Blues v Edinburgh Scrum V Live

It is a glorious late-summer evening here in Cardiff. Get an run

are the first opponents for the Blues this season. They have come

up with the pretty novel way of promoting the match tonight.

Cardiff Arms Park, back in action with the Cardiff Blues versus

Edinburgh. After three seasons at the Cardiff City Stadium, the Blues

are back at the Cardiff Arms Park, their spiritual home. Good evening

and welcome to the programme. It is a great evening. This case is

synonymous with the man next to me, Martyn Williams. Good to be back?

It has been a long time coming. You couldn't wish for a better night.

The pictures in great condition. It is a great crowd. This city stadium

had more modern facilities, but to the players is a more important to

have the soul of this place? yes, the crowds we would get,

because the stadium was so big, it felt that it's all this. It is

better here. We are seeing the return of some of the big guns, Sam

Warburton, Bradley Davies. What impact will they make? I think will

need to make a big impact. The young side had a great win against

Connaught last week. It will give the senior players are real

incentive. They will add to the site tonight. Let's cross to the

analysis truck. The Blues will be looking to play a very high-tempo

game. It is reflected in their choice of to open sides tonight.

Sam Warburton is one of the best. It is a big year for him. He is

brilliant at the loose ball. He has inspirational moments in the game.

He is joined by Josh Navidi. At physical, strong boy. He often

makes yards. He has to insure the likes like Roddy Grant and David

Denton can get to slow the game down. Edinburgh are dangerous. 10

of this or, if you don't know much about him, then look out. -- 10 of

this year. He scores tries. He is a huge man. Look out for him tonight.

If the Blues can get a good set- piece from Etna, they will enjoy

the party at the Arms Park. There is a Tim Visser.. He has already

got a hat-trick under his belt this season! Richie Rees making his

return to Cardiff. One of the reasons he left was that Lloyd

Williams displaced them in the side. He is on the bench tonight! Richie

Rees will be chomping at the bits to get going tonight.

Let's cross to our commentary team, Jonathan Davies and first, Mr

evening here for the return to the Arms Park. The crowd Orange during

the evening sunshine as great play golf leads the visitors out onto

the field. -- are enjoying the evening. An international front row

for Edinburgh. The back row is very talented. David Denton is a great

ball character. Roddy Grant will be a nuisance at the breakdown. Greig

Tonks and Tim Visser. Richie Rees coming back to the Arms Park.

Richie Rees will have a point to prove this evening against his old

club. Get under it, who have got a dreadful away record in the league.

They made such progress in the Heineken Cup last year. That belied

their lowly league position. don't start me off with that! They

have got to take his lead seriously, Edinburgh. They have come to spoil

the party. There is a party atmosphere here. I think it will be

very noisy when the Cardiff Blues enter the arena. Edinburgh will

know exactly what it means to the home crowd any second, if they

didn't already. Andries Pretorius leads off the Cardiff Blues. First

starting for fourteen macro. But the Davis back from international

duties. Sam Warburton and Josh Navidi, to open sides. A couple of

big guns returning behind with Leigh Halfpenny at fullback. Alex

crowd because there will be a minute's silence in memory of Dr

Jack Matthews, a former Cardiff Blues stalwart who passed away in

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that was how Dr Jack was known. was a true gentleman. She was my

doctor! You would tell him that you were quite ill, and he would just

laugh at you! What a true gentleman, Jack. David Watkinson of Ireland's

is the man in charge this evening. The Cardiff Blues kicked off with

the wing against Irish opposition. Edinburgh just missed out at home

to Munster. A disappointing start for Attenborough. They want to

start their Campion with an away South African-born, English-

Denton with ball in hand this evening. I think she might have

he had to move away from Cardiff after coming back from London Irish.

