Leinster v Blues Scrum V Live

Five they are one of the most feared teams in the northern

hemisphere. European champions Leinster are top of their pool in

Europe. They have climbed to second in the lead. But the Blues on a

roll of their own. Four straight wins and a flawless record in the

Heineken Cup. Tonight they enter the cauldron of the Royal Dublin

Showground. Where one winning run will come to an end. It's a tall

order for the Blues tonight. They haven't won in Dublin since 2004.

If they are to change that, they will have to do it the hard way -

as eight of their players are missing. They'll be up against a

partisan home crowd, more than 16,000 fans of packed into the

Royal Dublin Showground tonight. Welcome to Scrum V. I'm joined by a

former Wales internationals Jonathan Davies and Tom Shanklin.

The team are still boasting nine international players. Boosted by

the return of number eight, savvier Rush. It's a pack that contains a

Rush. It's a pack that contains a number of seasoned campaigners.

A few youngsters in their but looking at Dieter Pohl, Molitika,

Russia. That is where the game is going to be won or lost tonight,

purely because of the conditions. It's wet and windy in Dublin.

late change in the three-quarter line tonight. Fish has come in for

Czekaj, who pulled out with a hamstring strain. It's a fairly

exciting looking back line. It is. It hasn't been tinkered with too

It hasn't been tinkered with too much. Looking forward to seeing

Ceri Sweeney play tonight. He has sat on the bench for most of the

season. And Laulala, who I think is very exciting. We can head over to

Dublin now, where Phil Steel is with former Ireland hooker Shane

Byrne, they can talk us through the Leinster side. Yes, 41 caps for

Ireland, not a hint of hairnet. The Leinster side, not their best by

any means but still pretty useful. For absolutely. It's unusual having

the European Cup quite so close, so they are resting Sexton and Ross on

they are resting Sexton and Ross on the bench. But Colin is back and

watch O'Brien a number eight. Some people would say it's maybe his

best position. A typical Dublin night, blowing a gale. And night

night, blowing a gale. And night for the ball handlers or the man

handlers? The rain is staying away at the moment but it's going to be

wet underfoot. It's going to be about to pack up front. Lovely to

see the mullet is still intact on Shane Byrne. The conditions dictate

play, so how do you see this one going tonight? It's going to be won

and lost up front. I'd like to see Dan Fish come in, because he's got

a very tidy left foot and might take a bit of pressure off Ceri

Sweeney. You mentioned the rain, it's a tough place to go and play,

Dublin. Yes, it's wet underfoot and the wind makes it tricky. It

depends which way it's going. If it's going down field... If you've

got the wind at your back and to play a territorial kicking game and

tried to accumulate the points, and give you enough to see you through.

But if you are playing against it, you've got to try and keep it in

hand. It makes it tough for them because you've got to keep it in

hand and just play the clock. An interesting game. What they've

created on a Friday night is absolutely fantastic. For house all

the time, great atmosphere. It's a very tough place to go. Let's see

how they go. They are about to kick off. We can cross now two and a

commentary team of Phil Matthews regions have to dig deep into their

playing resources, as the national side squeezes in another extra

international to provide the financial resources. A tester for

Cardiff Blues in the home of the European champions on a raw and

blustery night. The referee is Andy McPherson, the Leicester born that

Scott. It's Ceri Sweeney to get us and the way for Cardiff Blues in

the light blue. Alongside me is Phil Matthews, former Ireland

flanker. Difficult conditions for both teams tonight. It's hard to

work out exactly which way the wind is blowing. It's going to be on

Cardiff's back in this first half. Leinster one to keep the ball in

hand. Sean O'Brien is going to be Blues do have the wind advantage in

this first half. We've had rain showers earlier so the ball might

be a bit slippery this evening. Cardiff Blues with some unfamiliar

faces. Mrs Tyrrell, the hooker. He played last year for Western force

in Australia. It looked as though he might have to retire. Just his

second league appearance. Cardiff Blues getting an early penalty.

Maybe a chance for us we need to line up the posts. Tito going short

of there. You might have thought Leinster would have sussed that one

league this season. This is his 127th League game. Largely on the

bench behind Dan Parks in the last few weeks. Has he got the the

accuracy with that one? Cardiff Blues get the lead they need in the

Ceri Sweeney, a lot of experience there. A slightly less experienced

Leinster access. Sean O'Brien is a get back possession very cheaply

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Ireland international from New was really little or no choice. In

some respects it's a lot easier for sides playing into the wind because

they have to carry the ball. The difficulty will come in the second

half, the challenge for Cardiff will be to get it right tactically

in the first half. The temptation is to make the overplay the wind.

They will want to get points on the board. This is the equivalent of a

virtually on the halfway line. might have to give this a bit of a

blast. I don't think it's quite as bad as the Ospreys experienced over

in goal way last weekend, but it's still pretty blustery year in the

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Leinster back on terms, playing attacking position just outside the

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tonight. Rush takes it up towards Leinster aggressively in defence.

That is a home penalty. Even though there's been a rotation policy here,

that famous Leinster defence is really holding true. So well

drilled. They don't over-committed to rocks. There's always one of two

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support. The home side playing really impressively. O'Brien is a

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real threat to the Blues' defence by Leinster. They showed their

continuity here. Rusedski has downward pressure there. He lays

the ball back well. He will come the other side... Just nudged

forward before it crosses the line, though? That's not conclusive there.

