:00:20. > :00:25.Sport fans love a comeback when the rate is the fairy tale returns or
:00:25. > :00:35.light trick -- late tries for Wales. The Cardiff Blues have made their
:00:35. > :00:57.
:00:57. > :01:02.own dramatic comeback. First class For the second week running, the
:01:02. > :01:08.Cardiff Blues have return to the Arms Park. They face Ulster tonight.
:01:08. > :01:14.The winner will climb into the top four. There is excitement here. A
:01:14. > :01:24.capacity crowd of 9,000 expected. The fans we has spoken to are
:01:24. > :01:29.
:01:29. > :01:33.feeling pretty excited. There is a good atmosphere of here. Most
:01:33. > :01:40.people would prefer to be back here but maybe that is getting used to a
:01:40. > :01:45.new venue. That is a football stadium not a rugby stadium. I have
:01:45. > :01:51.not watched a game at the stadium, this is a more home. I would rather
:01:51. > :01:59.be a Sardis Road and that is saying something from a Blues supporter!
:01:59. > :02:05.Some strident abuse from the fans. We expect 9,000 here. This is their
:02:05. > :02:11.spiritual home. You played here number of times as a player and as
:02:11. > :02:17.a member of the opposition. can't underestimate the supporters
:02:17. > :02:22.-- the support of the ground. It is a real rugby ground, quite close to
:02:22. > :02:25.the players, a great atmosphere. It is great to see the ground in a
:02:25. > :02:29.very good condition. Both sides will be looking forward to a proper
:02:29. > :02:33.game of rugby with a proper record the atmosphere. I am looking
:02:33. > :02:41.forward to it. Martyn Williams has been drafted into the starting
:02:41. > :02:45.line-up. A second start after he broke his arm in September. Both
:02:45. > :02:51.sides are looking pretty strong considering it is in the middle of
:02:51. > :02:54.the Six Nations. I bump into Martin on the way in, his bones making a
:02:54. > :03:04.little bit after 80 minutes last week but he is relishing the
:03:04. > :03:14.opportunity tonight. An interesting battle between the two scrum-halves.
:03:14. > :03:14.
:03:14. > :03:19.Lloyd Williams has been released from the Wales squad. Lloyd
:03:19. > :03:26.Williams has been released, hopefully you will have 80 minutes
:03:26. > :03:36.of rugby. It will be a massive test for them. Time to cross --
:03:36. > :03:45.
:03:45. > :03:50.Since you have been gone, but he is back! You have played here and at
:03:50. > :03:54.the Kansas City stadium. Which you prefer? I prefer is here. I want to
:03:54. > :04:01.get back on the pitch. But the stadium does create a good
:04:01. > :04:09.atmosphere. A want you think of the pitch? It is a bit softer than the
:04:09. > :04:19.Cardiff City Stadium. The away team, the changing room is a little bit
:04:19. > :04:21.
:04:21. > :04:30.smaller. Dan Parks is back as some he has got Gavin Henson Against him.
:04:30. > :04:37.He kicks the corners. Is it be interesting to see Gavin Henson
:04:37. > :04:41.back. He will try to get the ball out to Tom James. The away team
:04:41. > :04:51.changing rooms, the showers don't work properly! That is what I call
:04:51. > :04:52.
:04:52. > :04:58.home advantage. Rick O'Shea is in the red zone. He is waiting your
:04:58. > :05:04.company. There is also Welsh language commentary first up our
:05:04. > :05:12.commentary team is Stuart Davies and Gareth Charles.
:05:12. > :05:21.There is a different atmosphere here as Chris Hendry leads out
:05:21. > :05:26.Ulster. They are playing at the Cardiff Arms Park.
:05:26. > :05:36.Some good thinking about the design of the away dressing room. A
:05:36. > :05:59.
:05:59. > :06:06.tonight. -- out on the pitch in on a short-term contract. Ruan
:06:06. > :06:10.Pienaar is the key man for Ulster. What a difference he has made since
:06:10. > :06:17.signing for Ulster. We have seen him winning games in the last
:06:17. > :06:23.minutes. He has switched from 9-10. He is running, his kicking, an all-
:06:23. > :06:29.round game. The mind games are what are carrying on the Blues. They are
:06:29. > :06:35.making Ulster wait as long as possible. It is not cold out there.
:06:35. > :06:42.They want to milk what will be 8 euros welcome, home for the Cardiff
:06:42. > :06:50.Blues after two-and-a-half years away. 8,000 it is Connacht last
:06:50. > :06:56.week and almost 9004 Ulster this evening. -- 8,000 against. It will
:06:56. > :07:05.be the old-fashioned Arms Park roared to greet Paul Tito and his
:07:05. > :07:12.team as soon as they emerge from the tunnel. A close at Ms fear, the
:07:12. > :07:17.proximity of the fans to the players. -- a close atmosphere. It
:07:17. > :07:22.makes it a different and special atmosphere for the Cardiff Blues.
:07:22. > :07:29.Scott Andrews has been released by a Wales, he stands on the Tighthead.
:07:29. > :07:32.Martyn Williams, a second start of the broke -- breaking his arm.
:07:32. > :07:42.Lloyd Williams back from international duty and Gavin Henson
:07:42. > :08:01.
:08:01. > :08:07.getting a start in centre. Ben charge this evening. This will be
:08:07. > :08:11.an intriguing game and important game as both teams press for places
:08:11. > :08:17.in the top four. One of them will get their temporarily with Munster
:08:17. > :08:27.to play later this weekend. Just a point between the two of them. That
:08:27. > :08:28.
:08:28. > :08:38.is saving the visitors, Auster. -- that is favouring the visitors, all
:08:38. > :08:38.
:08:38. > :09:24.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:09:24. > :09:29.it is con not last season. That outlines how much are the Blues
:09:29. > :09:39.have missed him. It was a long, long road back for him. He will be
:09:39. > :09:39.
:09:39. > :10:23.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:10:23. > :10:30.glad to have some rugby under his wrong way. Lovely hands by Gavin
:10:30. > :10:40.Henson. Xavier Rush is making excellent headway up to the 10
:10:40. > :10:59.
:10:59. > :11:08.metre line. They want Gavin Henson There is always going to be a nasty
:11:08. > :11:13.situation. They did not want to get the pass back into the 22. Dan
:11:13. > :11:18.Parks wants to see the ball away and safe and the chance to regroup.
:11:18. > :11:28.First points to Ruan Pienaar. Taking his time and Lloyd Williams
:11:28. > :11:28.
:11:28. > :13:00.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:13:00. > :13:10.was too long we get the stock flocking over. They have to wait --
:13:10. > :13:12.
:13:12. > :13:19.we have to watch that. There is the flop on the ruck. He will have
:13:19. > :13:28.plenty of that to look at later on. Look at that. Well met on the gain
:13:28. > :13:33.line. The big tackle. The Ulster team have grown in confidence as
:13:33. > :13:43.the season has gone on. Success in the rubble direct and in the
:13:43. > :14:04.
:14:04. > :14:14.Heineken Cup. A missed kick will Tighthead. As long as he can hold
:14:14. > :14:46.
:14:46. > :14:56.the scrum. Taking the short pop. the recipient. They were trying to
:14:56. > :14:58.
:14:58. > :15:08.strip it for a moment. Fingertips. It will be a Blues throw.
:15:08. > :15:09.
:15:09. > :15:15.He hasn't seen it. Was there contact? Not a discernible change
:15:15. > :15:25.of direction from the ball. It puts pressure on the kickers.