James Down got his head in the wrong position there. He had a big

game last week. Just watch. He goes in, gets his head in the wrong

position. Thankfully, he is OK. Tim Visser is standing outside the

for the challenge defensively if Not a great start for the pack for

the Cardiff Blues. Greig Laidlaw will go for the posts. Greig

Laidlaw can play either No. 9 or Number Ten. We have seen his great

running ability. He will be the target for the Cardiff Blues. They

will try to run down his channel. She is a scrum-half, changing to

outside-half. He doesn't waste any time. That is a great start. He'd

just places the ball down, two or three steps, chip sit through an

Edinburgh get the first points. Good start for Edinburgh. Broker

tackle, got momentum, field position, the scrum. It will be

interesting to see if fourteen macro scores. The scrum is so

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which ball. The Edinburgh plays at drift defence, so they have got to

come against the grain, inside possession, albeit slow possession

strung together more than 10 phases, but in the end they had to come

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delivery just a fraction forward. He just over ram the player. --

overran. He had an impressive Six something more from this scrum, may

is the big question? Well, it was a great build up by Edinburgh. They

got over the try-line, but did they get the ball to ground? Is it a try,

James with him. Has the Blues winger done enough to prevent the

clear grounding? That is very difficult to give. He has held it

up. The question to answer is quite simply, a try, yes or no? I says

simply but the decision may not be that simple. Tom James may have

done just enough to plant enough is over the try-line. You cannot

give that, can you? I don't think you can give it. And the fact that

Edinburgh are still there, rather than back on half way, says that

even they are not convinced. Inconclusive. The Blues can thank

Tom James that the first try has not been conceded. But it is not

over yet by a long chalk. It was a lovely ball by Nick De Luca. In

aspect for Phil Davies and the Blues management. Because at the

moment, the Cardiff Blues scrum is having a torrid time. Taufa'ao

Filise was in last week. Benoit down. They were going know where

there. There is a lot of experience in the Edinburgh front row. 64 caps

for Jacobsen, 61 for Ford, who was also a Lion in 2009, and 14 caps

go for another scrum. I think I spotted Andy Robinson in the crowd

earlier. He lives in Bath, so it is closer for him to come here.

Imagine him paying his �6 to get the scrum. But that was a good

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opening quarter of an hour for held out. I think they targeted

Alex Cuthbert, because he is defending narrowly. There's an

injury at the moment. Jonathan, you have seen something. Yes, the ball

came out. There is the dummy Roddam, and he has taken Tom, from the

winger, which creates the space outside. Great set move. That

should be a very good finish for an international winger. Great defence

by Leigh Halfpenny, but you would have thought, given the space, one-

on-one, the fullback standing there, inside or outside. It was a great

tackle by Leigh Halfpenny, but a very worrying for the Blues. A

couple of dummy runs down the middle and Tom James was sucked in.

They are targeting the wingers because Alex Cuthbert is coming in

as well and they think there is space. If he hits the flat pass on

the outside, there are chances He has been working on putting

distance on his kicks. The Blues will be very happy to get away from

there. Here is somebody who played alongside Jack Matthews. How good

was he, and what type of player? Well, he was unbelievably

competitive. He was a fantastic player in the sense that whenever

he got the ball, there was excitement. I had the good fortune

to play with him in the early 1950s. And I was delighted that I was able

to play at that time. Which modern player would you equate him too?

Well, I would say Jamie Roberts. Jamie is a different stature, much

bigger. He is an up-to-date player. But having said that, Jack was

fantastic. A fantastic, great memories of the great Dr Jack

Matthews. Back to you. Excitement well that was going on, because of

errors, more than anything. Congratulations to feel Steel, who

has got engaged this week. -- Phillips deal. It gives every

leave himself going now that he has got engaged. He has been tucking

was a brief spell early in the game, but they have created a couple of

opportunities. The Blues will be thinking, well, it is only one

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penalty awarded. The scrum is If he takes it, he is on the hoof

straight away and they are back in the Cardiff Blues half. Tonks

certainly looks like a counter was free, had the quick pass gone

out. If they keep their depth, the pass is definitely on. Both wingers

are using the width of the field. It was a great tackle by Tom, but

far, the attacking opportunities they have had, both defences have

been very well organised. I am sure Martin will be enjoying the battle.