When you look at the expression on Rusedski's face, one of initial krb

the forward movement? It's one for Seamus Flannery.

If he made his decision, I would have thought he would have made it

positively. Hmmm. Very difficult to spot the ball. It might just have

gone on the line. Confirm I can award the try yes? That's correct.

The roar of approval from the royal Dublin showground. The flags are

flying as Leinster have the first try of the game. It's a lot easier

for renster because they only have one option, that's to commit to

going through the phases. That means everybody knows what the plan

is. Everybody was involved in that movement, backs forward. Nacewa

involved. They will be delighted with that start into this wind.

McFadden to try to get Leinster into double figures, inside ten

He's hit that one well, as well. 10-3, Leinster lead. Let's hear

from Shayne and Phil pitchside. said about the Blues having the

elements behind them. Already a try and a bit down. How worrying is

that? You have to say a superstar getting the penalty, what they

wanted with the wind behind them. Every time Leinster have been in

the 22 they've come out with some sort of score. Not what they wanted.

How's Rhys Ruddock doing this season? One of the youngest players

to cap the province in Ireland. There's loads to come from him.

They're off again. Over to you Nick. Nacewa with a burst out of defence.

hands on the ball at the mo.. So the wind is no real use -- use to

the moment. Possibly the wrong decision that with open spaces wide

stadium announcer. Cardiff Blues killing the ball outside the 22.

Another penalty shot for McFadden. Cardiff unable to slow up the

Leinster ball. They need to commit themselves to counter rucking and

get more forwards into the rucks to slow the Leinster ball down,

because so far it's Leinster gaining momentum all the way.

They're not being hit on the gain line. It's Leinster going forward,

through the phases relatively easily. Cardiff will have to do

that, it's clear what Leinster are going to do. They need to commit

much more players to those rucks, really slow down Leinster's ball.

It's not working for them at the moment. There's going to be a few

sharp words, I suppose, you could say halftime. It's going to be a

very different gave for Cardiff at halftime. Somebody needs to get the

word to Cardiff Blues to start to counter ruck. McFadden taking his

time with the kick then, from wide on the left-hand side. The royal

Dublin show ground has filled up remarkably since maybe ten minutes

before kickoff. Everyone leaving it late to get into the ground. They

didn't want to be out in the open longer than necessary. Thought it

might only be a half-full stadium. they like the look of this?

Beautifully placed by McFadden. Leinster's lead is already up to

ten points. You have to say well deserved as well. They've played

the conditions. They knew exactly what they needed to do. I have to

say Cardiff Blues will have to do more -- be more dynamic at rubgz.

Thraiz lot of time left in this in that contact area, as Phil has

halfway. Fish just misjudging the wind. That's so dispir riting to

the forwards now. That's an experience, you have to say, he

will have known what the wind was going to do there. The ball needed

to be touched. Maybe keeping the ball in hand, Cardiff will have to

build momentum themselves with ball in hand. Because the wind has been

behind them, the forwards are not in the game. They're chasing kicks

and making tackles. Ceri Sweeney and Richie Rees are going to have

to get the ball in hand and get some momentum and go through the

phases themselves. So far it's all line with a relatively simple move,

down the blind side. This time a bit of relief for the Blues. They

got themselves in a good position over the ball. But he came in and

dived on them and quite rightly near touch line. It's a welcome

option for the Blues to v, a left- Cardiff can build on this.

They need to get some momentum in the game, Cardiff Blues. Going with

the wind in the first half, but yet to take advantage of it.

The referee not satisfied with that throwing.

That's unfortunate. It was a good move they brought Xavier Rush to

all he surveys at the moment. It's been a pretty dominant Leinster

Leinster back row and Leo Cullen joining in.

That tackle from Tito and Hill combining on the touch line. Boss

choosing to go blind, overplaying the blind side there. He's running

out of room and not really giving his forwards any space to carry

that. Jennings driven into touch gives Cardiff another bite of the

cherry. Isaac Boss has been hugging the touch lines quite a bit in the

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Just shows how important possession is. Maybe they should have held

onto that, tried to pass out of a tackle, turn today over and that's

resulted in a penalty opportunity for Cardiff, which they'll gladly

carryer more and force mistakes like that to stop Leinster's

momentum. Ceri Sweeney with his second kick at goal. I would say

relatively simple, but I don't think any kicking is going to be

simple this evening with or against the wind. The wind at his back at

the moment. That's high enough and straight enough. Cardiff up to six

points to Leinster's 13. We come up to the quarter mark. If the Blues

are going to compete in this game, they'll need to be in the lead by

halftime. You would have thought so, but it doesn't, often it doesn't

work like that, because what Cardiff will do coming into the

second half is exactly what Leinster have been trying to do.

Very often the side playing into the wind are going to get the

scores. It's so much easier tactically playing into the wind in

some respects, even though it can kick. It's quite a risk in that

strong as it was. But it's still pass. I suspect it possibly was.

