17. > :35:20.quicker men on the outside, there is a big gap there, somebody rushes up,

:35:21. > :35:26.there is the extra man and there is a try. You have to get your quicker

:35:27. > :35:31.men on the outside. He was panicking there. He was, they just had to hold

:35:32. > :35:36.their line and work as a unit. Unfortunately they got themselves

:35:37. > :35:42.caught in the position of play. Good play from the Scarlets, they

:35:43. > :35:48.recognised that. A lovely pass on the forward scores. What they

:35:49. > :35:52.deserve. And what they don't want is to concede a penalty straightaway. I

:35:53. > :35:57.would like to see that one again. I think he has got that wrong. For me,

:35:58. > :36:00.Arhip went past the ball and then came back on the ball. It probably

:36:01. > :36:09.should have been a penalty for the Scarlets. Good tackle by Lydiate.

:36:10. > :36:20.He doesn't make many mistakes. I can't wait to see him.

:36:21. > :36:22.LAUGHTER I will send it to him on a DVD for

:36:23. > :36:33.Christmas! You could see Rollins wanting to

:36:34. > :36:56.place the ball back, but Arhip went past that space. -- Rawlins.

:36:57. > :37:00.That is what the Ospreys would have wanted, after conceding a try,

:37:01. > :37:16.getting something back immediately. That just shows how much of the

:37:17. > :37:22.opening quarter of an hour the Scarlets have had. Great following

:37:23. > :37:54.up by van der Merwe. Steff Evans straight back, for the

:37:55. > :37:56.Osprey fullback to pick a spot. I think the Scarlets will be happy

:37:57. > :38:05.with the play so far. Good header from Biggar, looking to

:38:06. > :38:15.where the space was. Well taken, good kick by van der

:38:16. > :38:33.Merwe. Aled Thomas puts it out. That took

:38:34. > :38:40.us back a few years. Both sides probably afraid to make a mistake in

:38:41. > :38:44.their own half. As I said at the start, the Scarlets want to maintain

:38:45. > :38:49.that momentum, or pick up the momentum after the European results.

:38:50. > :38:52.The Ospreys have taken the European form into the Pro12, the Six Nations

:38:53. > :39:06.coming up. Matavesi was offside. That is good

:39:07. > :39:19.communication I think with the assistant referees and Nigel Owens.

:39:20. > :39:26.This time Aled Thomas reckons it is within range. That touchline

:39:27. > :39:28.conversion would have given him a bit of confidence. See if he is

:39:29. > :39:37.offside here. Everyone is looking at Matavesi, but

:39:38. > :39:56.it is Ben John. Constant communication between Nigel

:39:57. > :40:39.Owens, Leighton Hodges and Wayne Davies.

:40:40. > :40:46.He got underneath it, but managed to get it over the crossbar. That is

:40:47. > :40:59.worth three points, and that is exactly what that is.

:41:00. > :41:10.It went clear and over easy, actually, very easy. He could have

:41:11. > :41:17.scuffed that. Safety first from Michael Collins. That worked out

:41:18. > :41:18.really well for the Ospreys, actually, it was a terrible

:41:19. > :41:28.kick-off! The Ospreys have not stamped their

:41:29. > :41:31.authority on the game, it has been all the Scarlets. I think the

:41:32. > :41:37.Scarlets have taken the game to them. They have come back half

:41:38. > :41:38.breaks. They have been making the most of that one opportunity that

:41:39. > :41:59.they had. They are sheared away from the

:42:00. > :42:09.original line-out. Great work. Good defence, as well. Alun Wyn Jones,

:42:10. > :42:15.Shingler and Ken Owens really managed to make a messy ball for the

:42:16. > :42:17.Ospreys from what was a really good line-out drive. They have to start

:42:18. > :42:35.again now from James King. James King has taken a bang. Alun

:42:36. > :42:39.Wyn Jones usually at the forefront of most things, productive for the

:42:40. > :42:47.Ospreys. Dan Evans, a little show and go. Habberfield picks out old

:42:48. > :42:53.win. The Scarlets are having to defend now. -- Baldwin. Good work

:42:54. > :42:59.from Shingler, although it has come forward.

:43:00. > :43:27.Oh, well, clear. Owen, he said he fell the wrong way, in Welsh,... I

:43:28. > :43:53.am glad you translated that one! Ken Owens got the tackle in. He

:43:54. > :44:14.tried to roll away, he says, but not quickly enough.

:44:15. > :44:19.In terms of possession, and also in terms of territory, the Ospreys need

:44:20. > :44:56.all the points they can. Picking up behind Dan Biggar as it

:44:57. > :45:01.sails through the post -- win. Here is the Scarlets team manager. You

:45:02. > :45:05.have had the best of the opening quarter, but are you happy it is

:45:06. > :45:10.enough? We have had a good start, it is good at the moment. Obviously

:45:11. > :45:12.with that try, but the Ospreys have had a good five minutes of

:45:13. > :45:19.possession but discipline has been pause we have two improve that. The

:45:20. > :45:24.atmosphere is fantastic. There are a lot of fans and a lot of Ospreys

:45:25. > :45:29.here, it is fantastic. What was the knock that Gareth Davies had? It was

:45:30. > :45:37.a calf strain. He didn't do most of the warm up, he wasn't good enough

:45:38. > :45:38.to carry on. Thanks, Cheers. The direction of the win is favouring

:45:39. > :45:49.the Ospreys. Morgan Allen was a good option.

:45:50. > :45:57.Keeping the ball in play. It was too tight.

:45:58. > :46:03.Ospreys not committing at the breakdown. They wanted to keep out

:46:04. > :46:05.wide and take the price previously. Both sides are really spoiling well

:46:06. > :46:18.at the break, slowing the ball. Barkley was there too quickly. It is

:46:19. > :46:22.interesting to say that the line speed is crucial, we will have to

:46:23. > :46:27.look at that where he was, the scrum-half, with the ball in his

:46:28. > :46:36.hands. I think it was the assistant referee calling for free play. A

:46:37. > :46:42.chance for the Scarlets to get back immediately that three points that

:46:43. > :46:50.the Ospreys just picked up. Leighton Hodges on the far side called it.

:46:51. > :46:54.Some great play from Hadleigh Parkes in midfield, upper body strength,

:46:55. > :46:59.stripped the ball from Lydiate, who was probably a bit over eager to

:47:00. > :47:04.make up for his mistake, and he was rightfully penalised there. That is

:47:05. > :47:10.tight again, that is. Very, very tight.

:47:11. > :47:15.If that is the case, you know, you have just got to slow it up a little

:47:16. > :47:29.bit. Every twice the Scarlets have

:47:30. > :47:33.managed to do that now. The Ospreys get a penalty, and within a couple

:47:34. > :47:44.of minutes, Aled Thomas scores an advantage. Here hears. -- here he

:47:45. > :47:48.is. Dan Lydiate will not be happy with that. That will be in the

:47:49. > :47:54.debrief section the next day. Here is Parkes, this time with the

:47:55. > :48:22.ball in hand. Scott Baldwin on halfway, he lost

:48:23. > :48:28.the ball, lost it forward. I thought he fell awkwardly then, they both

:48:29. > :48:43.went into that, John Barclay and Evans, fell into the tackle.

:48:44. > :48:50.It is that right wrist that John Barclay is looking at, and Dan Evans

:48:51. > :48:54.got a knock-on the side of the head. It is a wrist on the top of

:48:55. > :49:01.someone's head, that is usually what happens. Oh, I think that is just

:49:02. > :49:05.awkward. He has gone to the ground, both awkward, and he falls, gets

:49:06. > :49:13.below him in the tackle, just hit his wrist. He caught him on the on

:49:14. > :49:16.the way through as well, the Fai. It looks like Dan Evans's hip. -- the

:49:17. > :49:35.fiery. -- five. The one try they have had so far

:49:36. > :49:39.came from good work by the Scarlets, kept their shape and width well and

:49:40. > :49:43.created the space on the outside for John Barclay, who is now receiving a

:49:44. > :49:49.bit of treatment. Dan Evans with that year, he will suddenly go for

:49:50. > :49:58.the time being. Sam Davies, it is a 6-2 split on the bench for the this

:49:59. > :50:04.afternoon. -- for the Ospreys. Let's have a word from Sean Holley. Just a

:50:05. > :50:09.small technical defence point. The Ospreys are carrying the ball high,

:50:10. > :50:14.here is Hadleigh Parkes. This is a technique, they get both hands and

:50:15. > :50:17.they rip one arm away trying to dislodge the ball. Earlier Allen

:50:18. > :50:22.Turing but did exactly the same thing with Matavesi. It is ripped

:50:23. > :50:28.from loads of height. They practised this and notice it. The ball is

:50:29. > :50:33.carried by the Ospreys. This has a big influence on Rugby League, a big

:50:34. > :50:39.tackle in Rugby League, the six tackle all, only one-on-one, they

:50:40. > :50:42.try to steal ball. -- six tackle rule. That is unlucky for John

:50:43. > :50:48.Barclay, he has started every game this season. Eight of them at number

:50:49. > :50:58.eight and then back in his customary number seven slot last week. And

:50:59. > :51:00.this week he is replaced by the back row Jack Huntley who joined the

:51:01. > :51:23.Scarlets last year. Hanno Dirksen, there is plenty of

:51:24. > :51:29.power in his game. Tries to readjust to Lloyd Ashley outside him.

