16/02/2014 Scrum V Sunday

This Friday, all eyes will be on the Millennium Stadium from when

unbeaten France come to town. Should Warren Gatland stick or twist? Keep

the faith, or ring the changes? The Pro12 is back. They are going for

the corner, could he sliding? Creating the gap, Jonathan Spratt

for the line. A confident try, and they will get the try as well. The

chief is not happy. There are leaders within the room, whether

they are natural leaders or not, I don't know. And we travel to

Clermont to meet the man they call the cheetah.

Good evening and welcome to Scrum V. Just five days to go now until the

game that could define Wales' season. There is plenty to talk

about. Jonathan Rob and Kingsley are here to answer tough questions. We

start with the Pro12 and the Blues versus Glasgow.

Glasgow arrived in Cardiff with remarkable away record of Blade six,

won six in Pro12 this season. But the Blues would have fancied their

chances having done the double over them in Europe and they let Sam

Warburton and Gethin Jenkins back in the starting line.

There is a penalty coming the Blues' way. This time they will go

for the posts. Quick hands could have worked spent.

Still on. He is trying to fend off defenders.

He picks up the pieces! Robbie Copeland, not the way the Blues had

meant it but they will take it all the same. The first try of the

evening goes to Robin Copeland. Lee Jones makes another tackle. He

gets over and after holding out initially, the Blues give away the

softest of tries. Straight through the gap, Robin

Copeland! He did all the hard work. What a

great break by Robin Copeland, messed up at the end of it but the

Blues are still hunting for the try. It was there on a plate. Did all the

hard work. He keeps it alive, can he control

it? He needs support. Cook lives. -- Cook lives.

He claims the try. The referee can't see. It will go to the TMO. What

happened here? How did the ball go loose? Is that forward, or back?

That is a borderline one. The try is going to be given. The ball did not

go forward. Glasgow cannot believe it. Robin Copeland, as the Blues

looked to get out of their own half, where they have spent most of this

second period. With a standing start, she was going to be in

trouble with that click. He needs to drop back further or use his left

foot. Offside, advantage being played with Glasgow still in

possession on the Blues' 22. Josh Strauss arrives, giving them more

impetus. It is a kick to nothing, the penalty is being played. The

advantage was not over and they will come back. Finn Russell steps up.

He's just brought down by Dan Fish. Not helped, back up again and the

alarm bells are ringing in the Blues' defence as Johnny Gray and

Josh Strauss joined forces to continue. Five metres short of the

Blues' try-line. Cusiter is calling for forwards to

come round. The referee has a close look, but no, it is held up and the

tie has not come and buy the skin of their teeth the Blues survive. A

great scrum. The referee is going to give a penalty anyway. Picked up by

Mark Bennett. Solid defence. Bennett twists and turns and makes it

available to Cusiter. James Eddie ploughs over. That new Glasgow front

row has made its mark. There is the ball against the heads.

Strauss almost makes it to the try-line and there is a penalty

coming. That will do for Glasgow. They will get the try as well! They

don't need to bother with the kick because Mark Bennett has got the try

that, surely, is the killer blow. It is frustration from our point of

view. We are still, we have young guys there and it doesn't deliver at

times. I am very frustrated. It doesn't make any sense. We can't

depend on the Welsh players to kind of steerage through games.

There are leaders within the room, whether they are natural leaders or

not, I don't know, but we need people to stand up and be counted

and tonight was not acceptable. We played well enough in the first half

and talked about what we were trying to achieve in the second half and we

did not carry it out. It is not acceptable as far as we are

concerned. Especially for the supporters and the jersey in

general. The result like that is about integrity and it becomes

personal. We can't keep doing this. Frustrated Phil Davies, an angry

Dale McIntosh there. Furious at the supposedly of leadership on the

pitch. Was his anger justified? I just think they are frustrated, it

is a game they should have won. They got into a position where they were

quite comfortable and they were falling off tackles, which allowed

Glasgow back in the game and then it is game management as well, putting

yourself in a position of May be kicking in the last couple of

minutes and throwing the game away. It is very frustrating. You come to

Glasgow, they come to Arms Park and they should have been beaten and I

think that is even more frustrating. It is a game that the

Blues should have won and it must be desperately frustrating for them.

