29/09/2013 Scrum V Sunday

All four regions were on the road this weekend with mixed results.

This was the case of the good. The bad. And the ugly. We catch up with

the latest Welsh expats to cross the Channel. It's awesome. I am out of

my comfort zone. Rick O'Shea visits the invincible.

Hello, good evening and welcome to Click. -- Scrum V. There is plenty

to talk about as always there to build started the action and the

Ospreys trip to the west of Ireland. Justin Tipuric made his first start

for the Ospreys since the Lions tour. It was one of four changes by

Steve Tandy following their win over Edinburgh. Connacht had only won

twice that they beat the Ospreys in Galway last season.

An optically challenged pass and Dan Biggar has put the Ospreys in the

league. You will not get a simpler one done that. Ian Evans. That is

not a outside break by the Lions lock. Good friends football. Dan

Biggar picking it up and wrapping it around with Justin Tipuric. This is

Richard Fussell. Ospreys with the second. Great steadies grandbaby

Ospreys. A lovely delayed pass. A quick ball going left. This is Eli

Walker squeezing in. Let's have a look at what the referee says. Yes,

it is OK. He gets another. Connacht are still not out of this. Dan

Parks. Connacht have scored their first try. The handoff as well. It

is all the way. That is the bonus point for the Ospreys. Dan Parks

getting his backs moving. The quick ball would be handy here. Just

about. He gets the second half -- trifle Connacht. -- second trifle

Connacht. It is is easy as that. This is Dan

Biggar for 1000 points in the league. That is a great cake and the

young man becomes the first Welshman to 1000. They are off and running.

Good luck in stopping Alun Wyn Jones.

The Ospreys are undefeated this season. Pretty much the perfect

start for the Ospreys. Yes, a great fixture to get rid out of the way

early on in the season. A great start. The era of the black because

is over in the Ospreys but they have made good signings. Yes, we had Tito

Tebaldi looks like great sign. He shows some of the qualities with the

tries scored. Jeff Hasler will come on as well. It has been a problem

area for the Ospreys in the 12 months after Shane Williams left. He

is one that will be available for them week in week out. He has shown

his worth. On Tito Tebaldi, it doesn't seem to be an emergency any

more. Rhys Webb is coming back. It seems as if they have developed a

bit of depth. They are in a pretty good position. Tito Tebaldi has been

pretty impressive. What about Dan Biggar? He has passed a thousand

points and only the second player to do that. He's in the box seat after

last season. He has a good platform in front of him. Richard Fussell is

tipping in. He is hitting it off with Tito Tebaldi. They have learned

from last year when they didn't have a great start. They have started

well and they seem to be hitting It beats the tackle. Excellent work

by the Blues centre. And a good quick ball. A lovely off-load.

Matthew Rees. And he is handed down. A body check.

that is a mere two weeks away. And added interests are. One chance and

one try and it has gone to Sean Cronin. The Leinster forwards have

another go at it. Qian Healy makes it available to Dominic Ryan. He

can't make it either. As the ball rakes loose, Josh on DVD put it out

of play. -- Josh Navidi puts it out of play. Here comes the drive by the

Leinster eight. The referee goes straight underneath the posts, he

has given away a penalty try. Well taken. Brian O'Driscoll did so well

to re-adjust, incredible. Alex Cuthbert, what a try by Alex

Cuthbert ex-mac what a fight back by the Blues. Is that it chance for the

Blues that is a tough call. Surely, he can

go to the TML for it. No, the referee makes the call himself. It

is no lose try. Here comes the drive from the forwards. Sean Cronin. Good

body position by Leinster. They have got the try. The forwards are

keeping it tight. It is the outside half who gets the bonus point try

for Leinster. Interception. Cory Allen gets a consolation score for

the Cardiff Blues. Last week was a kick up the backside

to be honest. We were there today, mentally.

Last week was a kick up the backside to be honest. We were there There is

some stuff we need to have a look at in attack and defence. In general if

we keep improving at this rate is will be good for us. Jonathan Davies

skippered the Scarlets for the first time this season as co-captain Rob

McCusker celebrated his 100th appearance for the region. Former

Scotland captain, Ross Ford, returns for the Edinburgh reference row.

A rare visit by Edinburgh. Gilchrist, a poor pass. Did not go

forward. Gilchrist mopped it up. It is the Scarlets who have given away

the penalty. Leonid to put the home side into the league. Half an hour

gone and first points on the board. Rhodri Williams getting it away.