:51:30. > :51:43.Matavesi adds a bit of balance to the Ospreys back row. He is clever.

:51:44. > :51:52.Biggar, a nicely angled kick. A nicely worked kick as well. They

:51:53. > :52:00.have done pretty well. They could have had a throat then. -- throw. It

:52:01. > :52:10.was a great option, the Ospreys were going nowhere. It was side aside. A

:52:11. > :52:14.great kick. -- side to side. Another injury for the Scarlets. It is

:52:15. > :52:20.another forward down. So crucial that they win this one.

:52:21. > :52:32.Charged down. REFEREE: Charged down right of the line. I am surprised he

:52:33. > :52:38.threw that, it put the pressure on the scrum-half straightaway. It was

:52:39. > :52:43.one of those situations, he was coming down, the injury has probably

:52:44. > :52:49.had an impact, you have Lewis Rawlins, the other second row,

:52:50. > :52:56.standing where Samson Lee was. It was an interesting call. Aled Davies

:52:57. > :53:04.was behind the try line when he kicked, it is going to be an Ospreys

:53:05. > :53:10.scrum. John Barclay is a confirmed hand injury, and Ernie Levens is

:53:11. > :53:15.lodged rather than a head injury, so we can expect him to come back on.

:53:16. > :53:22.We also had a minute's silence for Charlie Thomas. Another Scarlets

:53:23. > :53:26.favourite, Mike Griffiths, he passed away just before Christmas, a very

:53:27. > :53:29.popular player, he played. On the as well. He was very popular. My

:53:30. > :53:41.condolences to his family. I just watched something very

:53:42. > :53:47.quickly. Here is a penalty from the Scarlets. The ball goes up, keep it

:53:48. > :53:54.going, stop it there. This is the defence. What you have to do then,

:53:55. > :53:58.you have to come on the inside, the Ospreys are trying to do it but the

:53:59. > :54:03.defence was not good enough. Hadleigh Parkes does well and gets

:54:04. > :54:06.over the line. The inside defence didn't work there, Hadleigh Parkes

:54:07. > :54:14.read it well and they had a good field position.

:54:15. > :54:21.It is the first really big scrum now. A couple have gone down

:54:22. > :54:25.earlier. They have been really messy so far.

:54:26. > :54:43.Bonus for them to get the put-in as well. The problem is you have got

:54:44. > :54:48.six guys who will do anything rather than go backwards, standing up,

:54:49. > :54:58.going down. I'm not sure what he is talking about there!

:54:59. > :55:19.Derksen is lurking to come in in the blindside wing,. He is so strong and

:55:20. > :55:25.he has driven over! Hanno Dirksen makes it look so, so simple. And

:55:26. > :55:39.they are back with a conversion to come. This is a very, very good

:55:40. > :55:44.scrum. Hanno Dirksen comes in. I'll tell you what, you have got to drop

:55:45. > :55:50.him there, if you drop him, it is over. But he keeps on his feet, good

:55:51. > :55:55.support from the back row. His elbow doesn't go down, the tackle is

:55:56. > :56:01.complete, and six behind him. He is such a powerful runner. He had a

:56:02. > :56:10.huge impact when he came off the bench. He really does run his

:56:11. > :56:13.weight. Very powerful. We thought Hanno Dirksen was on the ground, but

:56:14. > :56:24.his momentum kept going. He did get it over. Dan Biggar's

:56:25. > :56:28.conversion means that despite all the early possession from the

:56:29. > :56:32.Scarlets, it is all square as we approach the final ten minutes of

:56:33. > :56:37.the first half. You have to drop him in that position and put him on the

:56:38. > :56:45.ground, once you drop him that is it, you start again. Very good play

:56:46. > :56:52.by Hanno Dirksen. The first 20 Scarlets, at last ten, all Ospreys.

:56:53. > :56:59.Biggar, brilliant in the air, even though Collins was their first it

:57:00. > :57:01.was Biggar and came away with it. They like this corner at the moment

:57:02. > :57:14.do the Ospreys. Biggar is injured. It looks like he

:57:15. > :57:19.has got a dead leg, maybe. I think he got a kick on the thigh in a dead

:57:20. > :57:30.leg, he is going to try and run back off because he -- if he stiffens up

:57:31. > :57:34.then he is off. We have heard from the Scarlets, let's hear from the

:57:35. > :57:39.Ospreys, Phil has got more company. You must be reasonably pleased to be

:57:40. > :57:45.13-13 given the fact it was all Scarlets barely an? Yes, it was,

:57:46. > :57:51.there was a bit of passion -- earlier on. What about that win, it

:57:52. > :57:57.is favouring due at the moment, is that a factor? It is blustery, and

:57:58. > :57:58.more importantly, it determines where you get the ball and what you

:57:59. > :58:08.can do with it. Cheers. The crowd are silenced after early

:58:09. > :58:26.exuberance. Sam Davies, a temporary replacement

:58:27. > :58:32.for Dan Evans. A really good chase. Good kick as well with Collins. Com

:58:33. > :58:42.B is the one that comes away with it -- good take. -- con B. Hadleigh

:58:43. > :58:50.Parkes, that is a good effort. Yes, it is. Sam Davies has time.

:58:51. > :58:58.What can the Scarlets do from here? Plenty of advice from the stands for

:58:59. > :59:10.Michael Collins! They are holding up here. Slipped away.

:59:11. > :59:19.REFEREE: Elbow is clearly on the ground please. I thought he was

:59:20. > :59:25.going to get turned over then. He will be disappointed with that. He

:59:26. > :59:31.was isolated for a split second. Just didn't get in the right body

:59:32. > :59:38.position. He is 50-50 in the contact area.

:59:39. > :59:52.He has done really well. Just got isolated. Just two men, he gets

:59:53. > :59:59.lost, if you look his foot is in, his elbows on the ground and a

:00:00. > :00:01.rightful penalty to the Scarlets. Shingler is the go to man in the

:00:02. > :00:10.Scarlets line-out. Gallup Davies, lovely step. -- Alex

:00:11. > :00:36.Davies. Morgan Allen. Beckett comes again.

:00:37. > :00:50.Stuttering. Trying to get some impetus back to the Scarlets attack.

:00:51. > :00:56.Lewis Rawlins, he has done well. They head down charge from the

:00:57. > :01:08.skipper. Aled Davies calling for war effort. The Scarlets have to keep

:01:09. > :01:25.their width. Gareth Owen trying to time his run. Alun Wyn Jones. That

:01:26. > :01:33.was a good, quick ball. Good defence from the Ospreys, though. Can they

:01:34. > :01:41.keep it going? Jack Condy is still going! He turns once more! Aled

:01:42. > :01:48.Davies tries to go over. And he has managed to do so. Their mate have

:01:49. > :01:53.been meant I tried but he did not need them, Scarlets have kept their

:01:54. > :02:08.head and a birdie warded with a try for Aled Davies. -- there might have

:02:09. > :02:12.been meant out wide. -- men. He paves the way, Aled Davies, he can

:02:13. > :02:23.place the ball in any traction. Jack Condy. That is very good play.

:02:24. > :02:32.One-on-one. Dmitri Arhip. And he has cut defeat to beat him. Kwik-Fit.

:02:33. > :02:49.Jack Condy did exceptionally well to give Aled Davies the opportunity.

:02:50. > :03:14.Very good step, one on one. Just keep it going. Stop it, there. This

:03:15. > :03:21.is the space and we have to watch this man and what he does, he just

:03:22. > :03:25.goes over, one-on-one. And where he Leeds that gap, his course. -- he

:03:26. > :03:50.Leeds. Dan Evans back on the field. It is Allan Thomas, looking to

:03:51. > :03:57.become first in the queue. He looks to the safety of the touchline. Dan

:03:58. > :04:04.Evans going to ground. He doesn't make a fuss, he was slipping. That

:04:05. > :04:11.was good refereeing. Everybody agrees. Dan Evans not making a meal

:04:12. > :04:24.of it. That was good play from everyone. Just watch. He is going

:04:25. > :04:34.down. Fair play. It is a penalty, but he is coming down, he slips, he

:04:35. > :04:41.catches him. The tackle the size I shall go back to the original

:04:42. > :04:46.penalty because it is no advantage. That is a good escape route for

:04:47. > :04:57.Nigel Owens. Back to the original penalty. It is going to be back in

:04:58. > :05:04.the same position. Back in the same area that Dan Evans went into from

:05:05. > :05:14.the other side of the field. I cannot clear the advantage because

:05:15. > :05:25.of the high tackle. No advantage has been called.