The scrum in the last minute against the head, the penalty, is just

falling off target and I am sure it is something you can't coach, you

can't coach game management and those are the two things, the

leadership thing, yes, whereas getting Andrew Robertson, the Welsh

captains, but they are under instructions to come off at certain

times as well -- Gethin and Sam Warburton. It might have made a

difference had they stayed on to, do you think? I think it would have.

They were under orders to get them off after 45 minutes, but you are

talking about two guys who don't just lead at regional level but

international level and those guys in the team probably would have made

the difference. Nevertheless, it is not going to happen. There is going

to be times in the season where players will come back from

international duty and others have to perform. At the moment they are

not performing. It is a game they should have won. I have never seen

Phil and Dale McIntosh as frustrated anger angered as they were, to lose

a game that was there for the wedding. sometimes the lack of

resources, I do think a lot of players playing out of their comfort

zone and I don't think they already for that level yet and that is

always a concern, you get injuries and internationals and players

stepping up into the region of the game, who are not ready for that

step up yet, so it makes it tough for them because you can't blame

those players because maybe they should not be there because they are

not good enough. The foreign players for Glasgow made a big difference in

the game, that is the difference. Strauss that ate was fantastic, the

Fijian lads were excellent and they make good changes at halfback with

quality coming on and the difference in the end, the defeat was down to

the fact that Glasgow brought on some good players and the Blues had

to take a couple of good ones fund it swam towards Glasgow.

We mentioned Gethin Jenkins and Sam Warburton playing for the Blues and

there were some Welsh squad players returning in the Ospreys, six in

total, playing for international duty. They took on Treviso a little

earlier today. Treviso turned up at the Liberty for

what might be one of their last ever visits to Wales. If they go through

with plans to quit the Pro12. The Wales hopefuls Dan Biggar and Rhys

Webb were both starting for the home side.

Rhys Webb creating the gap, Jonathan Spratt for the line and he

stretches. They have numbers in defence rather

than on his side. Well defended by Treviso. Rhys Webb, clean through

and Treviso's defence cracks again. And they free up sprat mango? --

Spratt? Chances on for the Ospreys. A

beautiful pass. Can their forwards manufacture their

first school of the game? -- first score of the game. Try as given.

Away from Morgan. It is Carnival time for the Ospreys.

Matthew Morgan leads the way. He has Sam Davis inside him. Can Sam Davis

go all the way? A brilliant try for the Ospreys. Morgan and Davis

combining. Baker did not need any help. Dan

Baker, charging over for the Ospreys.

This is almost too easy now for the Ospreys. A great ball. A beautiful

pass by Spratt. Dirksen charges in for his first touch.

Treviso back up to 15 men. It is good carrying by Dirksen. Matthew

Morgan creates the gap from nowhere, the off-loading side. Ryan Jones

with the dive. Is there one more to come, maybe, or are we being too

greedy? Sam Davis in, he plunges in for his

second try. Treviso were in a difficult spot at the moment,

perhaps the wrong time for them to play us on a Sunday afternoon, a

weakened team and when you consider the political situation, the

coaching turnover there, that is uncomfortable for us in some ways

that it is a fine win. There were some great skills there, some lovely

tries. But it was a hollow victory. You can only beat who is in front of

you. I thought there were a lot of skills on show. It was a good run

out for the Ospreys boys. Six Welsh players back with the Ospreys this

weekend. It was difficult to judge because it was such a one-sided

game, but did anyone there put up their selection -- hand up for

selection on Friday? Rhys Webb looked particularly sharp. He's very

good around the fringes. He's a quality rugby player when the is

open. He showed a little bit more than just his running game, his

kicking game was good. He was on for 45 minutes and then he came off.

Darting and finding space is what he's good at. He had a good game.