:15:25. > :15:45.
:15:45. > :15:47.Graham Morris is nearer to the worrying the Ulster coach, the fact
:15:47. > :15:50.that the supporting forwards are not standing on their feet.
:15:50. > :15:54.Otherwise, they are looking threatening.
:15:54. > :15:58.I have an issue with this in the modern game. Ulster might be
:15:58. > :16:03.thinking, almost every Rec in the modern game, there are people of
:16:03. > :16:09.their feet in the contact. There he is again. He does flop. I agree,
:16:09. > :16:14.that is a penalty. You will see it time and time again and this is the
:16:14. > :16:24.area in the game you need to clean For when the that ball went into
:16:24. > :16:30.
:16:30. > :16:34.touch, a superb catch by Tom handling skills.
:16:34. > :16:44.Keep the gap. You can can -- you can stand on the line but not
:16:44. > :17:02.
:17:02. > :17:09.Michael Paterson. Giving everybody a chance to chase Lloyd Williams's
:17:09. > :17:19.kick. A right -- a right-footed kick for a change. Ben Blair,
:17:19. > :17:59.
:17:59. > :18:03.chance to play in midfield. Talking of midfield, Tom Shanklin is with
:18:03. > :18:05.Phil still. They probably can't to see it on
:18:06. > :18:10.television but there is a pronounced wind, favouring well
:18:10. > :18:13.stuff. The Blues have to run the ball out
:18:13. > :18:18.of their own line. You can see a couple of Dan Parks kicks haven't
:18:18. > :18:22.quite reached touch. They will have to play a bit more out of their
:18:22. > :18:25.half and we will see more up and and us from Dan Parks and Ben Blair.
:18:26. > :18:29.What about the surface? It looks a bit softer the moment
:18:29. > :18:33.and some of the boys have been slipping but as long as there is no
:18:33. > :18:43.rain, it should be OK. Congratulations on your catch
:18:43. > :18:44.
:18:44. > :18:51.earlier. wasn't held, there.
:18:51. > :18:56.Crawling along the ground. If there was no ruck, obstruction by a
:18:56. > :19:03.player. Was the tackle completed? He drops
:19:03. > :19:06.to the floor and tries to get up. I think that is harsh, very harsh. He
:19:06. > :19:16.also suggested there was an obstruction and a player was behind
:19:16. > :19:34.
:19:34. > :19:44.him. George Clancy possibly out on very wisely and very well. --
:19:44. > :19:53.
:19:53. > :19:57.Pienaar and Ulster go ahead by three points.
:19:57. > :20:03.In the early exchanges, the Blues have shown an intention, Xavier
:20:04. > :20:08.Rush making a great rush. The Blues should be kicking. The fullback is
:20:08. > :20:11.isolated and a great kick from number nine with a great chase from
:20:11. > :20:21.the Blues, they would be in trouble. Instead, they stood still and are
:20:21. > :20:22.
:20:22. > :21:02.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:21:02. > :21:12.Humphreys but Ben Blair is there. pass with Nevin Spence. Henson gets
:21:12. > :21:31.
:21:31. > :21:41.following up. He did just enough to hang on too. A great challenge by
:21:41. > :21:43.
:21:43. > :21:50.Ulster. No real passing opportunities on for Lloyd-Williams.
:21:50. > :22:00.The Blues being pinned back in their own half. Well covered by
:22:00. > :22:11.
:22:11. > :22:16.Ruan Pienaar. Jake Gilroy has there. Blues and Stefan Terblanche let it
:22:16. > :22:23.get into the 22. He doesn't put it straight out. Here comes Xavier
:22:23. > :22:33.Rush. He almost joined Ulster last year. The crowd love in it every
:22:33. > :22:39.
:22:39. > :22:47.Blues when they get the ball. Not quite getting the structure
:22:47. > :22:50.right. Lloyd-Williams not having the options he would like.
:22:51. > :23:00.You can't really blame them at the moment because there is not much
:23:01. > :23:03.
:23:03. > :23:11.outside them when the ball comes plenty of options. The quick ball
:23:11. > :23:18.makes such a difference. Good work by Tom James. That is excellent
:23:18. > :23:23.work by the Blues went there. He deserved the plaudits of his team-
:23:23. > :23:32.mates. Tom James was straight in for the
:23:32. > :23:37.steel. The food goes on the soft surface. Tom James wasn't really
:23:37. > :23:47.looking for the ball at that stage. There goes Xavier Rush. You don't
:23:47. > :23:51.
:23:51. > :24:01.want to be a full back making that bottle. He took the responsibility
:24:01. > :24:12.
:24:12. > :24:22.on his own shoulders to put the for the Blues.
:24:22. > :24:29.
:24:29. > :24:39.get out of poor the Blues. -- to get out of for the Blues. A change
:24:39. > :24:54.
:24:54. > :25:04.in direction. possession. It came off a Blues
:25:04. > :25:12.
:25:12. > :25:22.a good balance in this Ulster side. They have a bulky pack, good
:25:22. > :25:28.
:25:28. > :25:38.of tapping down this evening. The crowd feel there wasn't given their
:25:38. > :25:39.
:25:39. > :25:49.passage to get there. Robbie Diack is a good ball carrier. Great
:25:49. > :25:52.
:25:52. > :25:55.stripping work from Michael penalties and it has been a while
:25:55. > :26:01.you are in possession. Think about that.
:26:01. > :26:05.In from the side was the signal. It is a late run and he just comes up
:26:05. > :26:12.to the right shoulder. Here is the pop. Paterson in straight away.
:26:12. > :26:16.That is a good call because you have got to come in through the
:26:16. > :26:26.gate and that was definitely in from the side. Not an easy pick-up
:26:26. > :26:56.
:26:56. > :27:06.treatment. has ever produced. It is a Blues
:27:06. > :27:11.
:27:11. > :27:18.The South African number 8 wins the race. And with a last line-out, the
:27:18. > :27:25.Blues concede the first try. A catalogue of errors, really. It
:27:25. > :27:29.wasn't good enough. They wanted better territory than they got but
:27:29. > :27:36.they didn't find Cory Hill at the front. It looks comfortable with
:27:36. > :27:45.this. Certainly of for it. -- certainly asked for it. Very well
:27:45. > :27:52.done. Good skills. Easy job for the TMO.
:27:52. > :28:00.You may award the try. Undue pressure from the Blues. They
:28:00. > :28:07.held up when Ulster have ball in hand but the line-out...
:28:07. > :28:13.It is the bounce of the ball. Lloyd-Williams has got too much
:28:13. > :28:17.ground to make-up. That is a good little kick through. It actually
:28:17. > :28:25.goes towards Lloyd Williams. He shows pace to get there before the
:28:25. > :28:30.scrum-half. I would have been 10 yards behind him. Good athleticism.
:28:30. > :28:40.Lloyd-Williams is waiting to see if the ball would reach Tom James and
:28:40. > :28:46.
:28:46. > :28:49.they only had the try-line on their Often the hooker get blamed for the
:28:49. > :28:53.line-out but this time it is the hooker's fault. You can see the
:28:53. > :29:03.jumper at the top of his jump. That throw is just a little bit too
:29:03. > :29:13.
:29:13. > :29:23.strong. Defending Blues players Nevin spent thought he had the ball
:29:23. > :29:24.
:29:24. > :30:41.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:30:41. > :30:51.comfortably in hand but the Blues eager and, took out Lloyd Williams
:30:51. > :31:02.