:05:26. > :05:32.So, two minutes of the first half left to go. And the first half has

:05:33. > :05:38.given us a lot of what we wanted. Yes, a very good first half, very

:05:39. > :05:45.big first two minutes for the Ospreys. The Scarlets have to look

:05:46. > :05:53.at it and if it is not a try, you put three points over. That was good

:05:54. > :05:56.cleaning up from Jack Condy. If nothing comes from it, you take

:05:57. > :06:06.those three points and go and have a cup of tea. Dan Lydiate, with the

:06:07. > :06:13.help of Hanno Dirksen. Superbly done. Brilliant play from Alun Wyn

:06:14. > :06:18.Jones. Here comes Justin Tipuric. Hanno Dirksen! Crake running.

:06:19. > :06:29.Eventually finding too many defenders. He was nearly free. Dan

:06:30. > :06:39.Biggar, Josh Matavesi, deep pass to Ben John. The Ospreys are trying to

:06:40. > :06:48.get something with one minute left. It has been that kind of battle.

:06:49. > :07:01.King. Back by Jack Condy. Jack Condy smashed it.

:07:02. > :07:13.I think it is Dan Lydiate on the ground? No, it is James King. He has

:07:14. > :07:18.taken a few bumps. He has put himself on the line. That was

:07:19. > :07:24.brilliant by Jack Condy. He got smashed, I think that is the yellow

:07:25. > :07:33.card. Just watch, off-loads, plenty of time to pull out. That is the

:07:34. > :07:39.yellow card. I don't care. Is some kind of telepathy between you and

:07:40. > :07:48.Nigel Owens? There are Google! There must be some kind of telepathy!

:07:49. > :07:56.Every time Nigel Owens, Sean Fitzpatrick, he texts me and says,

:07:57. > :08:03.are you refereeing again? Fair call, he has got time to pull out, that is

:08:04. > :08:09.a late tackle and a yellow card. Great work by Jack Condy before him

:08:10. > :08:31.but that was late and unnecessary. You have to pull back in the tackle.

:08:32. > :08:39.That decision, yellow card, ten minutes, and an opportunity for the

:08:40. > :08:48.Ospreys to get something before half-time.

:08:49. > :09:02.Jake will have ten minutes to think about what he has done. He has been

:09:03. > :09:08.in the wars! Happy Christmas! The Scarlets not contesting. Wanting to

:09:09. > :09:14.keep as many as possible ready for the next wave of attack. Led by Ben

:09:15. > :09:18.John. They will not go wide until they have to, they will get

:09:19. > :09:28.something from this, tropical, exactly what the Scarlets should

:09:29. > :09:32.have done. -- drop ball. And the defence was passive, if the Scarlets

:09:33. > :09:35.are not going to get stuck in aggressively, they will get over the

:09:36. > :09:42.gain line. Slowly but surely towards the try line. James King, hangs onto

:09:43. > :09:50.that position. Dan Biggar is ready. In the pocket. Forward once more.

:09:51. > :09:59.And there is plenty still ready to do so. Dan Biggar, waiting

:10:00. > :10:06.patiently, quite happy for the forwards to do their bit. Double

:10:07. > :10:09.bluff. Dan Evans, their John, trying to get onto the outside of Rob

:10:10. > :10:18.Evans. Could have been isolated in midfield. Play on, he did not give

:10:19. > :10:22.the pass. James within ten metres the Scarlets try line. They are

:10:23. > :10:30.looking for a try to end things level. There is a man on the

:10:31. > :10:40.outside, Ben John! They had to give it! Eli Walker could have romped

:10:41. > :10:50.home. Alun Wyn Jones stretching. It will go to the TMI. They don't need

:10:51. > :10:55.that, it is on the line. They had a stiff, yellow card when the Scarlets

:10:56. > :11:00.should have played that, taken three points, now the Ospreys were back in

:11:01. > :11:05.it, typical Ospreys, they'd just knuckle down, get over the line,

:11:06. > :11:16.keep on going and that is on the line, that is a great try from Alun

:11:17. > :11:22.Wyn Jones. Alun Wyn Jones has brought his side right back. That

:11:23. > :11:28.says it all. Moment of madness, he gets in, they build on it and that

:11:29. > :11:36.is a try against 14 men but what of Berlin first half of rugby. If he

:11:37. > :11:41.kicks this, 20 all, brilliant. Amazing what a full crowd does to a

:11:42. > :11:44.player. It makes such a big difference when the ground -- the

:11:45. > :12:03.crowd is full. This to end things all square.

:12:04. > :12:12.That'll do nicely for Dan Biggar. And for the Ospreys. It has been

:12:13. > :12:21.Scarlets, Ospreys, and given the time of year, I suppose it is ding

:12:22. > :12:28.dong merrily on high! All square after 40 minutes, Ken Owens talking

:12:29. > :12:33.to Nigel Owens as he walks off the field, hopefully he will talk to as

:12:34. > :12:38.well. Cracking first half for the neutral but argue annoyed you have

:12:39. > :12:45.let the Ospreys back? Definitely, lack of discipline, but it is a

:12:46. > :12:50.great Derby suffer. How worrying is that yellow card? It was

:12:51. > :13:02.disappointing but we can tidy that up. Have a good Satsuma. The

:13:03. > :13:06.Scarlets captain. Here is the recap. It is a festive Derby and a full

:13:07. > :13:11.house. It was always going to be a cracker and this first half is

:13:12. > :13:16.proving that. John Barclay crossing for an early score. That was his

:13:17. > :13:23.last contribution as he left not long after. The Ospreys coming right

:13:24. > :13:28.back. Hanno Dirksen showing pure power to level the scores at any

:13:29. > :13:31.Scarlets seized the initiative and some neat footwork at the end of

:13:32. > :13:37.this multiphase attack. Davis speaking over the line but Jake Ball

:13:38. > :13:41.saw yellow for that late challenge and it seemed to turn the tide. Many

:13:42. > :13:45.phases from the Ospreys in attack and eventually Alun Wyn Jones

:13:46. > :13:50.crossing for the try. Nigel Owens thought about going upstairs but the

:13:51. > :13:53.ball was on the line and he awarded the tried and it is 20 all at

:13:54. > :13:58.half-time. Very even on the statistics. The Scarlets were

:13:59. > :14:04.shading it but before that new set of phases from the Ospreys, it is

:14:05. > :14:10.53% for the Ospreys. Eight tackles missed each. Roughly the same amount

:14:11. > :14:15.made. The Scarlets had to make a lot in those last few phases. It seems

:14:16. > :14:23.like the pendulum is swinging in favour of the Scarlets -- Ospreys?

:14:24. > :14:26.Back and forth, brilliant. That last bit for me was brilliant from the

:14:27. > :14:33.Ospreys, the best Welsh region for so long for that reason, they kept

:14:34. > :14:38.their composure, went through the phases and Alun Wyn Jones went over.

:14:39. > :14:42.Brilliant Derby, it is amazing what happens with a bit of atmosphere.

:14:43. > :14:46.Cracking first half so far. We will go for the tries in order, lots to

:14:47. > :14:51.get through, that John Barclay one at the top of the programme, you

:14:52. > :14:54.said how the Scarlets were trying to play wide early and get those

:14:55. > :15:00.forwards into those wide channels and that is exactly what happened?

:15:01. > :15:05.Very smart start, the kicking game, they chipped it over the top. It was

:15:06. > :15:08.quite smart and then they went dragged and got their first scorer

:15:09. > :15:14.and Berkeley was lurking where they thought he would. Great approach

:15:15. > :15:20.play, the Ospreys spotting a little bit on the block runners, Eli

:15:21. > :15:25.Walker, but is it great pass. And a good one but it does get across the

:15:26. > :15:30.gain line. Great to see Rob Evans and Ken Owens around the fringes.

:15:31. > :15:34.That little off-load close to the line shows great confidence in the

:15:35. > :15:41.way they have been playing and that is again a good pass, Eli Walker

:15:42. > :15:46.spots him but as I said, they get those dividends. Great start from

:15:47. > :15:51.the Scarlets. Fantastic start and the man who threw that scoring pass

:15:52. > :15:56.is another person who you spoke about at the start of the programme.

:15:57. > :16:03.Under the radar signing. And proving to be very shrewd? Brilliant

:16:04. > :16:07.signing. Not one of the household names from New Zealand, nobody was

:16:08. > :16:14.sure about who he was but huge influence. Lots of talk about Regan

:16:15. > :16:19.King coming back but he has been the standard player for the past 12

:16:20. > :16:23.months, Hadleigh Parkes. Williams and Davis coming back but he has had

:16:24. > :16:28.an outstanding first-half. Pretty versatile, he can play on the wing,

:16:29. > :16:36.Phil back, let us look at what else he has contributed. It was Dan

:16:37. > :16:41.Biggar, typical injury, left the gap, he is a typical Kiwi, he makes

:16:42. > :16:47.the right decisions at the right time and all of those basic skills.

