08/11/2015 Scrum V Sunday

Could the Dragons preserved their unbeaten record. Should the Scarlet

's have won in Leinster? We got into a fantastic position. Disappointed.

Could the world's best referee keep up with the pace? Good evening and

welcome to the programme. We've reunited two-thirds of one

of Wales' finest back rows in Colin Charvis and Martyn Williams,

we'll get their take on round 7 of the Pro12 and the rest

of the week's rugby news. Beth Clement is here with

her Premiership round-up. But we'll start tonight with

the Blues against Glasgow. After five consecutive defeats on

the road, the Cardiff loos were looking to get their season going.

They also had Sam Warburton, Gethin Jenkins and Sam Cuthbert back.

Glasgow had 15 international caps in their starting line-up and more on

the bench. The rug the community shared a few moments of remembrance.

Thought about flicking it through his legs. Last-ditch effort from

Lloyd Williams and did well to pull down his opposite number. Two metre

short and Glasgow looking ominously close to the try-line. Tackle over

the top. You see and go over the top one-handed. Magnificent.

Little dummy run from James, who has come off his wing. Williams looks

for the. Prop takes it forward. No one is rolling away. Little dummy

from Lloyd Williams. An opportunity now. That is Evans. Comes off his

left foot. Very good response from Cardiff Blues.

Stepped back inside. On his own. So dangerous. Baskett hall style over

the top. The big winger is going to go over for an easy try. Little gap.

It is the replacement, Ryan Grant who has gone over from close range.

Felt there was an inevitability about this Glasgow attack. Grand,

looking for his second. Harley is with him. The captain. Has he been

turned over? The referee will go to the TML, Gareth Simmonds.

Just short of the line. Great tackle coming in. What is the call here?

His hand has definitely come in. There is no opportunity for him to

scoop the ball into his hands. No more than the Cardiff Blues deserve.

Into the 80th minute. Evans. Cuthbert! Almost away. Last tackle

from Blair. What a wonderful win this would be.

Tap on the leg. It is quite fitting that Nakarawa is the man who pinched

the ball. The referee blows the whistle to call full-time on this

game. It was a significant improvement.

But it is a sixth defeat in a row. They led for long periods, but made

some careless slip-ups. Ultimately, where they are the architects of

their own demise? It was a much better performance. The Blues have

two big issues, one is defence. They are conceding on average, for tries

again. The other is composure on game management. 17-8. One minute

before half-time. Guys on their feet, they could be options, it is

obvious where this ball is going. He gives the ball straight back to

Glasgow. Adam Ashe, plenty of time and back to the halfway line. Lose

back in control. Good defensive line, albeit in their own half.

Sloppy defence. You have got to be disappointed with that as a

defender. Ultimately Glasgow score. This is straight from the kick-off

in the second half. Lazy defence from the Blues. Grayson Hart has had

a great game. Spots the gap. The Blues under pressure again. This is

the first minute of the second half. They have gone from 17-8 up, just

before half-time to 17-18 down. They have scored more points than

anybody, but it is the defence and composure and knowing how to win

games. Is that big the behaviour of a team not used to winning? Most

teams to get into a slump if you are conceding that many tries and not

winning games. Even though they are scoring points. I don't want to say

a crisis meeting, but they need to sit down and organise themselves,

what are we trying to do here? A minute before half-time, just show

some control and composure. If the ball goes into the stands, they can

set a defensive line and be very organised. The defence was a bit

weak around the fringes. When it comes to game management. The key

figures on the pitch knowing exactly what they want to do in different

areas when scale lines -- scorelines are such. A lot of scrutiny on Rhys

Patchell, his potential move west to the Scarlet. A lot of focus on him

and he gave us a timely reminder of what he's capable of? He has

everything you want. Kick the ball a mile and he has said the gas. Great

distributional. He's not the finished article, and has a lot to

learn but is a huge talent. He is a Cardiff voice through and through

and for him to go sends out the wrong message. It is not a done

deal, but it will be a big loss for the Blues if he does decide to

leave. Moving on the Ospreys now, and they

too, were hoping to bring a losing run to an end when they hosted Zebre

at the Liberty Stadium. With just one win in seven so far

this season, The Ospreys welcomed Alun Wyn Jones back. And included

Scott Baldwin, James King and Dan Baker. The confident Zebre side

travel to the liberty with a convincing win over the Blues and

Adam Boro under their belts. Lovely and quick for Leonard.