:31:02. > :31:12.the breakdown. Playing the scrum- half or inform the side. You can
:31:12. > :31:13.
:31:13. > :31:23.take your pick. The Blues can do with some points. A hand quite
:31:23. > :31:23.
:31:23. > :31:33.clearly on the ball in the process the ball he was not allowed to go
:31:33. > :31:44.
:31:44. > :31:50.Dan Parks. At the try, that was soft, was that
:31:50. > :31:55.as a result of him not finding the long touch? It was the line-out, it
:31:55. > :31:59.was a scrappy line-out. He is making sure that he gets the ball
:31:59. > :32:09.into touch rather than go the distance. A quick Gavin Henson
:32:09. > :32:10.
:32:10. > :32:14.watch. He is not getting himself in position at the moment. At the
:32:14. > :32:21.moment, he is not hitting the ball. They is that because he has been
:32:21. > :32:27.out for so long? Yes, think so. He has got his hands on the ball but
:32:27. > :32:37.he needs to get back into the game. One lovely touch by Gavin Henson
:32:37. > :32:54.
:32:54. > :33:04.early on. He hasn't had much the month. He has been released
:33:04. > :33:04.
:33:04. > :33:14.from the Welsh squad. Maybe his last chance has come and gone.
:33:14. > :33:41.
:33:41. > :33:51.30 and then it is all behind you. - - U-turn. It is amazing when you
:33:51. > :34:01.
:34:01. > :34:10.think Gavin turned 30, he had 33 tomorrow night on S4C. Six o'clock
:34:10. > :34:14.on Sunday, highlights of the weekend on Scrum V. We will keep
:34:14. > :34:18.you in touch with what is happening with the other games this evening.
:34:18. > :34:28.Ospreys have just kicked off against Aironi. The Scarlets have
:34:28. > :34:28.
:34:28. > :35:48.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:35:48. > :35:52.got the daunting task of facing of options quickly. Two will three
:35:52. > :36:02.phases in you have got Dan Parks, Lloyd Williams looking up and No
:36:02. > :36:10.
:36:10. > :36:20.deal lined to take the pass. -- maybe Gavin Henson and Gavin Evans
:36:20. > :36:50.
:36:50. > :36:56.Mustoe, that was dangerous. Craig Gill Wright kept his eyes open.
:36:56. > :37:06.That was a counter-attack ruck. Throwing that pass and it could
:37:06. > :37:14.have been a second gift of the night. It is on that the sequence
:37:14. > :37:24.we had. Not quite sure what patterns that Blues are running
:37:24. > :37:24.
:37:24. > :38:44.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:38:44. > :38:54.tackle and now they fancy turnover. Good defending by Ulster and it is
:38:54. > :39:12.
:39:13. > :39:17.The Ospreys have gone 7-0 ahead against Aironi. A penalty try.
:39:17. > :39:23.was the counter Rec, not there in sufficient numbers. Lloyd Williams
:39:23. > :39:28.trying to lend his weight. This is a good move by the Blues. Shoulder
:39:28. > :39:36.support by Tom Williams, look at the work by eight Chris Henry for
:39:36. > :39:46.Ulster. That is difficult work going backwards and I think they
:39:46. > :39:57.
:39:57. > :40:02.Ospreys game for you at half time. At kicked off at 7:30pm. The
:40:02. > :40:10.Scarlets game also kicked off. The Ospreys are looking for their first
:40:10. > :40:18.try bonus point of the season. tells its own story. There would be
:40:18. > :40:28.some start for Steve Tandy if they would get it was up Aironi at home
:40:28. > :40:35.
:40:35. > :40:45.first half. Ulster had the better of things but the only try came
:40:45. > :40:46.
:40:46. > :40:50.from a bruised mistake. -- a Blues a mistake. The Cardiff Blues at
:40:50. > :41:00.just one point ahead of the Scarlets. Everybody is vying for a
:41:00. > :41:00.
:41:00. > :41:45.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:41:45. > :41:52.A laconic run. It. -- it bounces and spoils the past. He gets the
:41:52. > :42:02.man in the end. He spent five seasons with the Ospreys did Stefan
:42:02. > :42:07.
:42:07. > :42:12.Terblanche. V4 Moss break got the tackle in. -- the former Osprey. He
:42:12. > :42:22.will be 37 in July. He has been around for a while. He is looking
:42:22. > :42:32.in very good nick. He is on a three-month short contract due to
:42:32. > :42:32.
:42:32. > :43:54.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:43:54. > :44:04.them. There is a big White line coming up but there is a bit of
:44:04. > :44:04.
:44:04. > :44:14.space on the outside. It is a very well organised, very well all --
:44:14. > :44:18.
:44:18. > :44:24.vision to break it down. It is a bit easy at the moment. Gavin
:44:24. > :44:29.Henson tries to find the space of a mistake but quickly transferred and
:44:29. > :44:39.also quickly closed down. They will have to do more than that to break
:44:39. > :45:12.
:45:12. > :45:18.the line-out. They have had a are looking to get away from the
:45:18. > :45:26.breakdown but can't quite do it at the moment.
:45:26. > :45:31.Dear me. Now they are back under pressure. Dan Tuohy tries to go
:45:31. > :45:41.across Tom James. He does well. Half time is approaching and Ulster
:45:41. > :45:59.
:45:59. > :46:02.for the Blues and saved the day. No, no.
:46:02. > :46:08.Didn't knock-on but it is a bit more defending for the Blues when
:46:08. > :46:18.they thought they were clear. If I was Xavier Rush, I know what I
:46:18. > :46:51.
:46:51. > :46:58.John Fowler. Two chances to clear their lines,
:46:58. > :47:06.there. Some superb work in the tackle area from the Blues forwards.
:47:06. > :47:13.Two great turnovers. What a kick! I really don't know what to say about
:47:13. > :47:18.that! Look at the numbers, look at where you are on the pitch. You
:47:18. > :47:28.have just had two guys going over where it hurts all the turnovers. I
:47:28. > :47:49.
:47:49. > :47:54.know the wind is against them but... Ruan Pienaar and indeed it isn't.
:47:54. > :48:03.Ulster stretched their lead just before half-time. Here is the
:48:03. > :48:07.Ospreys try. Pressure coming on at the scrum. Good control at the base.
:48:07. > :48:17.With the ball going free, the referee under the sticks to award a
:48:17. > :48:36.
:48:36. > :48:41.penalty try, converted by Dan threatening in the first half.
:48:41. > :48:44.They are saying it is a strong wind and at the score line, they have
:48:44. > :48:48.not done a bad job but needless points.
:48:48. > :48:58.If the Blues get something here in the final minutes, it would be a
:48:58. > :49:04.
:49:04. > :49:11.great result for them. And they confidently.
:49:11. > :49:21.Needs a bit more elevation than the one from his own try line!
:49:21. > :49:29.
:49:29. > :49:39.It the old favourite. "and trying ground might want to watch this one
:49:39. > :49:50.
:49:50. > :50:00.from behind the sofa, through their first half. Unless, of course, it
:50:00. > :50:14.
:50:14. > :50:19.drops short and Ulster decide to That is a great kick from Dan Parks
:50:19. > :50:24.and it turns out to be not to chubby a first half from the Blues
:50:24. > :50:28.in terms of score. That is the way to shut the
:50:28. > :50:32.commentator up! Straight between the sticks.
:50:32. > :50:37.Ulster have the only try of the first half through Robbie Diack but
:50:37. > :50:47.from that last-gasp kick from Dan Parks, just the five points lead
:50:47. > :50:48.