:16:48. > :16:54.Fantastic influence and he has been a huge edition and John Barclay is a

:16:55. > :16:59.big loss. I think in the second half, the lack of an out and out

:17:00. > :17:04.signing for the Scarlets could come back to bite them. You are good at

:17:05. > :17:06.this coaching lark because he did verdict that the Scarlets would get

:17:07. > :17:12.into those wide channels and when the Ospreys got into that 22 they

:17:13. > :17:20.would go direct and change and that is exactly what happened! Steve

:17:21. > :17:25.Tandy played over 100 games for the Ospreys and he can play in any style

:17:26. > :17:29.but when you see at the end of that first-half, they are very direct,

:17:30. > :17:32.they know what they want, from this first scrum and the attacking

:17:33. > :17:36.position, a good scrum from the Ospreys, there was only one way they

:17:37. > :17:43.would go. Hanno Dirksen other start, this is why, Josh Matavesi going

:17:44. > :17:49.into that first contest with Justin Tipuric. He has planned this move.

:17:50. > :17:55.Was he brought to ground? He does hit the ground with one of his knees

:17:56. > :17:58.but he was not held by Allan Thomas. The second holds them up and he is

:17:59. > :18:04.not brought to ground. Legitimate try. Hanno Dirksen was another man

:18:05. > :18:10.you mentioned against Bordeaux last week. He made a real impact. Not the

:18:11. > :18:20.silk used player but he is brutally powerful. Very similar player to

:18:21. > :18:24.Jeff Hassler. He does run hard. The flip side was that was a very good

:18:25. > :18:29.carry but the poor defence from the Scarlets. Both of those halfbacks,

:18:30. > :18:35.yes big carrier but you have to get on the floor and stop it. Aled

:18:36. > :18:42.Davies, I stink Gareth Davies for that start, he was the man who

:18:43. > :18:48.scored that third try and they need to footwork to get him over the

:18:49. > :18:54.line? Lots of talent on that position here. Jack Condy had a

:18:55. > :19:00.great effort, look at that fight, this is what you want from young

:19:01. > :19:06.players, drive, fight, battling. As a coach, if he does not score there,

:19:07. > :19:11.he is having it at half-time! Pretty poor defending from Ben John, that

:19:12. > :19:17.was too high, then Sam Davies, another one, Eli Walker, floundering

:19:18. > :19:21.at the end and at the top of the screen, they were screaming for the

:19:22. > :19:27.overlap and he has to score but unfortunately for the Scarlets, he

:19:28. > :19:31.does. And then Alun Wyn Jones on the stroke of half-time, Jake Ball with

:19:32. > :19:37.the card, we wondered if that would make an impact and it did. The

:19:38. > :19:44.Ospreys did this. I think it was right call as well. As I said, for

:19:45. > :19:54.me, they look like they were setting up for the tropical. -- drop ball.

:19:55. > :20:01.They kept their composure. That man again. As he does, coming up with

:20:02. > :20:06.the goods just the composure, do not panic. Don't take that snapshot

:20:07. > :20:12.under pressure, keep the ball and eventually the numbers were up. That

:20:13. > :20:17.yellow card can be a huge turning point. 15 phases, that last attack

:20:18. > :20:25.from the Ospreys. Patience is a virtue. Phil Steele is on the

:20:26. > :20:34.touchline. Thank you for your time. Medical update? Going good, I am on

:20:35. > :20:38.track. I was training hard with the physio and I hope to Iraq in April.

:20:39. > :20:43.In time for judgment today and for the Scarlets, the play-offs?

:20:44. > :20:53.Hopefully, the boys are going well. If they make play-offs. Yes, still a

:20:54. > :20:57.long way to go. You would never have been allowed back to Newcastle? I

:20:58. > :21:02.think there would have been some eggs through! I have always wanted

:21:03. > :21:07.to play for Scarlets so I am happy to be here for another two years.

:21:08. > :21:11.What about this game? Were talking about playing in front of a full

:21:12. > :21:17.house. Yes, this is a game you are looking out for. It is great to see

:21:18. > :21:21.so many. You wish it was like this every week but yes, the buyers are

:21:22. > :21:27.going well, it is close and the second half will be exciting. I

:21:28. > :21:31.think they will be talking about this in the changing room, that

:21:32. > :21:38.yellow card, couple of penalties, you cannot afford to give boys like

:21:39. > :21:47.Dan Biggar shots article. Well done in 2015, and hope next year is even

:21:48. > :21:52.better. All the best to him. It might be a Christmas cracker but we

:21:53. > :21:57.have another 40 minutes. But that is not all that is coming forward your

:21:58. > :22:08.way this Christmas. Episode two coming up...

:22:09. > :22:20.Big opening drive over. They have kept it! The man on the outside.

:22:21. > :22:26.They do not need him. They get revenge for that Boxing Day defeat.

:22:27. > :22:35.The battle of the East tomorrow in club rugby. The Dragons and the

:22:36. > :22:39.Blues. And we're back on New Year's Day at 1:45pm. The Ospreys welcome

:22:40. > :22:44.the Dragons to the Liberty Stadium and make sure you tune in to the

:22:45. > :22:49.sports review of the year at 4pm, also on New Year's Day and if you

:22:50. > :22:56.have any plans to go out, cancel them, you can complete the triple

:22:57. > :23:01.bill in the evening... It is hammer and tongs on the pitch but despite

:23:02. > :23:10.the focus on the Christmas derbies, the players have had little time to

:23:11. > :23:13.indulge in a little festive cheer. All four regions took some time out

:23:14. > :23:22.from the Christmas training to spread some festive cheer to those

:23:23. > :23:27.less fortunate. It is tough over the Christmas period but we're bringing

:23:28. > :23:30.around some chocolates and a colouring book and it puts a smile

:23:31. > :23:34.on your face and that means a lot to us, to make them feel a little

:23:35. > :23:38.better. Festive cheer was an generous supply between the regions

:23:39. > :23:49.in the period before the battle lines were drawn. Further back, stop

:23:50. > :24:04.cheating! I sell you boys playing! There you go. Perfect. Which of the

:24:05. > :24:12.reindeer has bad manners? Rude Dolph! Good banter between the teams

:24:13. > :24:17.in the gut together for that Christmas should but it is not like

:24:18. > :24:24.that on the field, another has not been any out and out really? It has

:24:25. > :24:29.been full on and physical, that incident with Jake Ball but apart

:24:30. > :24:32.from that, it has been quality, lots of quality and the first ten minutes

:24:33. > :24:39.had basic mistakes but lots of positives. The wind having a big

:24:40. > :24:44.factor in the second half. We felt the Ospreys were going into it so

:24:45. > :24:48.they should have it at their back. Dan Evans and Dan Biggar on the

:24:49. > :24:53.field, they will be kicking. Who will win? I have to go with the

:24:54. > :24:58.Ospreys, the Scarlets have thrown everything at them in the first-half

:24:59. > :25:02.but discipline was poor towards the end and they just have that look and

:25:03. > :25:08.that strength about them. I think the Ospreys will pull away with this

:25:09. > :25:12.one. We can rejoin Jonathan Davies and Gareth Charles in the commentary

:25:13. > :25:15.box and Martyn Williams is on his way to join them.

:25:16. > :25:25.One changed in the interval, Dan Baker is on for James King. No

:25:26. > :25:34.wonder, with the punishment that he took in the first-half. At 40

:25:35. > :25:43.minutes of hard graft, nothing separating them. That finish from

:25:44. > :25:49.the Ospreys typifies what they are all about. Two tries, particularly

:25:50. > :26:04.the first one from the Scarlets, typifies what they are all about.

:26:05. > :26:11.Dan Evans. And Dan Biggar, getting his first touch. I think both sides

:26:12. > :26:14.look very comfortable with ball in hand, they will want to put some

:26:15. > :26:25.width on it. Playing with more space.

:26:26. > :26:39.Alan Davies has been charged down. Tom Habberfield to Dan Evans. Again,

:26:40. > :26:41.loose ball. The Ospreys putting themselves under pressure in the

:26:42. > :26:46.opening few minutes of the second half and that pressure results in a

:26:47. > :26:58.penalty or the Scarlets, straight in front. The shredder for the

:26:59. > :27:03.Scarlets. -- for the Scarlets. They were not happy -- be happy with that

:27:04. > :27:09.because they put themselves under pressure. The next thing, three

:27:10. > :27:17.points, they get their noses in front again.

:27:18. > :27:26.He is so isolated! They are all over him, hanging on, hanging on. There

:27:27. > :27:33.was not much you could do. He does his best to get up. I think you took

:27:34. > :27:37.those three points on the chin! Watching the video analysis on

:27:38. > :27:51.Monday, they will be happy they have just taken that 3-point penalty.

:27:52. > :28:02.Just about! It was a funny one for Thomas. There is a huge sigh of

:28:03. > :28:28.relief and a big smile that he has put the Scarlets back in front.