The officials weren't quite in line. He might just have mishit that one

as well. Carr goes back. Thankfully for Cardiff blues it doesn't roll

over the line. That's OK by Ceri Sweeney. They really haven't

thought at the moment. Seven-point advantage with one scrambled try

lost possession. He felt the wrong whistle. It's as much having three

defenders on the one tackle, and that is what thence to have been

doing in defence all day long. -- that is what Leinster have been

doing. This time they go for the sharper of thought. That's a major

the moment. I was just thinking that Leinster have started to ditch

a bit of their game plan. They were so tight and focused in carrying

the ball forward in the first 20 minutes, they are getting a little

bit loose as the kicking has come into the game. Let's have some

touchline thoughts on Scrum V. Where are the blue was going wrong

tactically at the moment? It's hard enough, Novak and being forced to

have a depleted side, but they are turning over too much ball. On the

ruck, the penalty... It's killing them. On the field, how do you put

something like that right in the middle of a half? They've got to

understand the conditions they are playing in. They can't fling the

ball around. At half-time at Ravenhill, will still lead the

Scarlets by 17-10. Highlights of in terms of the forwards running on

to possession? Cardiff Blues getting some fairly solid bodies

back there. Sweeney back behind the goal line. Ritchie Rees in position

going to bounce very well for the Cardiff Blues, but it was well

defended in the end. The Scarlets are now trailing 24-10 in Belfast.

That game kicked off an hour before game. The Blues need to get back at

least on terms before then, having had the wind at their backs in the

bit loose. They started apart a little bit from that early game.

Starting to try and get a bit more 10pm on BBC Two Wales. A tribute to

the late Wales football manager, Gary Speed. And a celebration of

Shane Williams' international with a 6:30pm kick-off at the

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Boss. Tremendous gains by Boss possession and territory too

He would rather run and kick, so would Laulala. Now there is Cardiff

Blues to attack if someone can get on Laulala's shoulder. He looked

desperately for the offload their. Mustoe 40 saw a gap close to the

forwards. -- thought he saw a gap. A penalty chance for the visitors.

That was much better defence by the Blues. Tom James particularly

stopping Leinster from getting bad ball wide. They got the turnover.

You can see that Tom James is cutting off the past there. They

weren't able to go wide. They get the penalty as well. They are

fighting their way back into this game. Against the wind and against

the grain, but they won't be too disappointed. The rain is starting

He has hit everything so well so far this evening. He won't be happy

with that. It looks like Cardiff Blues are alert to the quick one,

so Leinster are going to have to go the traditional route. The rain is

now drifting into the Leinster faces for the remaining eight

whistle at virtually every ruck at the moment. Leinster are doing what

Cardiff should be doing. They are really challenging and competing.

They are getting low body positions and committing two or three players.

Cardiff, and the other hand, are not committing enough to the

breakdown. Leinster have got two, three players around before Cardiff

have any supporting players to that break down. They've got to be

bench tonight. We don't expect them up for Leinster against Bath. The

second of those matches at the And into the wind, when possession

is so crucial, you really don't one. He was. You could see that

touch from Dan Fish, he was giving away an awful lot. Leinster want

the ball, why give it back to them? That was a good chase by Nacewa. In

conditions like that, you'd expect the ball back to be sitting back

waiting for that long kick, but that's not the way he plays the

they can't kick it directly into touch. Leinster are sitting back in

anticipation of a kick, but Cardiff Blues have to clear the ball from

to half-time. Leinster will be very satisfied indeed if they go in with

any sort of lead, having played into the wind. Yeah, they will be

happy with the scoreline. But they have slackened off a bid midway

through the second half. Interesting what their approach is

going to be for the second half because they're no means out of

sight. 13-6 is not a huge lead. It will be easier for Cardiff in terms

of what they're going to do. You know they're going to keep the ball

in hand, so it will be a lot easier for them tactically. Here is a role

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from the Cardiff Blues for words. closing moments of the first half

tick away, almost in slow motion at the moment, as they try to take it

the wrong side there. A bit of an exchange of opinions on the ground.

Healy didn't appreciate the hit when he was in the offside position.

That's all handbags though. Cardiff are taking the ball very deep.

Leinster are taking the ball right on the game line. That's how

they're getting in behind the Cardiff defence. Cardiff are

finding it very difficult to get moment. They are taking the ball

deep. Also they're not able to get numbers to support the ball carrier

but... He's just reminded not to get where he shouldn't be.

and Sweeney with the chance to reduce the deficit two out of three

Macpherson. Sweeney sends it high between the

uprights. 13-9, Leinster lead. What will Cardiff Blues have to do

differently in the second half? They will have to support the ball

carrier. They have to hope they get a bit of ball. When they get it,

they'll have to hold onto. It they have to support the ball carrier

and submit numbers to rucks when they're defending. Leinster are

going to get ball. It will be interesting, the temptation will be

to kick the ball away. Leinster have got a bit sloppy in the second

half. They won't want that to whether it was safe to get the ball

off the park. Now it will be. Maybe he didn't know that time is

Blues to concede now having had the chance to get the ball off the

paddock. Maybe someone else fancies Madigan eventually finding touch.

That is the last action of the first half. Leinster having the

four points advantage here on Scrum V Live. Let's cross to the touch

The Blues players coming in behind us. Tom James has done well in the

first half. Are the Blues still in this? Or is it going to be a long

second half? I think it could be a very long second half. I was

watching the line out there, all the Cardiff pack are walking to the

line out. They have to take every minute. They could do without

miskicks. They have to take their opportunities. It could be a long

second half. How would you play it if you were the Blues in They have

to do what Leinster did, take their opportunities in the first half.