But you have to take into account what was in front of him. They were

a poor side, 14 internationals missing, they were borrowing players

from local clubs in the Treviso area. You know what I'm going to ask

you next? Libor I'm going to say no. I think they will stick with

Mike Phillips. Halfback wise, they will stick with Mike Phillips, a

big-game player. I don't think Rhys Webb, in terms of his man management

of games, and today was an opportunity for him to show that, is

ready for it just yet. What do you read into the selection of Rhys Webb

and Biggar? Is Gatlin is looking at them as a partnership or is his mind

already made up? Absolutely not looking at them for Friday night. If

there's an opportunity for them to be involved, of course. But you

wouldn't want to be picking your players with a five-day turnaround.

He will go with the same pairing, I'm sure. On Mike Phillips, a lot of

pundits suggesting he might be dropped this week. We don't know

what is in the head of Warren Gatland, but let's talk about the

psychology of that. If papers and pundits are calling for the axe to

swing in your direction, when you are a player like Mike Phillips, who

I guess has a streak of arrogance, do you let your insecurities take

over or are you doubly determined to prove your critics wrong? I don't

think Mike has got many insecurities. Not knowing him that

well, but knowing him in the way he has performed, that would really

pick his game up. He's had an uncertain season, changing clubs and

everything. When you ask questions about the halfbacks, yes, it was a

scrappy game against Italy, but against Ireland, the front five had

a bad day at the office. That reflects on the performances of the

halfbacks. It would be unfair to drop the halfbacks on the back of a

brewer packed performance. It will be interesting to see if they do

want to change a little bit and sharpen it up, maybe Rhys Webb

offers a bit more pace than Mike does. Again, with Dan, playing as a

partnership, he maybe brings a little bit more control and

confidence than Rhys Priestland. Then again, if the front five really

pick their game up and go well, Mike on the front foot and Rhys on the

front foot, maybe that would be a better option. The five-day

turnaround, I think they are professional rugby players, Treviso

wasn't a massive hit... And they came off after 45 minutes. If you've

got those players in camp for five weeks and they don't play a game and

all of a sudden they have to go on... For them to have some game

time today as opposed to sitting on the bench. Some haven't played since

Australia. I think you've got to play. I prefer to play before I

played for my country, but things have changed. We don't want to get

ahead of ourselves. Let's remind us of Wales' campaign so far.

It's Wales versus Italy. A lovely kick. Nicely placed. Missed! It's a

gift! Wide. George North building up a head of steam for himself to chase

this. The pass is loose. Good play. Roberts is through this time, he's

got support outside. Williams will score for Wales. It's going to be a

trifle Campagnaro. -- try for company no. Interception. It's going

to be a run for the line. It is going to give Italy hope. They won't

be happy with their performance. Far too many mistakes.

Ireland versus Wales. They call it the grudge match. It's like the war

zone at the moment. Four penalties conceded by Wales. It has been poor.

It has gone wrong. Toner didn't even have to jump. A horrible line-out.

Sexton. That was such a good ball. Putting that into space on a

sixpence. Down to Chris Henry. Here comes the try. They are over the

line, they claim the try. Ireland, what a try, what a finish this would

be. Marie looks up a twist infield... It must be, it is! He

scores. The game is done. Ireland's date. You Low tactically, Ireland

got it right and Wales made too many mistakes and didn't really have a

plan E to go to. That was probably one of the worst performances we've

had since I've been involved. Let's talk tactics now. Wales

stuttered so far. Generally felt that Joe Schmidt outfoxed Warren

Gatland in Dublin. Wales are being lambasted for not having another

plan. What has been your perspective on this? There's a lot been said

about the kicking game. I thought that Wales' kicking game wasn't as

accurate as the Irish. Priestland is under pressure. It's a good kick but

Ireland already for it. A great take. Ireland get the ball back,

penalty from that return. Here we see another one. The kick is a bit

shallow this time from Halfpenny. Knock on, scrum down to Ireland.

This time it is Priestland putting a little kick behind, covered by Conor

Marie. George North goes off his feet, penalty to Ireland. Here we

see pressure. Ireland relieving, exit. Ball back to Ireland. The kick

on the money, big challenge, Halfpenny does really well.