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kick the ball like Robin van will all be for nothing. It was a

battle for nothing, over there. REFEREE: The numbers 1 and 2 just

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down to stand of Channel. -- down a for Gavin Evans, but Richie Rees

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fair reward for the blues as they isolates this guy here, the hooker.

And there is the gap. They try to all David Denton out of the way.

They are trying to spot David Denton from getting to that

position. They put a dummy runner down first, put in a block, then

put the second centre down that Channel, trying to isolate Greig

Back on level terms. He just practices and practices. They have

weathered the storm, how much of his Xavier Rush boss might

influence was in that? They have the scramble when there is some

urgency. At this ground, there is the Martyn Williams bar. How does

that feel? Claiming quite it is steamed company. They still charge

Halfpenny. I think it has got to go upstairs. Was his foot in touch?

Brilliant work by Sean Cox, used David Denton outside him. Despite

the best efforts of Leigh Halfpenny, it looks as though Tim Visser has

a deadly finisher, Tim Visser. The approach work from Sean Cox was

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fine. I think he's a try. He is a hat-trick to start the season last

week. He gets the first try of the could possibly get. Pulled by Greig

Laidlaw. Watch the try. David Denton comes inside, holds up that

player and a gap opens up and he is through. It was a great offload as

well by Sean Cox. Great work. Such Cardiff Blues in the first have. --

Halfpenny to do, he was too far REFEREE: That is three penalties

against you. Your head goes down. Keep your head off. Keep your bike

up and your head and shoulders above your hips. Thank you. There

is no doubting at all how David Wilkinson is seeing it. As soon as

the pressure comes on, he says thirteen macro goes to ground. It

is something he will not allowed to -- he has. Greig Laidlaw has pulled

it again. That is it that cake. will be disappointed with himself

for that kick. The Cardiff Blues will be mighty relieved that there

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turnover happens, this guy is a prop. They should have taken him on.

Those are the mismatches you have the return. It didn't quite come

off. Alex Scott bird is very dangerous, those angles. -- Alex

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pressure is on for the blues. If ride because of those crumbs. --

looking for the one hand it offload and he feels that he didn't lose

any control. While they argued the points, hopefully we can go to a

full up. This Edinburgh outfit looks very useful. They are very

good side. We are defending well. We have got to get more territory

and keep the ball for a number of phases. What about your scrummage?

We could be better. We are not And it is within Leigh Halfpenny

distance. Then again, anything in the opposition half and beyond is

within Leigh Halfpenny distance! bit of panic in the defence.

rolling away, is it? Offside, I Nations. The work he has gone on

his kicking is massive. -- the work the middle, superb. Leigh

Halfpenny's boot is keeping the Blues in touch, despite the

pressure they have been under. is very important that the Blues

scrummage square on Edinburgh's ball. The fact that they have

pushed them one way, taken Sam Warburton out of the game, allowing

own 22, but is there throw. -- it is their throw. This time it will

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be Edinburgh ball. There was not a block in mid- field, to create a

hole for Visser. The first man goes in and stands in the way. You could

see the whole opening up. Houston was allowed to go the first time,

but he stayed there with the Fulham tend of taking out Sweeney as the

defender. That is what you have to do, wave your hands and make sure

the officials see it. That is what he did and got the penalty, rightly

so. They are very creative, trying sides approaching it differently,

with Edinburgh going for Visser and Lee Jones out wide, bringing the

defence in, and Blues going down the channels, down the middle,

score would be good achievement for the Blues, with the possession that

Edinburgh have had. He was slightly isolated, St him. He was not on the

floor, was he? He was on his feet. I think that is a penalty for

Edinburgh. Because his knees did not touch the ground at any stage.

I think the officials got that wrong. But Blues will not complain.