They are going to have to run it now. The wind is getting worse.

They are going to have to have the patience, wait for the gaps and

take opportunities. There are big names on the Leinster bench. What

impact will they have? They'll be on with about 25 to go. I think

they'll all have a big effect. Ross will steady up the scrum. You'd

never think he's Irish would you, In blustery conditions in Dublin,

it was Leinster centre McFadden who struck first, reading the wind well.

Then some patient play led to the first try. Isaac Boss awarded the

score after consultation with the video ref. The Blues remained in

touch, via the boot of Ceri Sweeney. Tom, we spoke during the first half

about the tactics we've seen from the Blues this season. Encouraged

to spread it wide early. Perhaps that's not the tactics for tonight?

Probably not. The Blues like to play a wide game. It has proved

pretty successful so far. It looks windy out there. Maybe they need to

be a bit more direct, because there's been a few sloppy passes, a

few turnovers. What they need now is a big Jamie Roberts to get them

over the game line and get them into the game. The mention the

sloppiness. The conditions aren't great tonight. That's led to

sloppiness at the restarts as well. You know what the conditions are

going to be like. Have you to make sure it's a secure ball. With the

wind, they've had no momentum whatsoever. They've had no time in

the opposition 22. This is after they scored the three points. It's

a decent kick, but someone's got to claim it. That's one mistake. Then

I don't know what it is, just very sloppy at the moment. It's a tough

kick from, against the wind. Again they just leave it go. With the

handling errors, with the turnovers, with the line-outs not being

effective, they've got no momentum. At the moment, as we said before

the game, conditions, playing against it, you carry it. They've

won the battle of the gain the Leinster boys. Now in the second

half, it's now, if, you know, if you're -- you've not got the wind,

Cardiff have to pick up the game, carry the ball, get over the gain

line. McFadden has been kicking well. Conditions are very difficult

but he's reading the wind well. Very well. I don't think he's a

natural kicker really. But he's done a fantastic job there, a bit

like your golf shot there. What you find, when you're playing against

the wind, is that you have to play a bit more. Fair play to, who were

they playing now, I was going to say Ulster. Leinster! They are

playing, they are keeping the ball and looking after it. People don't

understand that when the wind is against you, it's pointless kicking

because they're just going to kick and put it back. Unfortunately the

blues don't have anything really positive it'll. One's gone too long.

They haven't found touch to put pressure on the line. They have

squad end -- skwaundered a lot of opportunities. There's a bit of

complacency. There have been a couple of occasions where they've

been ildisciplined in defence. Those three inside men are drifting.

Casey comes in on a blitz. You can't have three of your inside men,

right, drifting and then your outside man who is the axis,

blasting it. That led to the first try. If you are going to blitz like,

that have you to take man and ball. Leinster have done that three times

against the Blues. There have been a couple of opportunities where

they've gone over the top. That led to this try here. It's weird. We

weren't really sure if the try had been scored. Someone mentioned a

knock-on. The ball pops up somewhere that we miss today for a

split second. But there's only one man that's important, the TMO. He

gives it. It's a tough second half now for the Blues. If they're that

lax defencively, it's going to be really long. I think Leinster,

because they're dominant in the line-out, in the scrum, they're

strong, they will kick better. Madigan now will just skim it along

the ground and push pressure on and force the Blues to come from

distance. Every one of those boys will have to carry ball. There is a

Welsh team playing Ulster tonight, it's the scarlets. They're at Raven

dearie me! Can you believe it! Softest try in the world, given

going to get in? Oh, he is. that's going to go to the pocket

and the yellow card is produced. The bounce is kind for him. He was

away so quickly, there was nobody evening! Halftime here, at wintry

stopping Stephen Ferris. Five-and- a-half minutes remaining.

Is that legal or illegal? He's Is that legal or illegal? He's

right through and he's got the try. The final score was 24-17. Three

tries to the two for the scarlets, but not enough in the end. There's

plenty more sport across the weekend on BBC television, starting

with a moving tribute to Gary Speed on sport Wales.

# You're just too good to be true # Can't take my eyes off you

# You'd be like heaven to touch # BBC Cymru Wales has asked this song

to be recorded. It's part of the tribute to Gary Speed. Sport Wales

tonight at 10pm on BBC Two Wales. The PRO 12 continues tomorrow. The

Ospreys welcome Munster to the Liberty Stadium. Coverage starts on

S4C at 6.10pm. On Sunday the Dragons host Glasgow, also on S4C,

4.10pm. On scrum five, reaction to the big one, Wales v Australia.

That match will bring down the curtain on Shayne Williams'

glittering Test career. There are tickets available for those of you

who want to watch him take his bow. The match is live on BBC One Wales.

Tom, the tributes have been flooding in all weeks to Shayne

Williams. We've heard all the accolades that we will ever hear.

With someone who's played with him, must be special you have someone in

the same line with you who can turn the game. He was brilliant. In 2008,

he won Player of the Year. Our tactics going into the Grand Slam

was just give the ball to Shayne. People ask you who was the best

player I played with, for me, it's Shayne. We can have a look at the

Wales' team shortly. They're facing Australia. It's an interesting

selection. We have Matthew Rhys not starting, the fit again former

captain. Hugh Bennett rewarded for his World Cup form. He's retained

opportunity, Williams has played well and deserves a chance. The

midfield looks very strong. The back row butt macro it's a big test.