:50:48. > :50:51.Will the Blues be happy with 11-6? All the territory has been in the
:50:51. > :50:57.Blues half and now Dan Parks will probably be sitting in the pocket,
:50:57. > :51:03.playing the territory. And yet the boosted concede points
:51:03. > :51:07.from silly errors? Yes, that's the line-out. You will
:51:07. > :51:12.see a different Blues in the second half. Gavin Henson has got to have
:51:12. > :51:16.his hands on the ball. I would like to see the link between Dan Parks
:51:16. > :51:23.and Gavin Henson in the second half. How about the opening 10 minutes of
:51:23. > :51:26.the second half for the Blues? I think it will be key. I think Dan
:51:26. > :51:29.Parks was it in the pocket and play the territory because there is a
:51:29. > :51:34.swirling wind out there. Lots has been said about the
:51:34. > :51:44.atmosphere. You can feel it here at pitch-side. We are in front of the
:51:44. > :51:48.
:51:48. > :51:51.South Stand at the Arms Park and It was Ulster who struck here first
:51:51. > :51:56.from the boot of Ruan Pienaar. Then a mistake on their own line-out led
:51:56. > :52:01.to the only try of the first half, Robbie Diack winning the foot race
:52:02. > :52:09.against Lloyd-Williams. Dan Parks then clawed three points back for
:52:09. > :52:13.the Blues but Ruan Pienaar extended the lead once again before the last
:52:13. > :52:18.kick of the first half, a cracking penalty from Dan Parks. 11-6 at
:52:18. > :52:28.half-time. Let's have another quick look at
:52:28. > :52:36.
:52:36. > :52:40.those statistics. Overwhelming A lack of fluency from the Blues.
:52:40. > :52:47.They have been quite disappointing to be honest. 60% possession and
:52:47. > :52:51.you expect them to look more creative and be a bit more
:52:51. > :52:56.adventurous. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case. Ulster were
:52:56. > :53:00.full of confidence. They are very organised and structured and in
:53:00. > :53:10.contrast, really, to the way the Blues have been playing for us stop
:53:10. > :53:17.the try came from the Blues mistake The only try so far came from a
:53:17. > :53:23.mistake at the line-out. It is a slight overthrow, as we said
:53:23. > :53:29.earlier on. The left wing, Tom James, must stay inside the ball.
:53:29. > :53:32.He is the safety net. He overruns at slightly. He is too keen.
:53:32. > :53:35.Fantastic finish from Robbie Diack. Ultimately, the game has been tight
:53:35. > :53:44.at the breakdown but that is the difference between the teams at the
:53:44. > :53:48.The windows with the Blues in the second half and Ulster only have a
:53:48. > :53:52.five-point cushion. They have to be tactically aware of
:53:52. > :53:57.the elements in the second half. In the first of, it was a case of
:53:57. > :54:00.keeping ball in hand. When they kick, I know it was a swirling wind,
:54:00. > :54:04.but they didn't kick very well. They were very hesitant and they
:54:04. > :54:09.looked like a team that had just come together. A region for
:54:09. > :54:14.organisation and structure. The fact that they are or within five
:54:14. > :54:18.points of Ulster puts them in good stead for the second half. They
:54:18. > :54:23.have a good can tactical did -- a good tactical kicking game with Dan
:54:24. > :54:28.Parks. Keeping possession in the modern game, as long as you are
:54:28. > :54:31.sensible and use your forwards well, you can keep possession. Ulster
:54:31. > :54:36.demonstrated that in the first half and with the wind against them in
:54:36. > :54:41.the second, I would expect them to do the same. The Blues have an
:54:41. > :54:46.opportunity. They need to up there again but just five points behind.
:54:46. > :54:49.Dan Parks does get stick for not releasing his back line but do you
:54:49. > :54:53.think it because he's not particularly -- he's not getting
:54:53. > :55:03.particularly quick ball? The thing for the Blues is they are
:55:03. > :55:04.
:55:04. > :55:09.Xavier Rush has carried the ball went -- carried the ball well game.
:55:09. > :55:18.He wins the game line but loses the collision. Ulster managed to slow
:55:18. > :55:22.the ball gown. Blues players stood still and flat, allowing the Ulster
:55:22. > :55:29.defence to reset. The tackle is made five metres in front of the
:55:29. > :55:34.game line. What options does Dan Parks have? No options. Here we see
:55:34. > :55:38.again. The story of the half so far. Good little move on the gain line
:55:38. > :55:43.and the tackle has been made. Look how many Blues players are in the
:55:43. > :55:48.breakdown, six or seven. The Blues need to smarten up with efficient
:55:48. > :55:52.the at the breakdown. They need more accuracy and precision at the
:55:52. > :55:55.ruck. The ball is too slow and Dan Parks is not looking confident.
:55:55. > :56:01.Half of it is because of the slow Half of it is because of the slow
:56:01. > :56:05.ball he's getting. Rob Jones told me he was gutted we had shown a try
:56:05. > :56:15.from Tom Shanklin. We have dug deep into the archives and uncovered
:56:15. > :56:20.
:56:20. > :56:25.Look at that! And guessing when you tell that story, that is quite a
:56:25. > :56:32.rush, isn't it? Most of them were like that, to be
:56:32. > :56:40.honest. You don't look a day older.
:56:40. > :56:45.Look, I'm highlighted, now. I've got some analysis. Half a metre.
:56:45. > :56:48.Good stuff. Unfortunately, no Rob Jones
:56:48. > :56:58.classics in Sport Wales tonight but plenty of build up for the England
:56:58. > :57:07.
:57:07. > :57:10.Wales must be and indeed are at the Wales have been in such good form
:57:10. > :57:18.and they are the favourites. Everybody wants that scalp, the top
:57:18. > :57:23.Sport Wales follows this programme here on BBC Two Wales with
:57:23. > :57:28.intriguing insight from Gwyn Jones, Warren Gatland and Brian Moore.
:57:28. > :57:32.Saturday: He Dragons welcome Edinburgh at Rodney Parade. On
:57:32. > :57:39.Sunday, we will have a round-up of the action together with England-
:57:39. > :57:43.Wales preview on scrum five at 6:00pm. Plenty happening at the
:57:43. > :57:47.Liberty Stadium this week. It is all change.
:57:47. > :57:51.The Scot Johnson era which began three years ago is officially over.
:57:51. > :57:54.On Wednesday, the director of rugby who had already announced his
:57:54. > :58:00.intention to leave at the end of the season quit with immediate
:58:00. > :58:06.effect. Sean Holley also step down. He had been at the region since it
:58:06. > :58:11.began and together they have lifted beat 2010 Magners League title. A
:58:11. > :58:15.hastily arranged press conference and the Ospreys unveiled their new
:58:15. > :58:22.coach. He played for the Ospreys over 100 times before moving to
:58:22. > :58:29.coaching. He had been acting head coach for the Ospreys during the LV
:58:29. > :58:34.Cup this season. Jonathan Humphreys, the region's forwards coach has
:58:34. > :58:40.been appointed his assistant. The new era begins tonight. The
:58:40. > :58:45.Ospreys are playing. It is currently 10-0 to the Ospreys. The
:58:45. > :58:51.first try was a penalty try as a result of this scrum. The Ospreys
:58:51. > :59:01.proving too much for Aironi. That is the only try so far and a
:59:01. > :59:06.
:59:06. > :59:09.What have you make of it all? Quite bizarre, really. It just
:59:09. > :59:19.shows the state of the regional game at the moment. Money is the
:59:19. > :59:22.