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I am sure they will be happy. Am thinking, how are we behind?

precision boot of Leigh Halfpenny strikes again and puts the Blues

ahead. He does not look like missing at the moment. He is

absolutely nailing it. Well, that is what he gives to you. A try-

saving tackle and three superb strikes. After being under the cosh,

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an attacking opportunity for line-out for the Blues. -- James

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Half-time was there, but Cuthbert had to make sure, and he did that.

Half time. Nearly. Tap it M. Safely out of play by Alex Cuthbert, and

after 40 minutes, the most perplexed man at the Arms Park will

be the Edinburgh coach. Defence on both sides has been very good. One

missed tackle, because of the Decoy runner and the break by Sean Cox.

But the Blues, one in front, incredible. The deadly boot of

Leigh Halfpenny means Blues are There were flames to greet the

Blues as they returned to their spiritual home but they were doused

by Edinburgh, who took the lead. Edinburgh were attacking early on

and were just held up over the line, denied by the slimmest of margins.

But they eventually crossed, and surprise, surprise, it was Tim

Visser. But Leigh Halfpenny kept the Blues in touch and on the

stroke of half-time he pushed them Martyn Williams, the score board

perhaps not reflecting what is going on. It was a lively opening

from Edinburgh in the first 20 minutes. They are a very dangerous

side. They got to the European semi-final and people forget that.

The Blues are hanging in there, scrambling defence. But they will

be worried at half-time. They are getting easily broken. They were

defending narrowly, initially, and Edinburgh exploited that. You can

see they want a lot of width in the game. The Blues defending, up to a

blitz defence. We are standing a narrower at the moment and one pass

is beating three men. I am sure he will put that to rights and they

will be more solid in the second half. That try was straight out of

Tim is a's book. Yes, the Blues are trying to play a contestable

kicking game. A couple of phases back, Ceri Sweeney tried to put the

ball in the air and was looking to get it into an area where it could

be challenged by the Blues chasers. It was not, so Edinburgh could get

the whip in defence. It created her mismatch. -- the width. It was

great play. As I said at the top of the show, do not give him Naysmith,

because he will score. We have to be honest and say that Edinburgh

look like they have more shape and When the ball got to Tim Visser,

you knew there was only one outcome. Leigh Halfpenny did his best, but

Tim Visser, half a chance and he finishes every time. It was great

work from Denton. He could have drifted across field. He just

checked Pretorius. If you give him one on one, he will score nine out

of 10. He has some athlete. Probably the equivalent of George

north. Unfortunately, he will play for Scotland, too, which will cause

problems in the Six Nations. I am glad I am not out there trying to

stop him. He scored three tries against England, and he has some

player. The Blues lost some key forwards in the off-season and the

scrum has been creaking at times tonight. The Edinburgh front row is

packed with internationals. Yes, probably not renowned for its

powerful scrum. I do not know what goes on half the time, but they

seem to have the it took -- the ascendancy. There are some new

combinations. Benoit Bourrust, Rhys Williams, who has not been a

regular first-team player. Hopefully they will get rid of the

cobwebs from the first half and the more solid. Particularly the scrum,

if anybody has watched the Tri- Nations, New Zealand had scored so

many tries from a solid scrum. It is a worry at the moment but

hopefully they can put it right second half. Richie Rees will be

lovingly armchair ride. No doubt there will be banter going on

between the boys. Let's go back to Sean. You have noticed something

about the Blues tactics. mentioned the attacking Sheikh, and

Edinburgh looking more structured. The Blues are trying to get used to

the way they are playing, but I want to look at how Ceri Sweeney is

playing in the second half. How many times does he go into the

the Blues are in one half of the field, so they do not create

anything in the next phase. Again, you can see Ceri Sweeney going into

nine again. Cuthbert is desperate to look for work, to get in the

game. It lacks shape and cohesion. Again, as Ceri Sweeney steps up and

plays a little bit, the ball carrier gets isolated. Sweeney, who

is supporting in the right position, finds himself out of the game. They

could be vulnerable to this in the second half and lacking a bit of

As always, there is loads of sporting action on television this

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weekend in BBC Wales. There are tonight at 10:35pm. The Ospreys