It's kind of unusual. One random It's kind of unusual. One random

test in the middle of December. But it's all to play for. It's a great

opportunity to give Shane a great send-off. But the Aussies last week,

the Barbarians were poor. But they showed how creative they are.

Because the front fives are a kind of... Maybe not used to seeing them

and he will have the upper hand there will be crucial. Maybe it

will be an open game. It should be a great test. Shane Williams has

been a legend. He has been a pleasure to watch and commentate on.

We can nip back to the touchline in in the studio. You have played

against him often enough. How is he regarded in Ireland and around the

rugby world? He is a tricky one. He's broken many a heart with that

sidestep of his. We know he is a try scoring machine. You'd look at

him and think he was going to be easy to handle but it never was the

case. He has pace, guile, he is cheeky. The game being what it is

these days, will we ever see somebody like that again?

Regardless how the game is, Shane was one-in-a-million. I think his

own record speaks for itself. He was fantastic. Amazing try scoring

record, and well deserved. It will be a long time before we find a way

they like him again. The wind seems to be picking up in the second half

now. Wonderful news! Dafydd Jones is with Rick O'Shea in the red zone

tonight. You can get in touch with them via text and Twitter. Welsh

language commentary also on the red job that this semi permanent

structure that we are in in the new stand seems to be pretty well built.

It is whistling around our ears as it blows in the back of the stands.

It will be Ian Madigan to get the second half under way with Leinster

four points to the good. The Blues having to play into the wind in the

Madigan. He has barely got the measure of the wind. It's very

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first half, Carr taking the ball a little bit too far behind the gain-

kicking into the wind in that first kicking duties in the last couple

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of weeks. -- kicking. He had 100 % ball in hand, as they have to be.

Richie Rees getting things going legged getting back there. They

have four or five men who are really just arriving on the scene

now, after Tom James kicked the for a moment there. Carr stepping

on the gas. Lovely inside support. What a charge from Nathan White.

What a moment! Nathan White a pace on the ball at all. They

forced Richie Rees to kick the ball away. They don't want to be kicking

the ball away when they are playing into the wind. Cardiff have got to

get momentum and into this game. If they don't get a quick ruck ball,

they are not going to be able to do that. They are going to force

Richie Rees course we need to kick the ball and go back a length. --

Richie Rees or Ceri Sweeney need to kick the ball. 21-9 is starting to

one of those that's going to get longer and longer as the night goes

on, I suspect. That's a real body blow so early in the second half.

Some word from the touchline. you were shaking your head in

despair at the Blues their - and why? They make it all the way up to

22, spent two places there and they kick the ball away. Absolutely

insane rugby. It led directly to that try. Kicking the ball away

when you have the wind against you like that is not the way to win the

Cup match against Edinburgh next week. There are not many players

demanding to be included in that game at the City stadium at the

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moment. You will be able to hear here? A big Heineken Cup double-

header coming up for Leinster against Bath in the next couple of

weeks. Leinster with that marvellous triumph back at the

Millennium Stadium back in May, they really seemed to have got the

hang of European rugby. They do, but I don't think you can

underestimate the contribution of the likes that Joe Smith has made.

He has insisted on creating a team that has got a lot of very big

profile names, but that is not pandering to the big profile names.

You can see the way the game plan is the same week in week out, with

the rotation policy. Nobody is bigger than the team they play in.

They are totally committed, they play quick, dynamic rugby and have

been able to add a bit of firepower up front which, before they won

their first Heineken Cup, they were bon rapport with. They really have

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on in that conversation with time at these rucks. It's just not

dynamic enough. The Police was going there. The support isn't

really quick enough to power through and take the defenders away.

generation in there. Rush is 34, Molitika, 37, Tito, 33. They've

been fined servants. But Leinster looking a bit more lively all round

the park and get into these breakdowns more quickly. They are

legitimately? The dice are loaded in favour of the attacking side.

Pretty difficult to bring them down or get your hands on the ball until

drop goal attempt. Leinster cruising through the boot of

McFadden. McFadden is a super footballer. Great with the ball in

the breakdown, they are forcing Cardiff to challenge illegally to

viewing for Sam Warburton and the Blues players, if they are keeping

a night on this at the Wales team hotel, as Leinster make another

An offside decision in the visitors' favour. That's too poor

reception kickoffs for Sykes. Shane Jennings will be kicking himself

for that. That's a front row mistake that. He took his eye off

the ball. It was a bit short for him. Can Cardiff make the most of

him. Can Cardiff make the most of to give up the chance of penalty

shots at goal. But at 26.9 you have to take decisive action. They have

to give themselves a boost as well. They need to get the ball into

hands in an attacking position. Could thb a yellow card coming?

It's certainly in the danger zone. Leinster down to 14. Leo Cullen,

the captain, gets a spell in the bin.

Well that first half penalty, one too many for Andrew Macpherson.

You'd have to say the drive deserved that. It looked as though

Blues go for the scrum against the brought someone in there.