:59:22. > :59:28.big issue. They are bringing Steve Tandy end. He will be stepping in.
:59:28. > :59:32.He is a young, developing coach. He has a lot of potential but he is
:59:32. > :59:36.very experienced. I hope he can do a job and steady the ship a little.
:59:36. > :59:40.There is talk of senior players leaving at the end of this year and
:59:40. > :59:48.not renewing contracts. It is a case of developing from within
:59:48. > :59:52.which everyone wants. We want them to be competitive.
:59:52. > :59:56.You mentioned the feeling that there are players leaving. It's a
:59:56. > :00:00.strange time for regional the be in Wales. The Blues, Casey Laulala is
:00:00. > :00:07.leaving to go to Munster. Phil still had a word with their chief
:00:07. > :00:12.What is the lazes you can tell us about intentions for venues for the
:00:12. > :00:17.Blues for the rest of the season as mac we are playing this game at the
:00:17. > :00:21.Arms Park. We will be looking at those going forward and deciding
:00:21. > :00:25.the best options available for us. We will be doing the same next
:00:25. > :00:30.season. Taking stock of this season and deciding on the best model
:00:30. > :00:35.going forward. He it looked as if you will be playing some games here,
:00:35. > :00:38.and perhaps at other venues? have not made any decisions. We
:00:38. > :00:43.have explore the options at the Arms Park. It has a great success
:00:43. > :00:47.last week we will see how it goes tonight. There are options and
:00:47. > :00:50.possibilities and we will assess them in due course. With the
:00:50. > :00:55.regional game generally we have heard about problems with finance
:00:55. > :01:01.and so on not just that the Cardiff Blues but with the of the three
:01:01. > :01:06.regions, in your opinion how sustainable is the current model?
:01:06. > :01:12.It is Telfer everybody first up the cuts that have been put in place
:01:12. > :01:16.has been well publicised. We are making the models sustainable. We
:01:16. > :01:24.have to make his business sustainable. That is what I am
:01:24. > :01:33.doing. We have seen some of the other regions having a fire Sale of
:01:33. > :01:38.their best talent. The Blues will be losing Casey Laulala. I think it
:01:38. > :01:43.will come down to the model that will put in place. Casey Laulala is
:01:43. > :01:47.a massive loss. We don't want to miss players like him. We will take
:01:47. > :01:52.each individual on an individual basis and sees which model is put
:01:52. > :01:57.into place by the Welsh Rugby Union or which is more sustainable for us.
:01:57. > :02:01.There are a lot of balls in the air and a lot of decisions to be made.
:02:01. > :02:06.A lot of parties working hard on all the different levels. Hopefully
:02:06. > :02:10.we will be able to put a model in place that is the right one. I am
:02:10. > :02:16.excited about the future of the Cardiff Blues. Plenty to ponder.
:02:16. > :02:21.Let's get the view of Tom Shanklin. What are your thoughts on the
:02:21. > :02:26.migration of these players from Wales in general? Casey Laulala it
:02:26. > :02:31.is going. It is a shame to lose these players. The readers do want
:02:31. > :02:36.them but it is Welsh rugby. It is all the regions. They can't compete
:02:36. > :02:39.with the likes of England and France. You can't blame the players
:02:39. > :02:46.because the player could earn double money elsewhere. Something
:02:46. > :02:50.needs to be done. You don't want to lose all your best players. You are
:02:50. > :02:59.still in touch with the Blues players. Gethin Jenkins, Norway's
:02:59. > :03:03.he going to end up? I am not sure. I know he would like to stay here
:03:03. > :03:12.but it is whether, financially, the Cardiff Blues can't afford to him.
:03:12. > :03:22.Time will tell. Ulster at back on. Don't forget the red button. It is
:03:22. > :03:56.
:03:56. > :04:05.our commentary team. The teams allowed to and as they
:04:05. > :04:11.are as they left at the end of the first half. No changes. That last
:04:11. > :04:18.gas kick by Dan Parks has brought the Blues back into it within a try.
:04:18. > :04:22.They have the use of the breeze in the second half. They had the
:04:22. > :04:31.possession a first half and Ulster had the territory. We will see how
:04:31. > :04:41.things pan out in the next 40 minutes. It is a tight battle
:04:41. > :04:41.
:04:41. > :05:28.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:05:28. > :05:38.between the both teams vying for been in the Ulster 22 for the whole
:05:38. > :05:56.
:05:56. > :06:06.and that is the perfect start to the second half for the Cardiff
:06:06. > :06:08.
:06:08. > :06:16.Blues. A fantastic start. What a sweet pass. It was a well deserved
:06:16. > :06:25.the finish by Dan Parks. Gorges sequence of per a -- gorgeous
:06:25. > :06:31.sequence of play. If floated on the wind. He knows there is no one
:06:31. > :06:40.there and in he goes. A-grade stars for the Cardiff Blues. It is worth
:06:40. > :06:47.seeing that one again. Very nearly finished. The ball retained, that
:06:47. > :06:55.is the thing. We were talking in the first staff about space and the
:06:55. > :07:05.outside and that is exactly what Dan Parks found. If you throw those
:07:05. > :07:21.
:07:21. > :07:28.missed bores you have to be the second half. What a great angle.
:07:28. > :07:38.You appreciate the vision and the angle. The Blues did not panic,
:07:38. > :07:42.
:07:42. > :07:52.points for the Cardiff Blues as they get the perfect start to the
:07:52. > :08:09.
:08:09. > :08:14.Parks in the opening four minutes of the second half. Ironic smiles
:08:14. > :08:24.and the crowd because they are asking themselves the same question.
:08:24. > :08:24.
:08:24. > :09:42.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:09:42. > :09:51.How Ken he have executed that? hard. As is so often the case, the
:09:51. > :09:58.whole closed quickly. Watch him come in. Not quite in control
:09:58. > :10:03.before contact. Some good words in the Blues dressing room at half
:10:03. > :10:10.time, I would suggest! Not sure they took the right pass on that
:10:10. > :10:15.occasion. At least they are getting the ball away out of the tackle.
:10:15. > :10:19.They're trying to look for the early passes before contact and it
:10:19. > :10:24.makes such a difference a star a Scarlets could have hardly have
:10:24. > :10:34.wished for a better start. Not many sides winning out there at the
:10:34. > :10:54.
:10:54. > :11:01.now, resettled and try to get their patterns going as they did in the
:11:01. > :11:11.first half. It is all Cardiff Blues. I don't think we have had a recess
:11:11. > :11:11.
:11:11. > :12:45.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:12:45. > :12:55.going to have to run into the wind. There is a different pace in
:12:55. > :13:18.
:13:18. > :13:22.breaks in the modern game. That was show was on the inside. I think it
:13:22. > :13:29.was Lloyd Williams who got back. That was a brilliant tackle.
:13:29. > :13:39.Lookout Tom James coming back. Go scrambled defence. There was a very
:13:39. > :13:39.
:13:39. > :14:21.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:14:21. > :14:25.to that kick there. They burst into applause. It is a different game
:14:25. > :14:29.this second half. It is totally different. Any ball
:14:29. > :14:34.in the Blues half and Dan Parks will hit the corners. You see how
:14:34. > :14:37.accurate he is there. It is difficult for Ulster to play in
:14:37. > :14:47.their own half. It is giving Ben Blair and Tom James the chance to
:14:47. > :14:48.