welcome Ulster tomorrow. We will be rounding up everything in the

company of Jonathan Davies at 6 o'clock on Sunday, and an extended

Lyons interview. Speaking of the Lions, probably the worst-kept

secret in rugby, Warren Gatland unveiled as the Lions coach. When

it came down to it, he was the outstanding candidate. Without a

She knows all the different cultures from the different home

nations. The perfect candidate. That said that the what the

different cultures is very important. You're on picture of

what Graham Henry. Probably the beginning of the end of the 10 year

of Graham Henry in Wales. A lot of damage was done. A lot was blown

out of proportion. You won't have that issued this time. There was no

fall-out in the last Lions tour when Welsh players were picked. The

game has moved on, players have moved on. Warren Gatland will know

exactly what to do to manage the boys. They are hoping to finalise

the backroom staff. I think it will be Sean, Rob Howley. Sam Warburton

as captain. Could there be too much of a Welsh influence? I don't think

so. All the coaches knew each other in 2009 before they went out there.

You have such a short amount of time to get the players to gel, let

alone the coaches. I think it will be a very similar coaching set-up

to 2009. So, Phil is with the former Lion! Normally I have had

Gareth Edwards, but they always get it a phone call berating me for

getting Gareth on, but I have got a great alternative tonight. You have

to boys on the bench tonight! Yes, that's would be fantastic. I am

only here because Gareth Edwards What is it like being back at the

old lady? This is where it's -- this is where the Cardiff Blues

belong. They need this passion. I concede the Cardiff Blues improving

as the season unfolds. The boys in the studio were talking about the

Lions tour. Does it begin now in September? It probably started

during the summer. It is one step at the time. The players wanted

greater good impression, but they mustn't lose their focus on the

regional team. They have to just hope that they get noticed.

Certainly, it starts now. Can the Cardiff Blues wing? They need

better go forward ball, and the need better territory. Thank you.

Connacht are beating several. And the Scarlets. This is the first

time Glasgow have played in their new stadium. We will keep you up-

to-date with that game. It looks as though the teams are right and

ready to start the second half. We will return to our commentary team,

Gareth Charles and his Jonathan Arms Park, Andries Pretorius leads

out the Cardiff Blues. Again, Edinburgh have had to wait for more

than a few seconds before the home team arrives out. Both teams

starting the second half as they finished the first. It was

interesting that possession was a 50-50. But most of the game was

played in it the Cardiff Blues's 1/2. They will want to get their

ratio a little bit closer, to be honest. Every time they have gone

into the opposition half, they have come away with points, which is

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Halfpenny. One of the first names down on the team-sheet. Interesting

to see Liam Williams getting a good game for the Scarlets last week. He

played exceptionally well. We need cover. Wheels don't have great

strength in depth in that position. I suppose lean-burn is getting

closer international retirement. -- Visser. He backed themselves to get

there. He is a superb player. The to dummy runners being thrown in.

You have got to fill up those holes. Great cover by the Cardiff Blues

captain, Andreas Pretorius. You have got to smash those runners out

of the way. So you can't allow the blockers to just make an alley way

given. Edinburgh are looking very threatening. They are playing with

make a change. Their replacements the blues again. They absolutely

destroyed that scrum. They have got to concentrate. They have to very

young props on the bench, if they want to make a change. I think that

is their frontline props now. It will be a long season for the Blues

if they don't get that platform way! Can they capitalise on a

everything to a stop. Lovely break. Great run by Tom James. The scrum

was an absolute shambles. Richie Rees fell over, that is why there

was a gap. He just went a little bit too early on the Arc to get

-- under pressure there. Dig Cardiff Blues are showing that they

can create, and that was from a retreating scrum! If we hold it

there, there is the prop. He should try to stand on the inside of the

second row. They try to get on the outside of him and isolate him.

They have got to get their alignment right in the defensive

done, Dafydd Hewitt! They had men spare on the left and Edinburgh

killed it. Dafydd Hewitt, that was Williams, I have got to ask you

about the Tom James break. Was it good defence or a butchered attack?