Looks like they've got, is that... ten minutes when the captain is in

the bin ticking away. Two replacements props on for

Leinster. They had a much stronger bench than the Blues in terms of

experience. Difficult to tell who went down first there. As usual,

down here, playing into the wind. They reckon they have a bit of an

upper hand now. It's effectively seven against eight because Dave

Kearney isn't offering any weight in there. The crowd trying to

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provide the 15th man, since they're for them. The referee is looking

for a patch of grass that hasn't been churned up. He's gone the

other side of that muddy patch. think there's already about three

minutes or four minutes of Cullen's with this period of play.

But they've knock today forwards. The home crowd are -- knocked it

forwards. The home crowd are delighted. You'd think they'd won

the league with the reaction. Cardiff Blues' period of pressure

is in vain. I think it was John Yapp there. That gives Leinster a

potential get out of jail card. It's not over yet. They have to

hold the scrum. You can bet that John Yapp will try to make up for

that mistake. He's got Mike Ross into it. He was dying to get into

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Leinster really with their tails up after surviving that little spell

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in defence. They may be down to 14, defence, giving away another

playing advantage. Richie Rees will an offence and a card coming.

You're offside. Too many penalties. He stood right offside. Nine.

was playing along advantage. The reason he played that long

advantage as well, he was going to come back for the yellow card, if a

try didn't accrue there. That evened things up a little bit. It

makes things very difficult for Cardiff now. But they're kicking

the ball away again. They're just, don't seem to have the confidence

to keep the ball in hand. There's indecision when they're get pg the

ball, and just giving it back to Leinster. In this situation, you

just can't do that. So, we've got a change at scrum

half with Louise Redknapp coming on. -- Eoin coming on.

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of the match. He's offered himself Cardiff blues cracking. 14 aside,

Leinster get their third try and now they're oust sight. I really

like the look of Ian Madigan. He hasn't a lot to do in the first

half. He's not hanging back waiting for other people to do things. He's

been doing his fair share of the hard work in terms of rucks and

winning the ball etc. He's taken that chance really well. That's

where you want to see an out half like that. You want to see him

boot of Fergus McFadden. I think that will be his last touch, as Leo

Cullen returns. Let's hear turn it into points. What was the

reason? Once again a terrible turn around, a penalty within five yards

of the line. I would have gone for the linout. Leo Cullen off the

pitch, who's the main guy who disrupts them all. The linout had

been going well, making yards every time they went into a maul. They

chose to go into a scrum with two fresh props. 33 -9 down. What do

they do? They are professional players. They have to have some

pride in the Jersey. They have been in the Leinster 22 plenty of times.

They just can't convert. They have to do it again. Leinster are off

Leinster back up to 15. Macauley chance to relieve the pressure.

Rees slipping when he went in there. Rob Kearney is on as well. He comes

into what looks like he's coming onto the wing. Actually, he's gone

in at fullback with Nacewa in the centre at the moment.

Jonathan Sexton has come on for Ian Madigan. A real shuffle of the deck

for Leinster. too much, surely. Can the Blues

restore a bit of pride in these closing stages? Leinster have had

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the more powerful bench to play Leinster when they know that

Cardiff Blues have 80 metres to go. No specialist scrum half, Richie

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There is the bonus point for the home side to complete Cardiff

there. Look at the vision. He sees what he's got outside. One look up.

looking for. -- the bonus. Macro they were looking for. The that is

what makes an international player, the vision, the time to slow down

the game and do that amid all the 12 games this season. 88 % success

18 is Sam Hobbs, two replacements in the front row at hooker and prop

respectively. Mark Breeze is a former Ospreys who went to London

Welsh and Aberavon before the Blues picked him up. Along with Ryan

make that two. The Blues are falling apart. A dynamic run there.

Such place for a hooker. And kept going by Dave Kearney. Look at that.

Khromin, the confidence to not panic and hold on. -- Khromin. That

is a great pick-up with confidence by David Kearney, to keep that ball

Sexton. This is a bad night at the three defeats against Irish

opposition this weekend, will ask, is there a price to pay in terms of

points in the Pro 12, for the pounds they get through the

turnstiles at Wales against doesn't do Cardiff Blues players'

this fixture, beating the 34-15 margin back in 2005. Davies is on

at fly half for Cardiff Blues now. wasn't available this week. The

Blues will be hoping that he is back fit and raring to go against

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is not getting enough support to what the Blues are looking for in

Everything going wrong for the visitors. Some very tired Cardiff

Blues players racing back. Thankfully for them, it's gone the

whole way. They will come all the way back. There's a lot of wasted

effort going on out there at the of break. It spilled in the tackle.

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O'Meley with the big boot, just a try macro to be had for Cardiff

defence. Not quite the support of their to allow him to off load.

It's been a real feature, hasn't it? There is not going to be happy

downfield. Now will go to the touchline team. What effect will

this have on the Blues' confidence with the big double-header in

Europe coming up? For starters out there, there is and 15 players

missing. There seems to be a few guys throwing in the towel. It's

been a hard day and their backs have been against the wall, but

you'd expect a bit more fight from them. A Leinster, European

champions. Momentum building nicely. Joe Smith is quite happy with it.

He managed to bring the subs on exactly where he wanted to, they

have ticked the box has. He is touchline for Scrum V live

throughout the evening. Leinster back to the top of the Pro 12.

second half pressure. You have to pay tribute to the efficiency of

the home side. They would. They've used the wind very effectively but

Cardiff Blues have played into Leinster's hands by giving the ball

back any time they run through a couple of paces. Cardiff Blues have

had a big hand in their own Leinster in this second period.