:14:48. > :14:52.now. They've got themselves on level terms and they've got half-
:14:52. > :15:01.an-hour. Ulster know that it is going to be a battle for them for
:15:01. > :15:05.Mallon. -- from now on. Ruan Pienaar with one of those books
:15:05. > :15:13.kicks Tom Shanklin was talking about. Mustoe gets the chance to
:15:13. > :15:20.counter. The Blues back three will know what to expect now. Good
:15:20. > :15:30.charge from Cory Hill. Xavier Rush in support. The ball is stripped in
:15:30. > :15:44.
:15:44. > :15:52.Warren Gatland will be happy that Lloyd Williams hasn't picked up an
:15:52. > :15:55.injury. An anxious time for the national coach, having released a
:15:55. > :16:05.number of players back to the regions.
:16:05. > :16:25.
:16:25. > :16:32.Not an easy call, is it? He's had Right down on his feet. And it came
:16:32. > :16:36.off him, back to the Bees players. That is offside. He is quite
:16:36. > :16:46.passive about it but he would be pleased with this. Just came on.
:16:46. > :16:53.
:16:53. > :16:57.from the line-out from Ulster in a defensive position. Can they get
:16:57. > :17:03.themselves anywhere near that kind of formation from here?
:17:03. > :17:13.Get the old arrowhead. They can chew up the 50 metres also to the
:17:13. > :17:37.
:17:37. > :17:41.No challenge from the Blues, they went for the drive instead. Well
:17:41. > :17:48.detective. It has gone to ground now. Ulster would be happy with
:17:48. > :17:58.that. They will have to do it all again. Hendry was on his own. Well-
:17:58. > :18:18.
:18:18. > :18:28.releasing it out wide. A drive on from Nigel Brady. That is better
:18:28. > :18:44.
:18:44. > :18:50.the slow ball. Not looking to beat the tackle, just looking to engage
:18:50. > :18:59.a few defenders. He did try to and pop it up, and lucky. It went
:18:59. > :19:02.forward. Nice try. Those offloads are really worth a look.
:19:02. > :19:09.Deserving applause for Cory Hill. He has done well and the experience
:19:09. > :19:13.of Ma'ama Molitika can add to the Blues.
:19:13. > :19:23.Cory Hill will be pleased with his line-out forward. Had some good
:19:23. > :19:30.
:19:30. > :19:35.pressure in the first half. Look at the options Dan Parks has outside
:19:35. > :19:39.him. The defence is set but it must hold because he has Cardiff Blues
:19:39. > :19:49.players outside him, deep, as options. It allows him to put in
:19:49. > :20:00.
:20:00. > :20:04.for Twickenham. What was the experience like for you here?
:20:04. > :20:08.It was so real coming out here for the Blues because I haven't really
:20:08. > :20:13.done it for Cardiff and the wondrous, really. Awesome to see
:20:13. > :20:16.everyone down here. Great atmosphere.
:20:16. > :20:22.Next score for the Blues? We managed to battle through the
:20:22. > :20:25.first half and we have got back to even Stevens and hopefully we can
:20:25. > :20:35.win. Let's hope we get a win at
:20:35. > :20:49.
:20:49. > :20:54.but he is under real pressure. hearts in their mouths. It looked
:20:55. > :20:59.as though the charge from Xavier Rush would get in clear on their 22
:21:00. > :21:09.but now they are back in their own in-goal area, almost. Looking to
:21:10. > :21:22.
:21:22. > :21:29.happy with time to clear from the try line.
:21:30. > :21:39.They will be very, very grateful for that penalty. It is good work
:21:40. > :21:45.
:21:45. > :21:55.coming through their faults -- from number who would save Cardiff was
:21:55. > :21:55.
:21:55. > :22:49.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:22:49. > :22:55.came off the knee and this is the one. It came off the hand.
:22:55. > :22:59.Gavin Evans in front of him as well. Martyn Williams wondering whether
:22:59. > :23:09.any Ulster players touch it after it came off Ian Whitten that they
:23:09. > :23:15.
:23:15. > :23:25.Michael Paterson. He's had his fair share of graft in the second row
:23:25. > :23:47.
:23:47. > :23:55.this season and is up there again early. It went back, says the
:23:55. > :24:05.referee. He had half turned, ready. That is what he had in his favour.
:24:05. > :24:16.
:24:16. > :24:26.He had half turned. season last year. Great take from
:24:26. > :24:36.
:24:36. > :24:44.Michael Paterson's great tackle. Tom James. No, into a forest of
:24:44. > :24:54.bodies. It is not being judged a charged down, it is being judged a
:24:54. > :25:23.
:25:23. > :25:29.between them. Static, this time. Makes defending that much easier.
:25:29. > :25:34.Did that go forward? No, says the referee. Tom James is in the clear.
:25:34. > :25:40.The two Gavin's combine and that could be a very important try from
:25:40. > :25:45.Tom James for the Cardiff Blues. Gavin Henson with the ball. Gavin
:25:45. > :25:54.Evans with the run. It is a delayed pop pass into the gap. Evans is
:25:54. > :25:59.running at the gap and it is two on one. We have seen the Blues players
:25:59. > :26:08.do it. The gaps close. On that occasion, Ulster did read it quick
:26:08. > :26:13.enough and that is a very nice centres because Gavin Henson
:26:13. > :26:17.doesn't Telegraph it, he delays the pass. It is right on the game line.
:26:17. > :26:27.Very nicely done. The Ulster defenders thought it was
:26:27. > :26:29.
:26:29. > :26:39.decision. Any doubt, go with the attacking
:26:39. > :27:06.
:27:06. > :27:10.it is Ulster playing into the wind before Ulster. They have won their
:27:10. > :27:17.last three games, picking up a bonus point each time. It is
:27:17. > :27:24.Munster, Edinburgh and the Dragons. Now they will be happy to scramble
:27:24. > :27:30.away from here with a win and they've got a lot of work to do it.
:27:30. > :27:34.They did it to Leicester in the European Cup. This is a very
:27:34. > :27:44.capable Ulster side and the second half Blues performance has been
:27:44. > :28:05.
:28:05. > :28:15.after their recent run in both competitions but now they have to
:28:15. > :28:19.
:28:19. > :28:29.Humphreys could do. They saw the ball go forward before it went out
:28:29. > :28:41.
:28:41. > :28:44.the Blues keep the same mix of play with 18 minutes to go or if Dan
:28:44. > :28:54.Parks starts kicking more because it has been a good running game
:28:54. > :28:54.
:28:54. > :30:08.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:30:08. > :30:16.Gwyn Jones, all wants all Wales to follow this programme. The Dragons
:30:16. > :30:26.and at home to Edinburgh tomorrow night and on S4C. We will be
:30:26. > :30:52.
:30:52. > :31:02.looking forward to Twickenham next it was. He has got a yellow card as
:31:02. > :31:05.
:31:05. > :31:15.well. A yellow is just salt in the wound. Ian Humphreys looks to these
:31:15. > :31:25.guys. He read the inside ball but he did not get himself into the
:31:25. > :32:02.
:32:03. > :32:12.position to get into full a -- to It never looked good.
:32:13. > :32:14.
:32:14. > :32:22.A change at hooker for Ulster. Andy Kyriacou comes on. Dan Biggar has
:32:22. > :32:32.got a penalty. The Ospreys now lead 13-0. It was a 7:30pm kick-off
:32:32. > :32:32.
:32:32. > :33:23.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:33:23. > :33:29.point for the Blues, Michael Before you know it, it is her the
:33:29. > :33:39.trade Matt Ryan from the Blues talisman. -- it is another
:33:39. > :33:49.