Phillips trying to twist and turn. Rhodri Williams to go blind side

again. Beautiful pass outside the last defence. It is Nick Reynolds

against the first try of the match. 36 minutes gone. Can Edinburgh clear

this. Driving it on. Edinburgh needs somebody to take responsibility. He

gets it as far as Rhys Priestland. Has Jordan Williams got any space?

He is turning on the gas. Going for the corner. Brilliance by Jordan

Williams, the sort of play that litter the end the 20 is. Edinburgh

scrum under pressure again. Back following note. Liam Williams. Rhys

Priestland tries the little peck. -- little kick. That should seal the

win. We stuttered through a couple of

performances but became a peer today with a game plan and it'll pretty

effective. We didn't allow Edinburgh to get into the game either which

was good and our defence was solid. Most importantly, we got the result

we need to make sure that we don't sit back and accept that was the

standard. We need to kick on. We've got Glasgow before we go to Europe.

A huge game for us and the sort of game which we need to make sure we

keep our feet on the ground. The Scarlets recovered swiftly from a

defeat against the Dragons and Rob said Edinburgh and a very good side

but you can sniff at an away win. The Scarlets haven't had a fantastic

start to the season. They would have targeted that match. Edinburgh have

been struggling in the last few years. Jordan Williams, we have

spoken about him already. We saw what a talent he was in the junior

world championships. He is a natural rugby player, he is quick, he could

play at ten, at 15. He takes a pretty good pass there. It is just

as footwork and his vision to beat people. Reminiscent of the man on my

right hand side. He is exceptionally quick off the mark. We have seen

Matthew Morgan and the quality he brings to the game. His running

ability. Jordan Williams is in the same mould. We have two players who

are still learning their trade who can be developed into fantastic

assets. Playing in an empty stadium you have to motivate yourself to get

there. I thought Rhys Priestland was man of the match. That party through

for the first try was a beautiful pass. His kicking game looked good

as well. A battle for the Wales number ten. Onto the Cardiff Blues.

Last week you said they were a bit soft. There is never a soft rugby

player but sometimes there is mental toughness. In games against zebra,

eat you have to be mentally tough. They lost ball in contact, they had

to turn over and handling errors. They knew they had to front up and

Sam Warburton said they were mentally up for it this week so

maybe not last week. Cardiff Blues are not good enough to win games 50%

on form. So I was delighted they picked up their game. If they had

played with the same intensity and aggression as against Leinster, they

would not have won that game. It is about adapting and playing to the

best of your ability every week. A couple of defensive mistakes,

structurally stepping out of the line, jumping to quickly out of the

line, if you -- a couple of referee decisions went against them, but

Leinster were a much better side. They have to maintain in seven --

intensity and toughness because they can beat almost anyone on their day.

If they are not on form, they are not a good enough side. Going to

Leinster, everybody thought, they would not win that. On the back of a

word result against Connacht, going to Leinster, they would say, they

still have good form -- a good result. They put themselves under

pressure by a lack of complacency. Lean -- Blues seemed happier with

that result. Leinster rarely lose their, their record is 80% since

they moved there, and that site was packed with Lions. -- side. There 13

international is and former pro-British Lions and they have not

delivered their best. -- international players. They have a

great number of young talented players, great experience, and it is

one of the toughest places to go. Nobody expected the Blues to win but

they performed better than they have done. There was controversy prior to

the game when there were rumours Leigh Halfpenny was travelling to

Toulon to inspect their facilities. No surprise one of the richest clubs

in the world has been courting him but it is a worry of the player

drain that is making no slowdown. We went up to -- we went to catch up

with other players who have gone to France.

Last time we caught up with Dan Lydiate, it was at his family farm

here in mid Wales. Now he has set up in Paris. The contrast could not be

greater for a man who has shunned the limelight, it is most tries we

found him in a quiet suburb seven miles from the city -- it is.

I am good! So this is the new home? Come in. A couple of home comforts,

it is nice. We have been here a couple of months and we are settling

in. Is there anything in Paris at you wish you could get? I have

cottage cheese before bed and they do not do that. Can we wander down

the High Street and check out the neighbourhood? We will have a

browse. When we got back from Australia, it was packing everything

up to move out here, a week 's holiday in Cyprus and as soon as I

got back, two days and we flew over here and we were on packing and

starting this adventure. -- on packing. I thought it would be

cheap out here because there is a massive farming culture in France

but everything is really expensive. There are nice bakers and they do

nice suites. So maybe once a week, we will go mental. -- sweets. A

cheat today, after a tough game. -- day. One of the nice things about

the culture is that every morning, you go around shaking hands with the

staff and players and you ask how they are, and I really like that.