Four tries from White, Madigan and Kearney, to add to the first half

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Blues have had the night of all nights to forget. Lacking eight to

the Wales squad, their replacements haven't been up to it on the night

against a powerful Leinster outbid. Leinster have been too disciplined,

too much of a team, they have been too good on the ball. Cardiff

haven't been able to match them for intensity, for ball-carrying. They

haven't been able to match them in the contact area. And they haven't

matched them in terms of using the wind. And all areas - Matkin all

let areas Leinster have been superior. This could well be the

last kick of the evening from Sexton. Cardiff Blues at least have

paid a heavy price for losing players to the Wales course this

weekend. But Leinster have produced Leinster, this is just an added

Really resounding victory for Leinster and a desperate night for

Cardiff Blues. Leinster 52, Cardiff Blues 9. Philip, your summary of

that second half? I was surprised the way the Blues capitulated in

the second half. With only one thing in mind, that was carrying

the ball and taking it two lengths, but they gave the ball back too

easily. Disappointed, but that does the top of the PRO 12 table, a

resounding victory. It's finished here Leinster 52 points, Cardiff

The Blues suffered a body blow early in the second half when

Nathan White finished off a sweeping attacking move. There was

a chink of lite when Leo Cullen was binned. Ian Madigan's superb angle

Then at the death, a try turned a bad night nort Blues into a

miserable one. A quick look at the table and the

Blues remain in fifth. Their confidence will be shattered after

that massive loss. Leinster climb Tom, as we say, bad night at the

office for your old team. Yeah, it was a pretty poor display. Leinster,

I wish they were playing Ulster I think, outplayed the Blues in all

aspects of the game. Their urgency were better. They were better in

the contact area. When they made breaks, they had people in support.

The Blues weren't great tonight. The region also has been hard done

by, the Welsh regions, with this one-off international. No other

home nation has an international. The Blues tonight, they're missing

six. Ospreys missing a fair few as well. We'll discuss that in a

moment. Let's go to the touch line now to Phil with Paul Tito. Paul,

commiserations. A bad night at the office. Just how bad? I thought,

well the wind we had the first half. We didn't use it as much as we

could have. Didn't get cles to scoring too many tries. Once they

went to the bin they ran a few tries in. It was a tough day at the

office and pretty disappointing result. We have to put our heads up

and crack on for next week. With all the players out, how

frustrating is it with a captain when you have to come here with

half a side? It doesn't help too much, does it? That's the way it

goes. We crack on to next week now. Talking of that, how much

confidence building have you got to do ahead of the double header?

boys have a big match tomorrow. We look forward to having them back

Monday and going back-to-back with Edinburgh and getting good results.

You're confident you can draw a line under this? We're not going to

dwell on this tonight. We'll lock at things we have to work on. We

have to get home tonight and crack on really. Thanks for coming up.

Jonathan, Paul Tito making exact lit same point as Tom, that Ireland

haven't got an international. one of these things. It's a cash

game tomorrow, isn't it? It is disappointing. You look at last

week where the Scarlets played the Dragons. If you look at the PRO 12,

there are good sides performing well in Europe. Yet it's stkruplted.

People are saying why aren't the crowds going. Well you don't see

the best players playing. Maybe that's something to do with it.

They have to structure it properly and give the regions a fair chance.

Tonight, totally outclassed in every department, as Tom said. But,

that won't affect them next week. They start again. The Heineken Cup,

players will be back. Forget this week. It's just a dreadful day at

the office. But one thing just summed it up for me, with the

conditions and everything, you know what you have got to do against the

wind, so just, this is it. They're carrying the ball, not much, they

don't get enough numbers in. There there's no real aggression in there.

They give a penalty away. 70 yards, that's playing with the wind. Then

a penalty. Gives it, Madigan an easy, not Madigan, McFadden, and he

drops a goal. It was so clinical. It was just easy. They were

absolutely annihilated, which was sad to see as a Cardiff Blues ex-

player and as a Welsh rugby fan. But then they went on and scored

lovely tries. It shows again the basics were very poor with the

Blues tonight. They have gone through a couple of phases. They

are doing nothing in attack. A kick is as good as a chase. Watch this,

the kick's a bit too far. Look at tkhais. You have to hold the line

and communicate. That is a dreadful There you go. You won't -- he won't

have seen a line like that for a while, would he? You can see why

they're the European champions. There's great strength in depth

there as well. They broad Sexton, Reddan on. They are class players.

They played a different tempo. They could go up a couple of years. As

we saw in the Heineken Cup final in the second half. They're just

powering over the gain line. Tito coming late to fill the gap, bang,

quick feet. There's a hooker on the edge as well. Madigan spots it. He

comes on a short ball. He's too quick. That's great angle and great

thought. But it's all from going forward. They're going forward,

going forward, quick ball and you cannot defend it, especially when

you have slower forwards on the fringe. The Blues had a chance

around the 50 minute mark. Leinster were down to seven men in the pack.

They could have gone for a line-out or scrum. They went for the scrum.

But no points. They had five or six scrums. Xavier Rush took the ball.

Had the Blues been able to score a try then, they may have been in the

game. Five scrums, perhaps should they have kicked to the corner and

taken a line-out at that stage? Probably now, looking at the game.