:28:29. > :28:41.He has lost that, knock-on. Just a couple of errors in the first couple

:28:42. > :28:42.of minutes by both teams. Not securing the possession as they

:28:43. > :29:01.would have wanted. The last two scrums have been much

:29:02. > :29:08.better, lads. Tom Habberfield in the number nine shirt and Brendon

:29:09. > :29:16.Goddard has just become a father over Christmas so congratulations to

:29:17. > :29:29.him. He will be back in good spirits for the New Year.

:29:30. > :29:42.Keep the space. Yes. Bit of English, but of Welsh from Nigel. No

:29:43. > :29:57.Moldovan, though! Down they go, they can

:29:58. > :30:04.play-the-ball. Matavesi, to Habberfield. That is very, very good

:30:05. > :30:18.play and turnover. Matavesi just sort the turnover and

:30:19. > :30:28.dropped back into position. Dan Evans is caught up in it. Clever

:30:29. > :30:29.play. He plugged the gap. Collins previously won the ball. He found

:30:30. > :30:43.the space. He created the overlap, one-on-one,

:30:44. > :30:44.closed the space down, was not allowed the pass to Dirksen and then

:30:45. > :30:57.turned over. Very good play. That is Dan Evans's last

:30:58. > :31:06.contribution to the game. Sam Davies comes on a second time. We saw when

:31:07. > :31:12.he came on in previous games, his kicking game has been instrumental

:31:13. > :31:17.in winning games. So, it will be interesting to see what effect he

:31:18. > :31:22.has. We saw him last week in France, Sam Davies and Dan Biggar had the

:31:23. > :31:29.plate 10-12 week as Matavesi pulled out with a calf injury. He is

:31:30. > :31:34.brilliant at kicking the ball, a different player to Dan Evans, he

:31:35. > :31:39.won man of the match. And he was there just in the second half. They

:31:40. > :31:44.have both given away possession, the two number five is, back to the

:31:45. > :31:52.Ospreys. Shingler is injured as well, on the deck.

:31:53. > :32:00.Scarlets trying to hang on before Jake Ball comes back on. Dirksen

:32:01. > :32:08.brought down by Collins, holding onto the ball on the floor. Very

:32:09. > :32:13.well played by Gareth Owen, that is. That is what has won the Scarlets

:32:14. > :32:19.the penalty. There is a slight lament shift in this game, the

:32:20. > :32:24.Ospreys fallout, -- momentum shift. They have got to respond positively.

:32:25. > :32:29.When Alun Wyn Jones scored the try at the end of the first half, the

:32:30. > :32:34.defence went a bit passive and they kept on and on, if you are going

:32:35. > :32:42.forward, they are not going to stop. Scholars forward have got to really

:32:43. > :32:46.be upfront -- Scarlets forwards. The way the Scarlets are carrying a few

:32:47. > :32:53.injuries and knocks at the moment, they are looking at the bench and

:32:54. > :32:57.seeing Jack Condy, Tom Price, and the other front row forwards.

:32:58. > :33:22.Jake Ball is back on the field. Scarlets back to 15.

:33:23. > :33:29.That means in or out in Welsh! I feel like the person on subtitles

:33:30. > :33:34.here! You know everything, no? Straight

:33:35. > :33:49.out... They have cranked it up, the

:33:50. > :33:57.Ospreys, little bit. They are forcing errors out of the Scarlets.

:33:58. > :34:02.I think that wind as well seems to be in the face of the Scarlets.

:34:03. > :34:18.Craig Evans that. They are going down that ten

:34:19. > :34:25.channel. Gareth Thomas hanging on for dear life. A great tackle. This

:34:26. > :34:32.is good pressure from the Ospreys. They are working up the heart of the

:34:33. > :34:37.Scarlets defence. It is not fancy, but it is effective so far. Tipuric

:34:38. > :34:42.can go round the corner. Alun Wyn Jones, same again from him.

:34:43. > :34:52.Baldwin is the one who picks up. Lydiate again, hard yards from these

:34:53. > :34:58.springs forwards. James, legs pumping, only five yards out.

:34:59. > :35:05.It is just too easy at the moment, they are getting it over the gain

:35:06. > :35:10.line so easily. The Scarlets are out muscled at the minute. Same again

:35:11. > :35:19.for the Ospreys. This is working a treat at the moment. Biggar... The

:35:20. > :35:23.angle comes back for Matavesi. The ball is for the Scarlets! Van der

:35:24. > :35:29.Merwe takes on Dirksen. Dirksen brings him down. The defence by the

:35:30. > :35:40.Osprey winger. Takes out Sam Davies illegally.

:35:41. > :35:48.This is what the Scarlets have to do, Lucinda is game up. Two very

:35:49. > :35:54.contrasting styles now. Power from the Ospreys, Scarlets looking for

:35:55. > :36:00.pace and space. REFEREE: The ball is out. That could be a huge momentum

:36:01. > :36:03.shift in the game. Ospreys were totally dominating the Scarlets

:36:04. > :36:33.pack. That is in the bread basket, that

:36:34. > :36:38.is. It was in the gap. I think he was in there. Lydiate did everything

:36:39. > :36:48.necessary. He was in the breadbasket and knows where the reaction of

:36:49. > :36:55.Matavesi is. A 14 point, Scarlets can take advantage.

:36:56. > :37:12.Ospreys' defences more aggressive as well. -- defence is.

:37:13. > :37:25.Have that! Play an... Aled Thomas did enough to prevent a brick

:37:26. > :37:31.turning it over. Ball is down now. He is hobbling badly, that left

:37:32. > :37:37.knee. He looks in a deal of trouble. That is Gareth Owen.

:37:38. > :37:56.You have seen those penalties and yellow cards given. The crowd react,

:37:57. > :37:59.the guys want to see it again. I have got to be honest, his shoulder

:38:00. > :38:07.has gone into the ground first there. Again, full speed. Slow

:38:08. > :38:11.motion always makes it look worse, but you can definitely see a

:38:12. > :38:22.penalty. I am not sure. I don't know if he deserves it.

:38:23. > :38:31.Full From behind his left leg... I think

:38:32. > :38:36.it is a penalty, not a yellow card, he hasn't put him down safely, that

:38:37. > :38:44.for me is the key, he just let go of the tackle and he has fallen on his

:38:45. > :38:48.shoulder. REFEREE: My initial thought is that his leg was up a

:38:49. > :38:53.bit, it is more a do that you just bring him down, you need to bring

:38:54. > :38:58.him down safely. It is going to be a penalty this time. Careful with the

:38:59. > :39:04.tackles. Is that fair enough? BOOING

:39:05. > :39:09.I think that is good referee again. A few thousand don't agree with you,

:39:10. > :39:16.but there you go! They don't know where he lives anyway!

:39:17. > :39:24.The differences, the Scarlets have been down twice now and they should

:39:25. > :39:33.take six points. You don't want to lose Jake Ball. Strap him up! Do

:39:34. > :39:36.everything you can... He is not looking good, though. He is

:39:37. > :39:43.struggling with the left knee and walking rather gingerly. It is

:39:44. > :39:56.probably the worst day of pardons for you! -- puns. Aled Thomas puts

:39:57. > :40:03.over another penalty. The Scarlets are six points ahead.

:40:04. > :40:08.I think we are all over dating on the Christmas crackers! --

:40:09. > :40:23.overdosing. Jake Ball, he doesn't look

:40:24. > :40:28.comfortable. This is a good tactic by the Ospreys, put it on Jake Ball

:40:29. > :40:32.when he is struggling. Aled Davies is very determined, so determined,

:40:33. > :40:40.Gareth Owen is providing the cover for him.

:40:41. > :40:51.That gives Aled Thomas a chance to get underneath it. Habberfield

:40:52. > :40:57.hadn't got that down. -- down to earth. Plenty of spice around.

:40:58. > :41:08.Sam Davies just held back on it a little bit. That is too far, a

:41:09. > :41:16.chance to counterattack. Samson Lee get the hit. Sam Davies wasn't quite

:41:17. > :41:21.sure, was he going to keep Ben John out on the wing or bring him in on

:41:22. > :41:26.an angle? There is an opportunity there for Sam Davies to have a crack

:41:27. > :41:30.at Jake Ball. If he goes on the outside, but Ken Owens looked after

:41:31. > :41:36.Jake Ball very well. I still think he is struggling, he is not

:41:37. > :41:41.comfortable. That is going to be split-second timing.

:41:42. > :41:48.If that had been the other way around, the crowd would have gone

:41:49. > :42:03.berserk. There is nothing like a good old partisan home crowd!

:42:04. > :42:21.It is a free kick, so they can't go direct to touch.

:42:22. > :42:27.That is a good kick from Sam Davies. I think the wind is coming across

:42:28. > :42:43.the field now. Biggar, there is his favoured

:42:44. > :42:48.tactic. This time he couldn't get their quite quickly enough. It is a

:42:49. > :43:01.brilliant following up from Arhip. Morgan Allen. You could throw a

:43:02. > :43:03.blanket over the Scarlets, they have got to keep their width now, that is

:43:04. > :43:19.OK. Oh, what is the crowd reaction now?