Their defence work hard to get back. Tom had done all the hard work,

then you have got to do the simple stuff and draw the last man. Is the

blue scrum giving you a cause for concern? For any back blind, you

needs the platform to work got. Andries Pretorius wanted stable and

to get the ball away. Is it nice to be back at the Arms Park? It is

over-eager. They did not need to get the ball back. The Greig Tonks

will spend 10 minutes in the bin. Professional foul in an attacking

his own, yellow card. He had to expect that. He is such a dangerous

runner. It was a lovely ball. Good defence. He was on the ground. Well,

he says he was on his feet. He can have a look from the bench. The

scrambled defence was very good after the initial break by Tom

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James. That could put real pressure tackle and gets in underneath the

posts. At last, the Blues get the tried aka the Arms Park. That is

the advantage of having a 6 ft 6 the winger in your side. Not much

skill, just brute force. Smashed the defence out of the wave. -- out

of the way. Just watch the technique. He just bounced off the

tackle. Very, very big try. As the ball gets in, the tackle gets his

head on the wrong side. Leigh Halfpenny's conversion from

straight in front is simple and all of a sudden, with 10 minutes played

in the second half, Edinburgh, down to 14 men, and the Blues up to 16-8.

row. Willem Nel, the South African, and John Yapp has come on for

slightly wrong. The ball was still held him as he drove over.

REFEREE: Through the side, you are coming round the side. He has to go

for goal, hasn't he? It will be pretty much on the edge of his

limit. But it is another minute of Blues, and now back in the black

and red of Edinburgh. Richie Rees, them back within one try. Greig

Laidlaw needed that as well, because he has missed a couple of

sitters. He is a very good kicker and he will be disappointed with

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the ones that he has missed. But have good field position. Halfpenny

has had a bump. Lloyd Williams is the Cardiff physio. I want to say

thank-you to him. He has helped me recover with my arms to get on this

bike ride I am doing. Thank you very much, John. Phil, an update.

Yes, the Scarlets are leading 10-3 at Glasgow. Another winger in-form

there for the Scarlets. It is now 10-6. Glasgow have got a kick back.

And the crowd tonight is 7800. were hoping for 8000 to 9000.

Everybody wanted to come back here, so slightly disappointed with that

crowd. But a good atmosphere here. Scarlets are certainly scoring some

tries this season. There is a new loose-head there for the Blues,

number 18, Tom Davies. He was only Yapp is the one who is penalised.

Why have they taken two props off? Obviously, the pressure has been on

them all night. Some of the scrums have been... They have brought on a

19-year-old on the loose-head. You would have thought they would want

them to give them one more go at least. But Willem Nel has quite a

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not look the most natural kicker. He is thinking, that went a long

Navidi, and Edinburgh have a penalty when they thought for all

the world they would have had a try, and the Blues the for them should

have had a drive. That is a yellow card as well. Let's see what

happens. He is off. That was a big one minute. They could have been a

try for Blues, a try for Edinburgh. It ends up being a penalty to

Edinburgh and they go for the scrum. Tonks is back on. They are back up

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police on the tight-head. -- Tal The referee has no doubt after all,

and you cannot blame him. The pressure on the Blues scrum has

been such, and McInally was in control. It is the Edinburgh scrum

that gets its reward. That is the first time. Once they get in a

dangerous position, I always felt this was going to happen. It does

not have to go through a series of scrums. He sees the problem. They

are on the back foot, and that is a big worry for the Blues, a very

simple penalty try. And it all came from a wrong option from a break

He is not even looking outside. That is what gave them the field

position. I thought Richie Rees was going to score on his comeback.

This is the yellow card. He did not Leigh Halfpenny. He is walking off.