Priestland, he works back to cover but his options are limited. He

takes the ball into touch. From that line-up, Ireland got the try. It was

a theme throughout the game. Halfpenny on his own, perfect kick

from Ireland, getting the ball back. Wales kicked the ball on field

five times. Four of them, Ireland got the ball back. You've got to

work as a team. You don't have to block someone but you can be a lazy

runner and stand in the way, so make people go on the outside of you. The

pressure game was far better by Ireland. Usually Wales' kicking game

has been good. You know Philippe Saint-Andre well. France are the

next opponents. What can we expect? He's had a lot of success in the

Premier ship with a big kicking game. I know he will bring that

here. The way Wales defend, they leave their full-back with a lot to

do. You can see Leigh Halfpenny is having to deal with high kicks. Look

at this field here. This has come from a scrum for Ireland. Leigh

Halfpenny, centre of the field. I'd much prefer that blindside wing to

be infield, giving Halfpenny the licence to come across. Mike

Phillips, his sweep and cover any dink over the top. Halfpenny is

covering that and all of that space. Because his starting position was 50

metres to the centre of the post, he didn't deal with that. Here, Wales

are positive. Particularly against France there will be these

opportunities. But Wales, missed pass. Ireland, two defenders and

withdrew them a missed pass. Easy for the Irish defence to drift out.

Halfpenny has an opportunity, just three Irish defenders. He should be

taking it to the line and creating a space out wide. Priestland, what he

is really renowned for, he doesn't do it either. The Irish defence were

able to deal with it. If Wales improve on that and attack the

defensive line, against France, the way they will kick, short and

contestable, be positive and those opportunities will come for Wales

against France. The French stand-off, I don't think he is up

there at that level yet. Sexton had a great game. It's easy, if you see

the space before you get the ball, you know what you are going to do.

Full-back can't cover that amount of ground. The back three should be on

a piece of string. The full-back is there and he's there. If he comes

back, he moves across and the other wing goes up. There is a full-back,

a full-back, a full-back. You've got to communicate. Everybody's job is

easier. It's tougher for the stand-off to find a space to kick.

Then the kicking game isn't such a huge factor in the game. Maybe

Ireland then have got to carry the ball more and Wales have an

opportunity to turn the ball over. They've got to think about it as a

team effort on the back three. It's a lot of work for the full-back.

What I'd like to see happen against France, Toby Faletau is probably the

best full-back, he needs to be used. I'd like to see him dropping back.

It was clear that Ireland had a big kicking strategy. We are talking

about changing game plans on the field. That is something you can do.

Let's drop the wing is deeper and the full-back back. If Wales are

bold enough to do that, they want a lot of people in the defensive

line, they are happy to have Mike Phillips in that line and force

people to kick, but there are opportunities to drop back. Mike

Phillips is used in the defensive line because he is big and abrasive.

But there's always that gap. With Leigh Halfpenny, he's not just

covering the width of the field, he is also covering over the top. His

first movement was forward and then he's got to go back. It's a huge

area to cover. Saint-Andre, or any good coach, would look at Wales and

analyse the way they perform and where their spaces. They've got

enough football in their side to be able to make that counter and

exploit those areas. Talking about the centres now. The big question is

whether Jonathan Davies is fit. We heard Joe Schmidt criticise Wales

last week for picking players who aren't perhaps at full fitness. Can

you see him being thrown straight back in? Because the injury with

Scott Williams, we've got Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts and Scott

Williams as our first choice centres. One is away, he's been left

in camp. If he is fit, I think he will be picked. It's different

upfront. Warburton, very abrasive with a breakdown, the front five who

haven't played for a while. They need their match practice. I think

Jonathan Davies will come straight in if he's fit. If he's not, I think

he will go for George North. I think he will use the power game in

midfield. Don't think faster road is going to be available. -- faster

road. He will stick to his game plan. Use power up the middle. It's

not as abrasive a position, but surely if you are off the pace if

you've not played... I think it's very difficult. Times have changed.

You are in camp a lot longer, so maybe they can assess their fitness

better. Again, if he's not fit, I think he will put George North in.

But then you are playing Liam Williams on the wing, who hasn't

played on the wing for his region. It's a risk worth taking there.

Talking about other players who have come straight back in, there are

other options. Tipuric, James, they are options. I would certainly go

with Jon Davies if he is fit. If he can play 40, great, 50, great, just

monitor the situation. I don't think we've got many options anyway. We

find out on Wednesday, that is when it is announced. Let's go back to

the protocol is now and Friday night's game in Dublin. -- Proto.