And some of the crowds, the away games I guess are intense. When we

played into one, when you watch from the hotel to the ground, they

surround you and start doing their chance. It is like an away game in

Cardiff. -- two. That is what is good about -- about being out here.

I try and stay out of the hustle and bustle of central Paris and I come

to places like this where it is more tranquil and relaxed and I keep

myself to myself and I just chill out. It is good and I am enjoying it

over here. It is still quite new to me but so far, so good. A big

political thing back home is the future of the Heineken Cup and

players in different countries. Do you follow that all concentrate on

what happens on the pitch? I like to keep my head down but talking about

reasons about coming out, I wanted to play Heineken Cup rugby. No

disrespect to the Dragons because they have been good to me, but we

have not been playing Heineken Cup the and that is something I wanted

to be a part of and hopefully a challenge for winning things at club

level. That was another big opportunity to come out here. While

his Lions team-mates had a break to recover after a last season -- after

a tough season, he was back into action. The top 14 lasts longer and

is said to be more physical. The French flair, that is tough. And

there are other games with out and out forwards battling each other and

their big monsters in this league. -- and their pick. A couple of South

Sea Islanders. That code is blindside and open side, here is

left and right. -- at home, it is. It takes getting used to and

different running sites, so it mixes It takes getting used to and

up trying to learn a new style of game. -- sides. Hopefully, it will

develop me as a player. You available for Wales and the Six

Nations in your contract? -- are you available. That is one of the main

things I made sure of when signing. If I could not be released, I would

not have come. I know you are watching the Dragons and Scarlets

game, what do you make of the sudden rise of the Dragons? They are on

fire! I was wearing my Dragons top and I was rooting for the boys, so I

was chuffed. Leaving the suburbs, we headed for the suburbs where we

heard Jamie Roberts had embraced his in a breezy. -- in Parisien. --

inner. Jamie, we have, from Dan Lydiate to the centre of Paris, why

here? I have come over on my own, he is settled with his wife and a lot

of the boys are settled and want to live in the suburbs near training.

But I have an apartment in the centre of Paris and it is awesome!

You feel like you are part of the city. It is one of the main reasons

for coming here. The top 14 is very impressive, it is an amazingly. The

fact there is relegation and pressure to get in the top six. You

play in the play-offs and there is great pressure week in and week out.

Teams have to pick their best players and that is different to

back home. Maybe a week before the Heineken Cup, clubs will rest their

top players for the Heineken Cup, teams cannot afford to do that here.

Janey injured his ankle three weeks ago but he is determined to defy

medical opinion and get back sooner rather than later. -- Janey. They

said it could be 12 weeks, so may target is seven weeks. I work hard

in rehab, I am diligent and we have a fantastic medical team at Racing

Metro. I would love to be back for the autumn internationals, fit for

selection, we will see. As a qualified doctor, your opinion

counts more than most! It does not, I do not have a clue, I have

forgotten everything after my finals!

I am glad I made the decision to come out here. It is completely

different, like chalk and cheese to back home, a different way of life.

I am out of my comfort zone and learning continually and meeting new

people and that is what life is about.

Both players enjoying themselves in Paris but the worry is that more

will follow them and a lot of activity over the weekend. We talked

about Leigh Halfpenny, the police said he was in breach of contract if

he did visit Toulon and he needed written permission. Somewhat 's

agent said they said he wanted to stay in Wales -- the agent of some

Warburton. And there are a number of guys out of contract at Ospreys at

the end of the season so we could be facing a situation where two thirds

of the Welsh side are playing out of Wales, would that be disastrous? Not

ideal, but the nature of the business and finances, that laws

these guys away from Wales. -- lures. While we want the best

players in Wales, we were talking about box office, we want a winning

team. So if the funds can be spent better elsewhere in the team to

build a better platform to make it a bit -- a better side, that would be

more entertaining for the supporters. So better to spend the

money on three other players that will be there every year? It is

something the regions will consider, it has to be. We have mentioned

recruitment and Leinster do it particularly well, we talked with

the guys at the Ospreys. Guys will be available throughout the season.

And you can get a couple of players for the cost of a Leigh Halfpenny.