We did take a knock earlier. Let's debut this evening. A I have high

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Hewitt got the inside pass from idea. Just watch the past. Stay

outside, winner! Winners to come inside, I tell you what, taking off

and put them in the seconds next week. -- winners. If you run the

touchline, they are at an opportunity. A I get a feeling that

is the bugbear of yours! The last thing you want to do is be looking

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on the wing did that he was The two men on the outside! Nick De

Luca held on to it when Tim Visser was waiting for it. They paid the

price for not releasing it. Warburton was magnificent there.

They have had two opportunities to score on the left-hand side. Nick

De Luca has got to give it to Tim Visser. Alex Cuthbert got being two

incredible tackles, and Sam Warburton got the crowning tackle.

That was a great tackle. Strong same thing last week. They missed a

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again? That is down to good chasing of the cake. -- kick her. Good

The Cardiff Blues feel that they have a good deputy in Rhys Patchell,

now that Leigh Halfpenny is off the is a warning. The ball is safely

out of play. Martyn Williams, you have been in a few scrapers in your

time. You are looking for you half backs to keep it calm. Award for

the scramble defence? Alex Cuthbert, all the boys in the first up

defence hasn't been the best, but there scramble defences good.

is replaced by a Chris Leck. Andy have only a one-point match. It is

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all about where you play the game dear this isn't looking too good,

unfortunately. -- Brett Lee DUP's - - Bradley Davies. Alex Cuthbert

tonight has been outstanding. A great tackle here. When they are

really in trouble, he doesn't just make the first tackle, but makes

the second one. He creates the left of the posts. Still only one

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Patchell. They have got to be more precise with their passing. They

are putting themselves under pressure a little bit. Alex

Cuthbert has done everything right their composure. They are young

side, but this game is theirs. They have just got to keep possession,

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keep the ball in the other half, ahead. It is a very uncomfortable

place to be at the moment with more than five minutes remaining. They

have just got to kick this down the won that battle, I have to say.

is enjoying himself! That is what but Cuthbert gave him the outside,

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use the touch line and brought him Greig Laidlaw eventually got back

in the pocket and put the kick over. With just over two minutes

remaining, he could have spoilt the return party to the Arms Park.

two minutes left, they have to try pass. The game is really coming

alive at the end. Tom James has had some lovely breaks, but he did not

have to look for the pass there. Jonathan, you are going to choose a

man of the match. The stand-out player tonight for me has been Alex

Cuthbert. Everything he has done. His running has been tremendous. He

took his try well. Defensively he has been good as well. It has been

a great battle between him and Visser. The Edinburgh pack have

been superb as well, especially in the scrum. This is an opportunity.

This is where the old heads have to come in, get a good scrum, get

field position. They should have a chance to drop the goal. They have

two kickers. They have Ceri Sweeney and Patchell, who can drop the goal.

about in the scrum. They need to get it in, get it away and get

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within drop goal distance? -- Why are they so deep? They need to

be taking the ball to the game line. That is it. It has gone forwards,

it is back in Edinburgh hands. There has been a knock-on, so even

if Edinburgh do not get it off the park, it is safe. Greig Tonks puts

the ball into the crowd. It is disappointment for the Arms Park

faithful on the return to the old ground to kick-off the season. The

game was taken away from the Blues It was a game of missed

opportunities. When Tom James broke, if he had looked for the man

outside combat could have been the winning drive. But they then went

back to their own five metre area, got a penalty try. And then the

drop goal came. Missed opportunities by both sides, really,

but Edinburgh will be delighted to get the away win. The Edinburgh

coach would have been mystified at half-time and Phil Davies may be

feeling similar motions now. The game was there for the winning. The

pressure exerted in the scrum got the all-important penalty try for

Edinburgh and that proved crucial, with a drop goal from Greig Laidlaw

ceiling a rare Edinburgh away win, and disappointment for the Blues

and it was Tim Visser who went over in the first half. But anything he

could do, Alex Cuthbert could do better, crashing over in the second

to put Blues in front. Leigh Halfpenny kept things ticking over

with precision kicking, but then a penalty try from the dominant

Edinburgh scrum brought them right back into it. And it was all down

to pretty much the last player of the game. Greig Laidlaw, with two

minutes on the clock, knocking over a drop goal and breaking Blues

hearts on their return to the Arms As we said, it was a last-minute

drop goal. Phil Davies will probably be ruing what could have

been a golden opportunity to get a home win. In the second half, when

Alex went over, we looked comfortable and I thought we would

take the win. But Tom going up the wing, he took the drop goal well,

but the turning point was Leigh Halfpenny going off. There were two

kickable penalties that were missed. If Leigh Halfpenny had been on,

another six points and we would have won. He is a big player, not

only for Cardiff but for Wales, so hopefully his injury is not bad.