History was weighing heavily on the Dragons as they travelled to face

the team they'd never beaten away from home. Leinster were missing

eight of their Irish test stars but were still able to field a side

containing 11 internationals. Leinster putting together these

short passes, despite the conditions. The penalty count is

already stacking up against the Dragons.

He might fancy the drop goal. 30 metres out... Has he found the

target? He has. The Dragons are back on terms. It could be a drop goal to

nothing. They will come back anyway for the

penalty. He has been penalised three times in

the scrum and gets done in the loose.

McGrath fancies the charge himself and it was Route one that paid off

for Leinster in the end. Harris is putting pressure on

McFadden. Leinster getting three or four blue

shirts back. A good chain -- charge from Will Harris, but he could have

done with a couple of mates alongside him to force the penalty.

The Dragons have the turnover. Can he sliding? The trifle Ashley Smith

in the corner. -- the try, for Ashley Smith in the corner.

The Dragons have nicked another one. Is there something on?

Richie Rees, where has that one come from? Leinster caught absolutely

cold. The Dragons with two tries in two minutes.

He might fancy a pop at goal from here.

Straight and true and the Dragons' leaders extended to 16-10. -- their

lead is extended. Another penalty coming Leinster's way. I yellow

card, I think. This is a really testing time for

the Dragons pack as they crumble. A penalty try and a chance for

Leinster to retake the lead. Will it be a second penalty try?

Yes, it will. Offside, a penalty in front of the

posts. A bonus point range, with 11 minutes

left. The Dragons have possession, as the

Leinster line-out goes wrong. The referee's whistle has gone.

The RDS crowd baying for a card. It is dangerous play, a red card.

Where is this going to end? It is going to end in a try for the

Leinster replacement. Heartache for the Dragons.

As things stand, the Ospreys are the only Welsh region in the top four.

Glasgow in force. If there is a European Cup next year with

meritocratic qualification, as things stand the Blues and the

Dragons would miss out. You watched that back, shaking your head in

disbelief at times. It must have been anger in the dressing room, I

imagine? A lot of people putting a lot of effort and a couple of make

silly errors and it cost us but people have come to me and said,

hard lines, do you know what? I am fed up of been hard lines, Dragons,

it is time to start winning games. We need to recruit a bit, strengthen

the squad but a lot of people good attitude right until the death but

we did not get the win. There has been a lot written about the

Dragons' ambition this season so far. We know some are on their way

back next season, a lot of speculation about Gavin Henson and

Matthew Morgan joining them. That is potentially a formidable looking

backline? yes, it is, and they have recruited upfront. You have

Stankovich coming from Leicester, who is a formidable front row

forward, with experience and quality and Matthew Morgan, if he is playing

regular rugby somewhere I think he would be pushing for international

honours. He is a fantastic player. Is he big enough, I think people

have not given him an opportunity. He has played odd game. He's

fantastic, you have to take into account the opposition but he needs

regular rugby. If he plays four or five games there will be an

improvement. That is key, for Gavin Henson or Matthew, as long as they

play it is what is best for them and those two need to play games. The

only man who can tell us if they are coming or not... I have got his

mobile number. No, the truth is we have a lot of players in contract

for two years, tied in, so it is nice to talk to these players and I

am sure if they are Welsh qualified players of that quality and the

Dragons are showing ambition, we will go for those players but we

have a lot of players in contract and it is not as simple as, we will

take him. Things have to move before you can do those things.

Tight-lipped, thank you. Agger rogue peace deal seems to be edging closer

with agreements on qualification and governance report suggesting they

may be governed from Switzerland -- a currency peace deal. Broadcasters

will be meeting next week to discuss. It is beginning to look

like the Anglo-Welsh is out of the window. Good news, or bad news? It

has always been about broadband and Sky and BT, we all knew from the

strikes from the start. They will strike a deal and we will have a

competition. If it is a European competition, great, that is the best

thing for the Welsh regions. Anglo-Welsh looks fantastic, but I

never thought that was going to happen. But for me I think it is all

about the Pro12. The Pro12 has got to be far more competitive. There

are quality sides in that league and yet the Irish and the Scottish, the

strength and depth they have, they can chop and change and rest players

because they will end up in the top six. I think qualification, make it

competitive and hopefully the players will stay. Back to the

action. It was the last 16 of the SWALEC Cup today, two games

unfortunately fell victim to the weather but six did go ahead and our

cameras were at the Arms Park for Cardiff versus Newbridge.