:43:20. > :43:27.He was offside anyway, Steff Evans, and he knew it.

:43:28. > :43:40.As he said they're coming he stopped, then he kept on going. --

:43:41. > :44:12.as he said there, he stopped. That was miles in front, it was in

:44:13. > :44:17.Canada! And he knew it. Then he stopped. As soon as they

:44:18. > :44:23.play-the-ball, he carries on. That is so disappointing for the Ospreys.

:44:24. > :44:27.But that is the line-out. Jake Ball, it is always brave to go up when you

:44:28. > :44:37.know the opposition are going to drive.

:44:38. > :44:50.Now then! Got to go... Hadleigh Parkes does very well. Van der Merwe

:44:51. > :44:56.against Dirksen. Not one for the faint-hearted. That is a very clever

:44:57. > :45:03.kick. Good drive by van der Merwe. Now covered by the Ospreys. They

:45:04. > :45:10.care in his own. He did that perfectly -- Waco. A chance to go

:45:11. > :45:14.now. Matavesi puts it downfield. Aled Thomas.

:45:15. > :45:26.Matavesi over the ball. REFEREE: Play the advantage. He has got it.

:45:27. > :45:32.Lovely pop from Baldwin and he is in!

:45:33. > :45:42.That was brilliant by Dmitri Arhip. There are very few quicker than Eli

:45:43. > :45:47.Walker outside, and he finished off, to put the Ospreys within a

:45:48. > :45:50.conversion of going ahead. And this is all about making the right

:45:51. > :45:57.decision at the right time, this comes down to Aled Thomas, whether

:45:58. > :46:01.you run or not. Just turning over Matavesi, he goes down, Baldwin of

:46:02. > :46:06.load, then he thinks, oh, I could go here. Ken Owens, he is tracking him

:46:07. > :46:12.down, he commits to the tackle, once he has committed to the tackle, he

:46:13. > :46:17.is never going to catch Eli Walker. Brilliant from Matavesi. I was

:46:18. > :46:22.hoping he would go all the way! He is down on his knee, they need to

:46:23. > :46:28.get some oxygen on him because that is the furthest he has sprinted in a

:46:29. > :46:34.long, long time! A brilliant effort. Maybe go back to the start. Aled

:46:35. > :46:38.Thomas looks up, counterattacks, the guys he sees in front of him, Jones

:46:39. > :46:45.and Tipuric, they cause the turnover. I take that back, he is

:46:46. > :46:48.actually limping off. Has he pulled something in that effort? I didn't

:46:49. > :47:00.know he had a hamstring! Superbly done by Daniel Biggar. For

:47:01. > :47:09.the first time, the Ospreys go ahead. The first time they have gone

:47:10. > :47:13.ahead, psychologically for the Scarlets, 20 minutes left, what a

:47:14. > :47:19.great game of rugby, a brilliant, brilliant game. Two front row

:47:20. > :47:33.forwards, great support. There is the try scorer, Eli Walker.

:47:34. > :47:37.The Scarlets have to chase for the first time as the game goes into the

:47:38. > :47:41.final quarter, albeit chasing a sword a point for the moment. -- a

:47:42. > :47:53.solitary point. That is a good kick, just a little

:47:54. > :48:01.bit too far. Biggar to pick up the scraps. Davis came under pressure.

:48:02. > :48:06.That method of Josh Matavesi is proving very, very happy for

:48:07. > :48:12.Ospreys' afternoon. That is a brilliant kick. He has got to go the

:48:13. > :48:26.distance here. As far as the ten metre line to Sam Davies.

:48:27. > :48:32.For the kicking game, the Ospreys have been brilliant. They have

:48:33. > :48:39.Matavesi and Sam Davies, to complement Dan Biggar.

:48:40. > :49:08.Questions being asked of the Scarlets' defence.

:49:09. > :49:15.Alun Wyn Jones with a basketball pass to Eli Walker.

:49:16. > :49:33.Good counter rucking by the Scarlets as well.

:49:34. > :49:39.REFEREE: The clean-up was legal and clear.

:49:40. > :49:45.You have got to play now, the Scarlets have got to play this game,

:49:46. > :49:50.they have got to train, pick the pace up, play in the right areas,

:49:51. > :49:57.the Ospreys' kicking game is dominating at the moment and they

:49:58. > :50:01.are on a defensive chase. Jake Ball is still struggling. They have got

:50:02. > :50:03.to try and get some possession and play in the right area, put the ball

:50:04. > :50:50.in their hands. There is a lot going on there. The

:50:51. > :50:57.scrum-half is having a little chat. Tom Habberfield... I thought for one

:50:58. > :51:01.split-second he was going to penalise him. Keep an eye on that

:51:02. > :51:07.one, if he says anything else... Hadleigh Parkes. A good burst, he

:51:08. > :51:15.couldn't quite get his hands clear. Gareth Owen following well. Ashley,

:51:16. > :51:20.a big tackle. I think he is hurting there's well. I don't see any point,

:51:21. > :51:23.once they have got the ball, they control the Ospreys. They have got

:51:24. > :51:28.to keep the ball, they haven't had the ball from well, the Scarlets. So

:51:29. > :51:30.why take it into the opposition half? -- they haven't had the ball

:51:31. > :51:41.for a while. Every one leaves kick and look where

:51:42. > :51:51.they end up. It is the price they pay for giving the ball away. Too

:51:52. > :51:56.far, that is. Habberfield gets it to Biggar, and back it goes into the

:51:57. > :52:04.Scarlets territory. You have got to run and sprint the first ten yards.

:52:05. > :52:06.When you have got the ball. The Ospreys are playing a very, very

:52:07. > :52:24.canny kicking game. This will do the Ospreys or Mike

:52:25. > :52:28.Long. Somebody lose patience -- all night long. It is not happening

:52:29. > :52:38.there. REFEREE: Two knock-on is, first

:52:39. > :52:43.read, second White. They have won the area and won it again. The

:52:44. > :52:50.territory, they will restart, the Scarlets,.

:52:51. > :52:57.It is only Jack Condy who has come off the bench so far. These are the

:52:58. > :53:04.remaining players the Scarlets can use in the final quarter of an hour.

:53:05. > :53:09.Phil? Dmitri Arhip is in the stand, he has got ice on his hamstring,

:53:10. > :53:18.that is what happens if you are a prop. Great run Dmitri, fantastic.

:53:19. > :53:26.He is off with a hamstring injury. That is the ESP on that one. That

:53:27. > :53:30.has got to be a Christmas shirt he has got on there!

:53:31. > :53:32.LAUGHTER I think it still has the wrapping on

:53:33. > :53:50.it! A bit full on, isn't it? It is a bit

:53:51. > :53:54.of everything. A bit of kick tennis, not good to see, but all in all it

:53:55. > :54:00.is a brilliant derby, full of intensity. The Ospreys have got so

:54:01. > :54:05.many different capable kickers. They have got the wind behind them as

:54:06. > :54:13.well. The advantage is definitely the Ospreys.

:54:14. > :54:23.They are struggling here back from the scrum. In the end it was Dan

:54:24. > :54:32.Baker? No, play continues. I would follow it from Dirksen.

:54:33. > :54:44.REFEREE: No release. This can take the Ospreys more than a kick clear.

:54:45. > :54:49.It would be interesting to see that one again. I thought he won a

:54:50. > :54:55.fantastic turnover on the far side. He is good on the ball and strong.

:54:56. > :54:56.He had no release before he was contested, it is interesting to see

:54:57. > :55:10.that one again. He has actually got hold of Alun Wyn

:55:11. > :55:18.Jones as he has gone to the floor. It is a clear release. If this goes

:55:19. > :55:23.over, it is a four point, and psychologically the game changes

:55:24. > :55:27.because then they have to chase the game and play the right areas, may

:55:28. > :55:31.be two penalties, but then you are thinking about the try time, and

:55:32. > :55:36.they haven't had any territorial possession in the second half. It

:55:37. > :55:55.will be interesting to see the statistics after this kick.

:55:56. > :56:04.The Ospreys have slowly turned this one.

:56:05. > :56:14.You didn't expect that, did you? That was really one of his easiest

:56:15. > :56:24.cakes. A raft of changes now. -- easiest cakes. King is coming on.

:56:25. > :56:28.Here comes the cavalry, Regan King behind, alongside Rhodri Williams,

:56:29. > :56:32.and behind you have Rhodri Jones, his third game back after injury.

:56:33. > :56:43.And Evan Phillips not only comes on but comes on as captain. And it is

:56:44. > :56:50.filled just a 1-point game. -- still.

:56:51. > :56:54.The aerial threat of Dan Biggar is always there. Michael Collins is

:56:55. > :57:18.calling for a clean catch. Dan is telling the referee! The best

:57:19. > :57:19.referee and the second best referee no less!

:57:20. > :57:27.LAUGHTER I don't know, Richie McCaw might

:57:28. > :57:46.dispute that as well. A South African referee with a South

:57:47. > :57:48.African accent... Saying role away read seven in a South African

:57:49. > :58:19.accent! They used to call for it. That miskick by Dan Biggar, it is

:58:20. > :58:26.all about territory, as I said before, playing in the right areas.