Tom James had a trademark length of the field burst, but maybe lacked

composure in the end. Yes, twice. It is hard to criticise him. I

thought the back three were outstanding. Tom James, Alex

Cuthbert. Alex was outstanding tonight. Tom was also strong. Every

time they got the ball they looked dangerous, but a couple of missed

opportunities could have sealed the game. It was a brave performance

but like the Ospreys last week, they will be ruing chances to win

an athlete. But if he is going to take the man on the outside, he

needs to hold it in the other hand. If he is going to isolate him, he

needs the ball into MACRO hands. Again, he isolates the last

defender, puts it into two hands. The obvious place was to finish off

for Gavin Evans. Again, a great athlete, trying a bit too hard at

the end and an unforced error cost them. It was a brave performance

The winger who stood out was Alex Cuthbert, man of the match, and

here he is. Jonathan Davies was very impressed with your defence.

How much work to be done on that? It was one of eye-witnesses at the

start of last season and I have worked hard. -- one of my

weaknesses. But I have worked hard. Hopefully, I am glad as is coming

together. We just heard Sean Holley talking about the chances that

might have gone begging on the other wing. Fair play to Tom Jones,

he made those bricks himself, did well to get out. It was a shame he

did not execute. If he had executed one we might have won the game. It

is frustrating because we wanted to make the supporters and the

unbeaten. We lost by three points, but we have to take the positives,

I guess, and were condemned. other man of the match, so keep up

the good form. Thank you. It was a battle of the Giants between

closed down the space on Alex Cuthbert, but it really was a

battle of the Giants tonight. Both men did well, wrestling each other

throughout. Visser had his say in the first half by finishing off

with a lovely try. But Cuthbert came strong, looking for work,

carrying the ball. He made his own luck. He was truly outstanding in

scrambled defence and he got his reward for strength and tenacity by

getting over as well. It was a fantastic performance. The Lions

selectors will be taking note. can have a quick look at the

Scarlets, playing in Glasgow. It is a cracking night for them,

currently 18-6 ahead. Of course, Danny Wilson said in the week that

their victory against Leinster would mean nothing if they did not

back it up this week and it looks like they are doing that at the

They look a very dangerous side. We know about their backs, but they

have made some shrewd signings. With Simon Easterby taking over, he

is very shrewd. They have had a great start. Back to today, we

spoke at half-time about the Blues scrum being under pressure. It

continued to be in the second half, despite Edinburgh changing their

props. It is a concern, especially when you look at the sides that we

have in Europe. The boys will work on it. There are a few new

combinations, people making debuts tonight. Something to work on. You

need a solid set piece, so hopefully they can improve in the

next couple of games. We discussed defensive organisation looking

suspect, but the scrambled defence was heroic at times. The Cuthbert

tackle on Visser and Sam Warburton with the turnover which looked to

have won the game. That will win games for them throughout the year,

no doubt about it. There is a new coaching system, a new structure

which will take time to get used to. The line got broken a few times but

the scramble was outstanding. On another night, we might have

pinched the win, but not tonight. What will Phil Davies say to rally

the troops? In a strange way, they would have taken five points after

the first two games, probably expecting to lose at on Oct. --

Connaught. This side will get better and better and can hopefully

get back on the horse next week. Ultimately disappointment for the

Blues tonight, with the return to the Arms Park ending in defeat.

They are home again but they have # Home again, home again

# One day, I know I will feel home again