More forward driving. He is over, he gets the try.

Newbridge having a go with what little possession they are getting.

Pat James, almost up to the 22. Mazy run for Pat James. A quick ball for

Newbridge would be handy. He is looking for Johnny Morris on

the right-hand side, but good cover by Cardiff.

Jonathan Edwards, the captain, exhorting his troops. They have the

momentum. It is a second for some. The bobbin over the last couple of

weeks we have been disappointed and Newbridge pride themselves on the

pack, so we knew we had to put-in a performance and it is pleasing to

come away with a victory. STUDIO:

Cross Keys wondered when derby handsomely. Carmarthen Quins...

Back to the six Nations and our next opponents, France, and history tells

us they cash in have to rely on store. They are two from two so far

and have a significant weapon in their backline.

What a start to the six Nations! They finish!

Happy days are here again with a young man known as the cheetah

putting a smile on French faces. Two tries in two minutes. France,

devastating. Fofana is the latest talent to

emerge that includes French coach Saint-Andre. His development has not

been completely conventional. They have had a joke, they put some

pictures up of men when he was a different shape and has worked hard

with his condition and diet, you can see how he has improved and you can

see that hard work does pay off. He will be a superstar, he already is

but there is no limits to what he can do. We talked about Fofana's

star quality, here it is. Our first-team fixture with 23 caps, he

made his debut in 2012, scoring four tries in his first four tests.

Fofana, his first day of International Rugby Board he scores.

What a second-half the centre has had.

Fofana. Fofana comes away with it, three caps, three tries.

Last year's Six Nations may have been a step too far for Saint-Andre

but despite the Wooden Spoon, selecting Fofana at centre did give

him something to smile about. Fofana, beautiful sliding scale.

Fofana! Broke a beautiful try. -- Fofana, a beautiful try.

With Rougerie, it gives him confidence. He has been awesome to

see. He likes to learn a lot. You can see in training, after training

he will do extra and he likes that partnership and he will miss it next

year. The pot of gold at the end of Clermont's rainbow, next year sees

Donovan raged -- Jonathan Davies joining Fofana. But first, the Fox

and the cheetah may read up Cardiff. -- may beat up in Cardiff.

It is a battle of the big boys in midfield. Robert and Bastareaud

included, where it could all be won and lost in a rear clash of the

Titans. It will be a cracking game. France

have confidence with two wins, but Wales will be bouncing for that one

in Cardiff on Friday night. I think Wales can win the game.

Intriguing to find out he was a once a chubby upstart who didn't pick up

a rugby ball until he was a teenager. He's done all right since,

hasn't he? Class player. With France, I don't really see what they

are trying to do. With Italy, I can... I can't see where they are

really going to worry Wales. But if it gets loose, he is the danger

man. No loose play whatsoever. I think it will be fascinating in the

midfield. I think Wales will win. He didn't play this weekend. There was

an agreement before the Six Nations between the French Federation and

the clubs that Saint-Andre could select 12 players to rest in the

rest weekends between games. That hasn't happened this weekend. I

spoke to him last week and he was a happy man. He's not so happy today.

Bastareaud is definitely out? Wii 90% that he has gone. He has Fritz

injured, De Vida insured. It looks like it could be fickle playing now.

It gives them a different dimension. With loose, broken play, it's

incredible. That's an issue for Wales, possibly. This Welsh group at

the moment, they are not used to losing. They've had a really nice

period of international rugby. They've been really successful since

2010. It's interesting to see how this group will respond to a bit of

criticism. I think they will respond positively. They like winning and

they will go out and win. Wales or France next Friday? I'm going for

Wales. Good man. Thanks for watching at home. That's it from us on Scrum

V. If Wales have any hope of defending their Six Nations crown on

Friday, it really is win or bust. We will see you in a few days time.