They had the pump in them, Tito said, so with a man short, that was

an option. They were winning the scrum. It was the knock-on which

caused the turnover. Thats watt story of the game. There are two

things: No-one carried the ball tonight. They didn't go forward.

They didn't lay a platform. Then the counter-rucking bit Leinster

forwards. The body angles was wrong and the Irish boys piled in and

turned the ball over. When you turn the ball over with the wind, bang

it 80 yards and have you to start again. That's demoralising. But you

have to do the basics well in those conditions. A lot of, it as you

know, you go over to Ireland, right, when it's wet, windy and horrible,

right, you've got to go there in the right frame of mind. If you

don't, that's what happens. Let's turn our attention to the big Test

match tomorrow, Wales versus Australia. I've been to visit both

There's a buzz here already. Certainly an edge to this match.

But also a sense on the outside that Wales are at the start of a

renaissance. These are sciegt times for Welsh rugby. As someone who

hangs around English rugby a bit, there's envy about the young

players, the direction they have and this game looks like the start

of the Six Nations build up for Wales. Everybody will be watching

with a great sense of anticipation. Today is Shayne Williams day. So

Shayne announced the team this morning to the boys. He's playing

in training this afternoon. Perhaps the most obvious surprise selection

today is the fact that Matthew Rhys is on the bench. I've asked for the

reasoning behind that. He said he was rewarding Hugh Bennett for his

form at the World Cup. We sat down as coaches and debated the

selection of both hookers and then we felt that Hugh deserved the

opportunity to continue, considering his form was as good as

it was in New Zealand. I think it's fair to say this is

one of the most surreal training sessions I've ever been to. Most

teams would be terrified of the prospect of just one Shayne

Williams. At the moment there's 30 The Australia coach has just named

his team to face Wales. We'll have a word with some of the players.

Shayne has really changed the way that the wing position is being

played. Previous to him the winger was just the guy who sat out and

waited for the ball to be passed across the back line or took inside

passes. He's changed that role no a ball-playing, attacking threat.

biggest thing will be Shayne Williams last game at Millennium

Stadium. That's huge for Wales. We're aware of how much he's done

for Welsh rugby and how dangerous he is as a player. So, probably

keeping a close eye on him. It's going to be a special day for him,

with a lot of emotion running high, I imagine. Yeah, for us as the boys

we want to get behind him and make the day as special as it can be for

him. He's been a great servant to Welsh rugby. He's going to be a

living legend for Welsh rugby. Yeah, we want to send him off on a high.

It's is Shayne Williams day, so we have pictures of Shayne, just

getting stuck into him for the banter. It will be emotional, but I

want to go out there and play some rugby, you know, give a big

performance, permly and collectively as a side, because --

personally and collectively as a side. It can be a fantastic day for

Wales, not only me. Paul Hayward made the point, it was apparent for

me at the Wales camp r --, a really positive atmosphere, he made the

comparison to the RFU, which is in turmoil. It seems to have carried

on through the World Cup. They got more positive as that went on. It's

great because you need that going into this one-off game. As the TV

showed, emotions will be high. Everyone's going to want to win

because it's Australia. But also to do it for Shayne as well. Because

he's a ledge end. A lot of these play -- playing now will have grown

up watching Shayne. I hope they can give him a good send off. Now we

speak to Phil with Blues's coach. (inaudible)... 13 points to nine at

half time, we think we were in the game. Then second half we just give

them too many easy opportunities. We missed a lot of tackles. We

didn't take our opportunities and lost our shape completely, to be

honest with you. Boys in the studio making the point how difficult it

is to come over with half a side. What are your feelings on it all?

It's frustrating, isn't it. We're paid to did a job from day to day

with the rugby players. You've got Heineken Cup next week. We're going

from aspect of working together with certain players. We realistic

to the fact that other players have to come in, but I think the boys in

the studio are 100% correct. It had a massive bearing on it. That's

life. We have to get on with things like that. Going back to the

Australia game. How do you see this one going tomorrow? There's a daink

ter might turn into an exhibition - - danger it might turn into an

exhibition match. I don't think so. To beat Australia it's a great

scalp to have. You have the mentality where they want to win.

They've set standards now, the Welsh side. Their performance in

the World Cup were fantastic and their defence and the set piece was

soiled, maybe more solid than we've seen in previous seasons. Then you

have Jamie, George North Down the middle and you recycle it, right.

Expectations are high. Everyone saying oh, yeah, Wales for the Six

Nations and all this. So, they have to recapture that form of the World

Cup. If they do that, they have a great chance of winning. I think

they will win. If they drop below it, then Australia are a side on

the up as well. These two sides are maybe, with New Zealand, are the

most improved and the most exciting sides to watch, OK. So tomorrow,

could be a fan of theic game, but Wales have to try to recapture the

World Cup formment Tom, briefly, is Shayne going to get a winning send-

off? I think he should. I think he will. Two attacking sides. I think

Wales' defence is better and hopefully that will tell tomorrow.

But there's two teams that want to play some rugby. We have to go.

Thanks for your company tonight on a night Leinster have gone to the

top of the league. Good luck tomorrow to Wales and to Shayne.

Thanks for watching tonight. Have a ARCHIVE: Drama that began when a

mysterious stranger came in to play a decisive role in the lives of