:58:27. > :58:32.Like you said, it gives the Scarlets a lift, they stood behind the ball.

:58:33. > :58:35.Is different chasing a try to chasing a kick. I still think they

:58:36. > :58:40.need to keep their game with the ball in hand and width. They are

:58:41. > :58:46.taking away too much possession now and they are losing the kicking

:58:47. > :58:54.battle. Not even with the second attempt on that one. Shingler has to

:58:55. > :59:00.stand there. Waiting for some kind of help.

:59:01. > :59:19.Smashed in. Such marginal calls. It was a missed kick and a drop type

:59:20. > :59:26.ball from Dan Biggar. Not something that you see every day. He missed

:59:27. > :59:32.time that. -- a dropped highball. -- theme this time that. Maybe the wind

:59:33. > :00:00.just caught it as it hit. Shingler is a bigger kick, he has

:00:01. > :00:03.got the length. He has kept it going through injury time this year. Lots

:00:04. > :00:27.of derbies on New Year's Day. The Ospreys have the on Scrum V

:00:28. > :00:36.Live. The other to be will be the Scarlets on S4C. Coming into this

:00:37. > :00:40.game, everybody was trying to call it and we knew it was going to be

:00:41. > :00:48.tight and with contrasting styles and that is what we have seen with

:00:49. > :00:51.higher intensity. It is just a fire better spectacle and everyone enjoys

:00:52. > :00:57.it so fingers crossed more people will come and watch the regional

:00:58. > :01:05.games. Ten minutes to slog of this one out. Just one point between

:01:06. > :01:15.them. He releases. One more password have done it. At the wrong time. --

:01:16. > :01:25.pass would. Martin Roberts was there and turned it over. He called that

:01:26. > :01:36.very early, Nigel Owens, you could hear him saying hands away. Great

:01:37. > :01:46.off-load from the Scarlets, staying true to their style. That is a great

:01:47. > :01:51.read by Roberts. And it does look at the turnover, he is holding on the

:01:52. > :02:02.shout from the referee, you could not hear, what a huge call. Great

:02:03. > :02:11.angle. What a brilliant angle that is. The off-load, and this is it.

:02:12. > :02:23.What they read that is. Stops a try. Jack Condy was in there. That is

:02:24. > :02:31.tough. He has called it very early but we heard hands away red, he has

:02:32. > :02:38.lost sight of the ball, but was a very big call from Nigel Owens. It

:02:39. > :02:44.really could have gone either way. In his position, you do not know,

:02:45. > :02:52.either let the ball goal or... I don't know. Chance? He did well.

:02:53. > :02:59.Williams went across, still alive. Did not go out of play. That was a

:03:00. > :03:16.good call from Dan Baker. Men outside. Sam Davies. Out of the way.

:03:17. > :03:24.By Hanno Dirksen. It is really coming to a boil in these final ten

:03:25. > :03:28.minutes. The Scarlets have done very well in the wide channels and

:03:29. > :03:36.testing the back time and winning turnovers and penalties. Crucial

:03:37. > :03:41.counter ruck by the Scarlets. They will stay true to their style, they

:03:42. > :03:47.will not beat them in the arm wrestle, they have to try to

:03:48. > :04:02.off-load, high-risk, high reward. Not the cleanest kick.

:04:03. > :04:16.Van der Merwe in there as well. Yes, the Scarlets, just one defeat in

:04:17. > :04:27.eight games, the Ospreys have lost five from their first six, but they

:04:28. > :04:34.have won three more since then. Keeping in touch of the top six, the

:04:35. > :04:43.top four, nerves all-around. They have got him, he has to go to

:04:44. > :04:49.ground. Pops up in a kicking position. The Scarlets trying to get

:04:50. > :05:04.down. You have to go quick. Isolated, on his own. Steve

:05:05. > :05:15.Shingler. Trying to hold him up. The linesman good at both ends, as well.

:05:16. > :05:22.Steve Shingler, Alun Wyn Jones. Lovely off-load around the back door

:05:23. > :05:31.from Rob Evans. Rob Evans is injured. The Scarlets still in

:05:32. > :05:43.position. Great play again by Jack Condy. That was great play by Jack

:05:44. > :05:52.Condy. Morgan Allen arrives. Williams, Steve Shingler. Everybody

:05:53. > :06:01.is gay -- giving every last ounce. Jack Condy, what a great game he is

:06:02. > :06:09.having. Brilliant game so far. They have to go wide, left. The Ospreys

:06:10. > :06:15.trying to hold their ground, defensively, as Rhodri Jones dives

:06:16. > :06:23.on. The Scarlets need some entry ward. Lovely touch from Aaron

:06:24. > :06:32.Shingler. He takes the smack in the ribs. Here come the Ospreys through

:06:33. > :06:38.Sam Davies. Bodies everywhere at the moment. What a game! Great game!

:06:39. > :06:59.Five minutes... He told him twice. Well... The Scarlets, again,

:07:00. > :07:08.pressing but not pressing home the advantage. The Ospreys defence still

:07:09. > :07:10.just holding. If they are quick enough to try to turn defence into

:07:11. > :07:34.attack as well... Some worried looks. Wayne Pivac,

:07:35. > :07:41.Stephen Jones. The Scarlets coaching fraternity. Scott Alden was going to

:07:42. > :07:55.come. Then the Ospreys but veteran of it. Tom Habberfield is also left.

:07:56. > :08:30.-- thought better of it. Tom Price comment on. -- coming on.

:08:31. > :08:39.For the Scarlets. He has some cramp whenever he went down. Lewis Rawlins

:08:40. > :08:53.goes. Jake Ball will have to see this out.

:08:54. > :09:05.Lloyd Ashley the mains down. -- remains. You cannot afford to carry

:09:06. > :09:07.passengers in this run. Just one point the difference with four

:09:08. > :09:41.minutes remaining. Now, the Ospreys will call on the

:09:42. > :09:50.wealth of experience they have in that pack. Dan Lydiate winning it,

:09:51. > :09:55.Justin Tipuric protecting it. As they go forward again. They are

:09:56. > :10:09.quite happy with the slow ball. And the forwards carrying. Regrouping,

:10:10. > :10:14.carrying another guard. -- yard. Scarlets, desperate to get their

:10:15. > :10:21.hands on to the ball. Martin Roberts. He knows he does not need

:10:22. > :10:33.more than a two yard pass. It was Smith that time. There are wearing

:10:34. > :10:46.down the patience of the Scarlets. Gordon, that flies in. Good tackle.

:10:47. > :10:52.Justin Tipuric. Not my favourite part of the game, this. The Scarlets

:10:53. > :10:58.at the moment depending on a mistake from the Ospreys. Forcing them back.

:10:59. > :11:04.They have to try to force an error. They need and opportunity. I think

:11:05. > :11:16.they have got one. Here is a chance. On his own. Not going anywhere. It

:11:17. > :11:28.is about the clock. They will either side, you just have to try to force

:11:29. > :11:35.something. Patients. -- patience. Phillips has done that. I knew they

:11:36. > :11:41.would have a chance and that is a crucial decision. Because what

:11:42. > :11:49.happens is, that gives the Scarlets field position. Thumping the bench!

:11:50. > :11:59.As that penalty call was given. Steve Tandy knows how big that was.

:12:00. > :12:08.You have been there, coaching, when ahead and defending, what will they

:12:09. > :12:13.try to do? It was too obvious, Nigel Owens was waiting for one technical

:12:14. > :12:17.mistake. They are running the clock down and they have territory but as

:12:18. > :12:21.Jonathan says, this will open the door for the Scarlets. That is why

:12:22. > :12:33.Steve Tandy will be thumping, this is big treasure. Emyr Phillips got

:12:34. > :12:38.the penalty. The stand-in captain. Steve Tandy is just alongside us.

:12:39. > :12:46.These will be a worrying last 1.5 minutes. The crowd are trying to get

:12:47. > :12:54.behind the Scarlets. There was negative play. One opportunity...

:12:55. > :13:03.That kick will be massive. Dan Biggar. Will this come back to haunt

:13:04. > :13:09.the Ospreys? Very little to choose between them. And it is going right

:13:10. > :13:13.down to the wire. The Ospreys will not want to have an easy penalty

:13:14. > :13:27.given away. But the drop goal is in their sights. Tackle by Dan Lydiate.

:13:28. > :13:31.On Aaron Shingler. This might prevent -- this might give the

:13:32. > :13:45.Scarlets a get out of jail card. This is not an easy kick. He has to

:13:46. > :13:58.go for it. I would like to see... Shingler is in, there. Well... The

:13:59. > :14:05.legs going up. That is an easy penalty, isn't it? Well, the wealth

:14:06. > :14:11.of experience sometimes is not enough in the heat of a battle. I

:14:12. > :14:17.will tell you what, this is not an easy kick. This is a tough kick.