It is great if we can keep them but we do not have the finances and we

have to be realistic. The most important thing is to understand

where we are. These guys are still available for Wales and we still

have these players to represent us at international rugby, so if we can

develop young players and develop good players throughout the season,

we could go down that road. I asked them both the same question, if you

we could go down that road. I asked were forced to stay in Wales to play

for Wales, would they have moved away? Both unequivocally said they

would not. We have all moved away from Wales in the rugby sense. We

did not want to move away. Once we had done it, it was maybe the best

experience for us, but our hands were forced. It is the regions and

the unions to do everything they can to keep these players in Wales. I

agree if you off-load 300,000, you to keep these players in Wales. I

have a couple of players more in a squad. But will the pro 12 be a

feeder club for England and France? We do not want that, what about the

youngsters coming through? They want players like these every week. It is

up to the regions and the union is specially to try the core players,

go to them and say, this is the package. If they cannot get near it,

you can understand they will go to France. But it will be silly before

the World Cup, it will stop our chances of winning. The Heineken Cup

is up in the air, the regions do not know how much money they will get so

it is difficult and I understand the concerns of the players, but it does

come down to money. We have to say, if we can keep the core players in

Wales, as nobody wants to keep -- wants to leave Wales. But again, it

is down to finance. The Heineken Cup is a sticking point because players

cannot commit to Wales if they think there will not be a Heineken Cup

next season. Launch of what could be the last one Takes Place here in

Cardiff. In a week, the Celtic unions have come up and do what the

French union is dead and say they will not allow their clubs to take

part in a competition that is not sanctioned, the English increasingly

isolated? They are obviously in bed with the French clubs because they

released statements at the same time to say what they are planning, so

they are definitely working together and no doubt they have looked at the

legal implications, they have not gone blindly into it so they have an

idea of what they want to do. Ultimately, we will end up with a

compromise and there will be a competition. It might not be exactly

the same as what we see or what they are proposing. We could talk about

that all night but we will hang around after the programme for 20

minutes or so so if you have opinions on the future of the

Heineken Cup or the player drain, contact us and we will discuss them.

Ever wished there was more time for the Victor talking points? After

every scrum five we will be discussing the stories from the

weekend on extra time. Against the All Blacks, you have got to take the

points. The programme will be on just after this show finishes. To

me, it is Hugh Alito lack of effort. If you want to ask something then

e-mail us. Back to the Pro12 and last night

match between Munster and the Dragons.

Former Italian fly half Kris Burton made his first start for the Dragons

as they look to bring in a nine-year losing streak to Munster to an end.

Paul O'Connell was that from injury for the Munster men. The Tigers were

not want to concede now. -- the Dragons. The mistake in the Dragons

rank in the line-out. The chance here for Munster. A couple of

options here. The Dragons try line in the distance. Here is the angle

and the try is awarded. It is James Cronin who ploughs over the try

line. -- Sean Cronin. A slow ball. It is through the middle. This is

what they are after, they are forcing teams to make mistakes. Kris

Burton. The Italian fly half to bring the Dragons within four

points. He struck it well. Is it on target? Yes, it is. A great kick by

points. He struck it well. Is it on Kris Burton. Jonathan Evans is

hollowed by two men in red. -- is collared. Niall Paterson has seen

something here. Somebody was using the route. That is Andrew Coombs is

floating at the back of that rack. -- ruck. I don't think you can argue

with that whatsoever. Now comes the second release Surge. It is so

difficult to control. In the end... Is there going to be another yellow

card? There he is. That was almost impossible to stop as well. That was

pulled down, cynical play according to the referee. They have so many

men over, surely it is over for the Dragons? In the shadow of the

posts. It was inevitable all. The 80 minutes and up. This will be the

final act. Munster and trying to force a turnover. Paul O'Connell is

in there. It has gone forward and that is that. Unfortunately for the

Dragons, the final whistle goes and Munster have done enough to take it

here at Musgrave Park. A bit of frustration crept in

there. I felt Munster were killing a lot of ball and I didn't you with it

in the right way. I look at that and make sure it does not happen again.