:33:49. > :33:57.trademark run from the Blues contribution to get the Blues going
:33:57. > :34:07.forward. A-grade try by the Cardiff Blues. -
:34:07. > :34:11.
:34:11. > :34:15.- a great. He leaves the line and then we see Dan Tuohy. A great line
:34:15. > :34:25.from Gavin putting Gavin events in. You can see Dan Tuohy's
:34:25. > :34:38.
:34:38. > :34:47.He decided it was the Ulster front row going down. He does not mess
:34:47. > :34:57.about with the scrums. He gives penalties a rather than the recess.
:34:57. > :35:32.
:35:32. > :35:38.There is a stinging penalty count scores adrift and the Blues are
:35:38. > :35:43.looking strong. I have got Ben Blair with me. You
:35:43. > :35:48.play at the Arms Park in the old days, how does the atmosphere
:35:48. > :35:52.compare with what you are used to? It feels exactly the same. We just
:35:52. > :35:56.got back in their efforts up there is a great atmosphere here on the
:35:56. > :36:03.Friday night was that the boys are enjoying themselves. What you
:36:03. > :36:08.prefer? The city stadium or here? prefer the other one when it his
:36:08. > :36:18.fault. If the Cardiff City Stadium was for all the way, we would be
:36:18. > :36:19.
:36:19. > :36:29.down there for. I think there is a future for Ben Blair in the
:36:29. > :36:59.
:36:59. > :37:09.They have sacrificed a Robbie Diack breakdown so all stir have a
:37:09. > :37:19.
:37:19. > :37:24.penalty. -- so Ulster have the have to concentrate after the score
:37:24. > :37:30.not give something back immediately. Paul Marshall has been playing well
:37:30. > :37:40.for Ulster this year. He has featured in all the games. When he
:37:40. > :37:53.
:37:53. > :38:03.comes on, Ruan Pienaar is more than two has got gaps, it has been
:38:03. > :38:05.
:38:05. > :38:10.closed to one by a Ruan Pienaar. -- the two score gap. Look at his
:38:10. > :38:20.carry. A good 20 metres. The key for me was the speed of that ball.
:38:20. > :38:20.
:38:20. > :39:13.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:39:14. > :39:21.difference as we go into the final campaign for Ireland. They're going
:39:21. > :39:31.to play four games in four weeks. The other side isn't happy with the
:39:31. > :39:31.
:39:31. > :40:29.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:40:29. > :40:39.it has the blue right Wing of that got him. -- it was the Blues right
:40:39. > :41:03.
:41:03. > :41:13.Cardiff. I think that will be when debt when Jamie Roberts was
:41:13. > :41:38.
:41:38. > :41:48.last in the terrace -- I wonder will be at a going for the Blues if
:41:48. > :42:25.
:42:25. > :42:35.they can hang on to this one. -- is for her to. Textbook. Very nicely
:42:35. > :42:47.
:42:47. > :42:57.McComish has come on so Robbie Diack stays off. Ruan Pienaar
:42:57. > :42:57.
:42:57. > :44:02.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:44:02. > :44:10.back in their own territory in the downfield but they can't afford to
:44:10. > :44:20.give away possession. There is only as a four men has left Foster --
:44:20. > :44:28.
:44:28. > :44:33.referee. It isn't the second drive for Tom James. The celebrations are
:44:33. > :44:37.in vain. The referee had blown much, much earlier.
:44:37. > :44:42.What for? A knock-on, I think he has given.
:44:42. > :44:52.Gavin Henson was waiting and waiting. Ulster had the numbers and
:44:52. > :45:00.
:45:00. > :45:10.he knew it. He had to pick off the think they are in. Tom James, picks
:45:10. > :45:18.
:45:18. > :45:27.a nice angle and finishes it off It is there. Gavin Evans going
:45:27. > :45:33.backwards, losing it forwards. It was a long, long play on by the
:45:33. > :45:37.referee. A long advantage being played.
:45:37. > :45:40.It was one of those melees went when you have a close look at it,
:45:41. > :45:46.you can't work it out. It was on full of stuff. They had
:45:46. > :45:56.men on the outside and Gavin Henson picked on the interception and Dan
:45:56. > :45:56.
:45:56. > :46:49.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds
:46:49. > :46:55.Parks and Tom James thought they praying that the distance is too
:46:55. > :47:05.great for Dan Parks. Because if this goes over, it takes away their
:47:05. > :47:18.
:47:18. > :47:27.Big second of turnaround and I think the guy has been that the
:47:27. > :47:32.half older it -- at the heart of it. Xavier Rush. What a game he has
:47:32. > :47:37.had! At his go for would best. Ulster will realise the irony when
:47:37. > :47:44.he almost signed for them. He and Michael Paterson put in sterling
:47:44. > :47:49.efforts in particular. Why give the ball away there? Putting themselves
:47:49. > :47:54.under pressure with one play to go. This is the final play. Is there
:47:54. > :48:02.time for the scrum? There isn't. It is a high peak of homecoming to the
:48:02. > :48:05.Arms Park -- a happy homecoming for the Cardiff Blues. Two wins from
:48:05. > :48:10.two games. What an important win that was because it takes the
:48:10. > :48:15.Cardiff Blues up into the play-off positions for the moment at least.
:48:15. > :48:19.A hard-fought game. Ulster's winning roll comes to an end and
:48:19. > :48:23.they settle for a losing bonus point. It is the Cardiff Blues to
:48:23. > :48:31.take the four points and the pleasure of rising above their to
:48:31. > :48:35.Irish rivals for the time being. Two tries to one for the Blues and
:48:35. > :48:45.the turnaround in the second half. Another job well done as far as
:48:45. > :48:50.
:48:50. > :48:55.they are concerned. The Blues have Ulster had the best of the first
:48:55. > :48:59.half. Robbie Diack outpacing Lloyd- Williams. The only try of the half
:49:00. > :49:04.after a mistake at the Cardiff line-out. The Blues had the best
:49:04. > :49:08.possible start to the second half, Dan Parks pouncing when Ben Blair
:49:08. > :49:13.came within inches of the line. Tom James then sprinted over to put the
:49:13. > :49:17.Blues into the lead. The Blues found a new lease of life during
:49:17. > :49:24.the second half. Xavier Rush punching holes at will and Ian
:49:24. > :49:28.Humphreys yellow card allowed the bid is to extend their lead further.
:49:28. > :49:38.21-14 the final score to the Blues. Let's have a look at the match
:49:38. > :49:42.
:49:42. > :49:43.the possession than in the first the possession than in the first
:49:43. > :49:48.half. We talked about a lack of fluency from the Blues but they
:49:48. > :49:52.came back with much more ferocity and intensity in the second half?
:49:52. > :49:57.The breakdown went well for them. They highlighted that and they did
:49:57. > :50:01.win clean ball but they were always on the front foot. Dan Parks has a
:50:01. > :50:09.great tactical kicking game. He puts the Cardiff Blues on the front
:50:09. > :50:15.foot. Xavier Rush man of the match without a shadow of a doubt.
:50:15. > :50:21.Constantly made holes and put the blaze on the front foot. -- but the
:50:21. > :50:25.Blues. He generated quick ball and they were a totally different side.
:50:25. > :50:28.You called it at half-time, saying it would be a different match in
:50:28. > :50:33.the second half and that is what it proved to be.
:50:33. > :50:37.Straight from the kick-off. Llong restart, kicking for the territory.