:14:18. > :14:22.This is what the substitution was made for, to bring this kid on, to

:14:23. > :14:28.nail this one opportunity and this is it. To win or lose the match.

:14:29. > :14:35.This is what this kicking is all about. This is it, do or die for the

:14:36. > :14:42.Scarlets from the boot of Steve Shingler. He has pulled it to the

:14:43. > :14:48.post! And the Ospreys have come down to Parc y Scarlets and they have

:14:49. > :14:55.held on to the closest of victories. Their path up the table continues

:14:56. > :15:04.and the Scarlets Luis for only the second time in 23 at home. The Man

:15:05. > :15:11.of the Match. I think Hadleigh Parkes was ruined. It has to be

:15:12. > :15:16.Hadleigh Parkes. Josh Matavesi was also great. Great game of rugby from

:15:17. > :15:21.the Ospreys. Brilliant Boxing Day derby. The Ospreys will be so

:15:22. > :15:25.enriching Adelaide Crows was present but it could not have been any

:15:26. > :15:32.tighter. The Scarlets taking the lead early but the Ospreys fighting

:15:33. > :15:37.back before half-time, the boat of Allan Thomas giving the Scarlets

:15:38. > :15:41.some breathing space but the crucial try from Eli Walker and two missed

:15:42. > :15:46.kicks not changing things at the end. Disappointment the Scarlets,

:15:47. > :15:49.they will have the losing bonus point but that will be scant

:15:50. > :15:56.consolation for them because the Ospreys have no made it four wins in

:15:57. > :16:01.consolation for them because the six of the season. And they continue

:16:02. > :16:08.their progress but that table. The Scarlets stayed top at the moment.

:16:09. > :16:13.But for how long? It has really set up the second set of derbies to come

:16:14. > :16:20.on New Year's Day. We could not ask about, a full at Parc y Scarlets,

:16:21. > :16:23.this was a real battle. Some great rugby, some real physical rugby in

:16:24. > :16:31.the middle as well and as close as it could possibly leave with the

:16:32. > :16:42.Ospreys victorious. 27-26. We can hear from the victorious Ospreys

:16:43. > :16:45.captain, receiving the cup. What sort of this like to play? It did

:16:46. > :16:52.look like Macbeth isn't entertainment? It was frustrating

:16:53. > :16:57.for us. The opportunities were fed to the Scarlets. And we feel

:16:58. > :17:07.probably that we were let off in the end, to finish how it started. Could

:17:08. > :17:14.you have got the tactics better in the second half? No, credit to them,

:17:15. > :17:19.they had that position. When you play with my weight you cannot do

:17:20. > :17:26.that without the ball. Did you know that Dmitri Arhip had that pays? He

:17:27. > :17:29.has been going well this season. He will want to play in some order

:17:30. > :17:39.these for the Ospreys. Any news on your future? I don't know. Merry

:17:40. > :17:45.Christmas, anyway. Cheers. It was everything you would expect from a

:17:46. > :17:49.Christmas derby. The Ospreys sneaking home by the narrowest of

:17:50. > :17:54.margins. But hard strumming runs from Dmitri Arhip. Eli Walker on his

:17:55. > :18:00.shoulder to finish things off and this late drama, Dan Lydiate losing

:18:01. > :18:04.his head. Tackling Aaron Shingler to give his brother an attempt at glory

:18:05. > :18:09.and we saw him kicking the last-minute kick against Munster

:18:10. > :18:12.earlier in the season to win the game by the slimmest margin and it

:18:13. > :18:17.is a windy day today and perhaps more pressure on that one and he

:18:18. > :18:22.just missed so we can go to the man who was voted Man of the Match, it

:18:23. > :18:27.is the Kiwi, Hadleigh Parkes. This is from the sponsors, they will

:18:28. > :18:34.prevent -- present Hadleigh Parkes with the Guinness Man of the Match

:18:35. > :18:42.award. Thank you. To be on the losing side in a game like that,

:18:43. > :18:47.what does that feel like? Pretty disappointing, we had some good

:18:48. > :18:53.tries. At one point, it could have gone either way. It is a shame, but

:18:54. > :18:57.the atmosphere was great, everybody came out on Boxing Day and we had

:18:58. > :19:01.the crowd so I hope the fans enjoyed it. Might you have got a little bit

:19:02. > :19:09.more in front on the board when you were dominant in that opening

:19:10. > :19:15.quarter? Yes, with hindsight. A couple more points would have made a

:19:16. > :19:21.huge difference but unfortunately it did not quite go that way. Great

:19:22. > :19:26.performance. Thank you very much. Unlucky but gracious in defeat. We

:19:27. > :19:31.can speak to Sean Holley. The crucial score was that try by Dmitri

:19:32. > :19:37.Arhip, nobody knew he had that kind of place. Watching from the studio,

:19:38. > :19:40.it was almost telegraphed, taking the ball into contact with three

:19:41. > :19:45.defenders in an instant and unique that was going to be turned over?

:19:46. > :19:50.Big game, big crowds, those decisions make a difference and it

:19:51. > :19:55.was a decision by Allan Thomas to go for the counterattack. Stephen Jones

:19:56. > :20:02.perhaps was saying, down the corner, the Ospreys challenge hard after

:20:03. > :20:09.rucks and he steals this ball. But we played the advantage. Even though

:20:10. > :20:14.he was the tight head drop, Dmitri Arhip, pulling away from Eli Walker,

:20:15. > :20:18.he has a presence of mind and both himself and Justin Tipuric run-out

:20:19. > :20:22.the covering defenders, on the shoulders, giving Walker the space

:20:23. > :20:30.that he needs. These guys had an influence. They did. Phil still was

:20:31. > :20:35.talking and he said the Scarlets did have opportunities, they were not

:20:36. > :20:38.snuffed out. There was a period when you thought, the Scarlets will come

:20:39. > :20:45.back. But when it comes down to it, the Ospreys were just more ruthless?

:20:46. > :20:50.It was just before half-time, Dan Biggar kicks the corner and they

:20:51. > :20:56.kept composure and scored a try. That is a difference at the minute.

:20:57. > :20:59.The Ospreys in key positions, keeping that cool head, with the

:21:00. > :21:04.experience, making the right calls but it was fantastic, could have

:21:05. > :21:10.gone either way. Whoever won this game was justified. Fantastic advert

:21:11. > :21:14.for the Pro12. When we thought the drama was ending, the Ospreys have

:21:15. > :21:18.the ball and we thought the recorder spent four minutes kicking and going

:21:19. > :21:23.but they did not and the Scarlets about one chance to win things. On

:21:24. > :21:30.this occasion, it was too big for Steve Shingler? You feel for the

:21:31. > :21:34.kicker. Against Munster, he had the winner, and he has kicked another as

:21:35. > :21:40.well. Unfortunate for him, difficult windy conditions. It was not easy.

:21:41. > :21:44.It did surprise me, just how good the Ospreys were in those crucial

:21:45. > :21:47.moments and you will not see the cockeyed in four minutes, we need to

:21:48. > :21:54.play a little bit more. They will be relieved. Hadleigh Parkes had Man of

:21:55. > :21:59.the Match but his opposite number also played very well today? Yes,

:22:00. > :22:05.they had big influence and Ginny that balanced type of player and

:22:06. > :22:10.Josh Matavesi showed some class, little bit of footwork and

:22:11. > :22:14.off-loading, good defensively, and he went forward and was direct when

:22:15. > :22:17.he needed to be and a big mantra of the Ospreys is that kicking game and

:22:18. > :22:22.to have a left foot in addition to that firepower is excellent, be

:22:23. > :22:25.turnover excellent so Hadleigh Parkes was deserving of Man of the

:22:26. > :22:30.Match but Josh Matavesi was just as effective for the winning team.

:22:31. > :22:33.Quick look at the table. As things stand, the Ospreys still in eighth

:22:34. > :22:38.place, they could have gone up to seventh place with the bonus point

:22:39. > :22:44.but they did not get that. Scarlets still top and Connacht play Munster

:22:45. > :22:49.tomorrow. Briefly, are we seeing a turnaround in the fortunes of the

:22:50. > :22:53.Ospreys? Yes, the test will be the Six Nations when they lose top

:22:54. > :22:57.players but you have seen the influence on the main players, once

:22:58. > :23:01.they had full strength, they are very difficult to beat. They have

:23:02. > :23:06.proven so today, the Ospreys have won the battle of the West here at

:23:07. > :23:10.Parc y Scarlets, doing it on enemy territory, avenging their defeat on

:23:11. > :23:15.the same ground last year. It was all about New Year's Day now, the

:23:16. > :23:18.Scarlets tried to restore the pride against the Blues and the Ospreys

:23:19. > :23:20.host of Dragons and that is where we will be. We will see you then- Merry

:23:21. > :25:02.Christmas and have a happy New Year. Our earliest ancestors came to

:25:03. > :25:09.the edge of our islands for sustenance from land,

:25:10. > :25:14.sea and sky.