I put the team under pressure so I am disappointed with myself. I make

sure I will put it right next week. Let's round at the weekend's at the

results. -- other results. The Dragons showed a fair bit of

resilience, down to 13 men. But they were very much second best. Totally

outplayed and I think Munster are finding their feet. They went back

to basics two yellow cards were significant because they scored a

lot of points and took the game away from them. Defence is a lot to play

this year. You can see they are playing with that gets more

confidence and they are more competitive. On the set piece, is

that something that can be fixed in a space of a week? Sometimes it is

fixed in a space of the season. It depends on your players and we know

but the Dragons limitations are in terms of budget. It is lower than

the rest of the Welsh regions and sometimes it is difficult for them

to get the type of player they want. For scrummaging, it is certainly the

play as opposed to the coaching. They have had a good start of this

season but it will be limited expectation given the restrictions

they have. Plenty of time left. We have had a tweet in by Alex

Cuthbert. Just three bags of money. Maybe he can explain that. Let's

move to the premiership now. Parc y Scarlets enjoyed a seesaw match in a

feast of tries between Llanelli and Bridgend. Llanelli won their third

game. The Blues and blacks had away in Aberavon. Cardiff winger proved

the match winner. This was his first of an impressive hat-trick. Neath

and Bedwas were looking for their work -- first win of the season. It

was the visitors in black which proved better. He marked his Bedwas

debut with a fine try. Cross Keys bounced back after last week 's

defence against Llandovery. Their bonus point victory was sealed in

the first 40 minutes with three tries including this one. Carmarthen

Quins one and a percent winning record continues against Swansea.

Dylan Morgan broke through to score under the posts. That his was a late

try to secure their win. Sponsor plea's winning momentum continued as

they played host to Newport today. -- Pontypridd's winning momentum.

They secured a bonus point victory. That win takes Pontypridd back to

top of the premiership with 18 point four is the Carmarthen Quins at one

point below. Last week Rick O'Shea paid a visit to a team that had

suffered a 181-0 hammering. This week he has gone to visit a team who

have not lost for more than a year. Welcome to the home of a club with a

great pedigree. You will see the captain of 1959, Malcolm Halfpenny,

grandfather of Leigh Halfpenny who can't join us today. I am not saying

he is in France, he is just not here. Easy in France? -- is key in

France? What do Gowerton and the Arsenal

winning team of 2002 and 2003 have in common? Gowerton went last season

completely and defeated. They have won their first three games this

season and today faces similarly then beaten team at the top of the

table clash. We scored 1000 points last season.

That puts you 25 matches unbeaten. Yes. How about the season before?

Wearsiders scrape that one from our minds. That we are trying to

scrape. What brings a lady out to watch Gowerton played? My father

used to play for the team and myself and now plays Gowerton. Just always

been a passionate supporter and I come down every week. We are having

an absolute ball. What is the ambition of Gowerton? Where do you

want to see them? We want to see them as high as possible.

Sustainability is important. We have gone from having three teams, down

to two. In the last few years we have had junior level and below. We

are investing in youth and it is nice to see, the club looks very

healthy for the future. Do you fancy getting involved? I know I will be

involved in rugby. I have started my coaching badges. I am starting my

level two, yesterday actually. I'm in the process of seeing where the

pathway is going to go. I know I will stay in bed the in some

capacity. -- were staying rugby. The winning rent goes on. That's one

against your old side, Trimsaran. I look at the scores and everything. I

followed their twitter feed. They have a few problems in the fence

row. Any props out there, go down to Trimsaran. We have got a few minutes

left. We look forward to the Friday night came, it is Ospreys against

Ulster. Ulster were last year 's runner-up but not showing the form.

Fans of the Ospreys? At home they have got a big advantage but I think

now is the sort of time of year when all the lines up back -- all the

Lions are back for the regions. We're getting into the teeth of the

league. Two very good size in the league, fully loaded. I think it'll

be a great match. Last season the Ospreys only scored two bonus

points. It was criticism they have a lack of firepower. You mentioned

earlier Jeff Hasler. Do you think they have addressed it? I think they

have. They have tried a bit of everyone but they have got guys who

know the position well. They have got a bit of talent in midfield, Dan

Biggar is on fire. Tito Tebaldi has settled then. I think they have

addressed it. They will be dominant upfront. They have got a pack of

forwards who are better after the Lions experience. I think they will

win and win comfortably put them in a great position ready for Heineken

Cup. A prediction? The Ospreys have started well but Ulster will be a

test for them. Ulster know they will have to play exceptionally well to

get anything at the Liberty Stadium. The Ospreys are looking solid. The

Ospreys have momentum on this site to make sure you tune in for that on

Friday at 7pm live from the Liberty Stadium. We are going online to our

extra time show on the BBC scrum five website. --