:50:37. > :50:42.Dan Parks is a tactical kicker and he showed that. Sitting back in the
:50:42. > :50:46.pocket and kicking for the corners. A word for Xavier Rush, man of the
:50:46. > :50:50.match. He was going to move to Ulster last year but he was a
:50:50. > :50:55.towering presence tonight? He was. The crowd were cheering. It
:50:55. > :50:59.was great that the Blues were back here. Players feed off that. You
:50:59. > :51:05.hear it. They certainly carry the ball well today.
:51:05. > :51:08.Speaking of Xavier Rush, he is with Phil still now.
:51:08. > :51:12.Well done. How was your Arms Park experience?
:51:12. > :51:16.The atmosphere was as stand-in. The crowd were behind us. It is great
:51:16. > :51:21.to be back. Is it all the more pleasing to beat
:51:21. > :51:27.Ulster at home, given the history between you?
:51:28. > :51:31.There is no personal vendettas there. And as grateful for this
:51:31. > :51:37.team to have a win. We need it for the Magners League. We know Munster
:51:37. > :51:41.are it -- Ulster are a great side. We needed a big performance.
:51:42. > :51:48.It is also known as the competition -- as the RaboDirect Pro12 League,
:51:48. > :51:54.of course. Given the uncertainty throughout the whole of the regions,
:51:54. > :51:59.what is the uncertainty? I mean, we are just concentrating
:51:59. > :52:06.on playing 80 minutes and giving our best, to be totally honest.
:52:06. > :52:12.Casey Laulala is going. For you, can you tell us about your future?
:52:12. > :52:15.I'm going to sign up for next year, yeah.
:52:16. > :52:19.You are the RaboDirect Pro12 League man of the match.
:52:19. > :52:26.Xavier Rush, the man of the match. Kingsley Jones has been taking a
:52:26. > :52:31.close look at his contribution I thought he was outstanding from
:52:31. > :52:36.the minute they started. Xavier Rush carried on the first minute,
:52:36. > :52:41.playing out of the 22. He had more support in the second half. Here we
:52:41. > :52:46.see him. A big carry. This is what you need from the big carriers when
:52:47. > :52:51.other players are away, like Jamie Roberts. Paddy Wallace, the
:52:51. > :52:56.experienced international, straight over the top of him. Great carry.
:52:56. > :53:00.This really lifts the team. Look at the yard he is making. This quick
:53:00. > :53:08.ball led to the yellow card. An outstanding performance from him,
:53:08. > :53:12.probably the best performance of The Ospreys and the Scarlets are
:53:12. > :53:17.both in action tonight. A new era for the Ospreys. Their first game
:53:17. > :53:26.under Steve Tandy at be Liberty Stadium against Aironi. It is
:53:26. > :53:34.currently 16-0. We will see that shortly. The Scarlets are 13-tent
:53:34. > :53:39.up away to Leinster in Dublin. -- 13-10. Gavin Henson had a good game
:53:39. > :53:42.in the second half. The whole team were better in the
:53:42. > :53:49.second half. It is good seeing him with ball in hand because he was
:53:49. > :53:53.hitting too many rucks in the first half. Some lovely touches to put
:53:53. > :53:57.him into the hole. He needs to get into the game more because he can
:53:57. > :54:01.put people in space. How do you explain the difference
:54:02. > :54:07.in the second half? Lacklustre first half but they came out all
:54:07. > :54:10.guns blazing. What was said in the half time changing room?
:54:10. > :54:14.I'm sure the coaches would have been disappointed with the first
:54:14. > :54:20.half. A lack of intensity. They sat back and didn't look like a team
:54:20. > :54:25.who had been together for any time. Everyone knew they were better than
:54:25. > :54:29.that but in the second half, they had to deliver and ensure that the
:54:29. > :54:36.coaches put that across at half- time. They were a totally different
:54:36. > :54:41.side. Tom was down on the touchline and it was blustery in favour of
:54:41. > :54:46.Ulster in the first half. In the second half, the boos used it well.
:54:46. > :54:49.Someone who contributed to that victory is Paul Tito.
:54:50. > :54:52.It was a different brews in the second half. What was said at half-
:54:52. > :54:58.time? The conditions played a part in the
:54:58. > :55:02.first half. It was breezy and we didn't make too many yards. I think
:55:02. > :55:05.the wind was bigger than people thought so we were composed at
:55:05. > :55:09.half-time. We knew we would start well and we did that.
:55:09. > :55:12.You are right in the next for the play-offs?
:55:12. > :55:17.We haven't been far away all year but we are there or thereabouts.
:55:17. > :55:20.That puts us in front of Ulster now so it is a pleasing result. Not
:55:20. > :55:24.many people were expecting us to win tonight and we wanted to put in
:55:24. > :55:26.a performance because we were disappointed that last week but we
:55:26. > :55:30.rectified that and we move on to next week.
:55:30. > :55:35.I asked Xavier Rush, the uncertainty in the four regions.
:55:35. > :55:38.How important is it that the regions do win these games in this
:55:38. > :55:42.season? With the Welsh teams doing so well,
:55:42. > :55:47.the regions have to up the ante and give results. That is what we are
:55:47. > :55:51.striving to do. We want to get a win and we are doing it at the
:55:51. > :55:55.moment but we don't take anything for granted.
:55:55. > :55:59.Turn up to work on Monday. What about next season?
:55:59. > :56:01.I don't know what is going on, actually. We will wait and see what
:56:01. > :56:07.happens. Two from two at the Arms Park,
:56:07. > :56:11.Commons? Not bad, is it? A good game today.
:56:11. > :56:21.Thoroughly enjoying it. Let's have a look at the table and
:56:21. > :56:21.
:56:21. > :56:27.into 4th place. This doesn't reflect the other games going on
:56:27. > :56:33.tonight. We can have a quick look at what is happening at the Liberty
:56:33. > :56:37.Stadium. It is still 16-0. This is the last Dan Biggar penalty which
:56:37. > :56:47.put them into the lead. Two penalties from him tonight, along
:56:47. > :56:47.
:56:47. > :56:51.We can go to Justin Burnell with the winning coach.
:56:51. > :56:55.Well done on the wind. What did you think at half-time?
:56:56. > :57:00.A lot of belief. Last week we went through some bad patches against
:57:00. > :57:03.Connacht but you could see with the way we played the game, our
:57:03. > :57:07.intensity and intent in the physicality stakes. We were
:57:07. > :57:11.confident going in and absolutely over the moon.
:57:12. > :57:16.A word for Xavier Rush? He has still got it, hasn't he? A
:57:16. > :57:21.point to prove that they gave him a roasting in the week about
:57:21. > :57:24.different things against, not so I was pleased with the reaction. It
:57:24. > :57:27.is all about everything as a group, you know.
:57:27. > :57:32.You are in the play-off position. Can you stay there?
:57:32. > :57:36.I think we can. We have some tough games but we have a game in hand
:57:36. > :57:41.and we are in 4th place. We also have our Heineken Cup quarter-
:57:41. > :57:44.finals to play for. Two from two in the Arms Park. Do
:57:44. > :57:50.you want to stay? Yes please.
:57:50. > :57:53.I'm just hearing it is 13-13 between the Scarlets and Leinster.
:57:53. > :57:59.Briefly, Tom Shanklin, Blues up to four. Can they stay there?
:57:59. > :58:04.I think they can. I think it's great to be back here, it lifts the
:58:04. > :58:08.players. It was a tough win. They are no mugs and they are playing
:58:08. > :58:12.well in the Heineken Cup, Ulster. They didn't score enough points in