Jonathan Spratt. That is the first try from the Ospreys. Lovely chuckle

Brothers stuff between howls and Spratt. Into the 22 and it is the

Roman road to the posts for Josh Matavesi. Daniel Evans. To no one in

particular. Josh Matavesi has to tidy up. Dan Baker lending his

weight. Hint of a gap for the full-back. Here he goes. Alun Wyn

Jones, ten metres short. Daniel Berger. Acres of space on the

right-hand side for Eli Walker. -- Biggar. Ospreys get a third try.

Daniel Evans finding howls in a bit of space.

Bigger. Good hands from Josh Matavesi. Justin Tipuric with the

bonus point score for the Ospreys. Alun Wyn Jones, first receiver yet

again. Electric Eli Walker for his second.

This time the runner is Sam Parry. The replacement hooker is over.

Sixth try for the Ospreys. We have had a couple of issues around the

last couple of weeks. We have found out a lot about ourselves, it was a

test of character. We said it was a test of character last year and we

found our way through it. We're not where we wanted to be around the

league table and it is a bit of adversity for us to come through.

A very welcome bonus point victory against opposition that had beaten

Edinburgh and the Blues in the previous two rounds.

Does this signal a turnaround in the Ospreys' fortunes?

One game isn't going to make their season. They should be happy their

main players turned up on the day and they performed very well. You

shouldn't be running out that many points against Zebre. In the lead up

to a European campaign, you should be putting in that kind of display.

Next week is a very big step up again for them. We have talked in

recent weeks about how they look a different team when the big guns are

back and resort evidence of that yesterday, just interprets, man of

the match. If rumours are to be believed, his contract runs out at

the end of the season. Shane Williams thinks he will stay, what

do you think? He is a machine, it doesn't matter what jersey he is

wearing, he is an immense second row. He leads by example. I hope he

stays. I don't think anybody could blame Alan will Jones -- Alun Wyn

Jones if he is looking for pastures new. He has a young family and if he

is on the market, the big clubs will come knocking. Hopefully they can

put a deal together to keep him in Wales. Those two potential sources

of revenue. 30 years of age. You were one region club when you move

to the Blues, he has been one region man throughout his career. People

will come knocking him and he may be desperate to win silverware on the

European stage. I'm sure there were over chores for you from France and

England and further afield, any regrets you did stay? There is a

slight regret I didn't sample another club. You're lucky

internationally you travel and Sample a lot. In Cardiff we had a

good team and we were always getting into the latter rounds of Europe

will stop if somebody hadn't missed a kick in front of the post, we

could have gone into a European final. But with Alun Wyn Jones, he

is 13 out and he only has a couple of years and maybe he is thinking he

needs to move on to win the elusive European cup. The Osprey fans will

be hoping he stays. OK, let's switch our focus to Europe

for the next few minutes, because the Pro12's

about to take a two week break, World Cup, done. The first seven

rounds of the Pro12, done. Next up, Europe and the high-priced Champions

Cup. But the Scarlet 's, it is the Pro12 champions Glasgow, racing 92

and George North's Northampton. Two tough games travelling to Franklin's

Gardens and then racing 92 at home and we have had some good results

against Northampton at home but they did beat us there. It is very even.

Racing 92 last season and two seasons ago we had a good win in

Paris and a draw at home. The fear factor of going away, nothing to

lose, we have to make sure we are accurate at home to get the results

because the way results mean nothing if we lose at home.

The Ospreys found format just the right time.

Exeter have the ability to play but also put the width into that game

is. They went toe to toe with Toulon. I'm sure they might try to

do that against us. Claremont, they are well aware of the crowd they

will have. We are leaping into the unknown because you cannot watch

Ospreys playing, that will be their challenge. We will not get too

carried away with what we think the Ospreys will bring. We will focus on

ourselves and the type of rugby that we play in the Champions Cup. It

represents the best of the best. Only the group winners are

guaranteed a place in the quarterfinals. Some are more

difficult than others. The fact that we got Toulon and Leinster, Wasps

are on the up as well, playing really good rugby. It is going to be

exciting. Toulon's roster of stars has grown. They have had some new

signings. In Paris, the world's best fly-half has rolled into town. Stars

from the South are flocking north. Is this good for Northern Hemisphere

rugby? We should celebrate what is good about what we do rather than

trying to find fault. It is great to have quality overseas players to

help us, whether from Europe or the southern hemisphere. It is

competitions like this that brought star names. We want them to play

well for England. You can have a sprinkling of stars. These teams are

full of stars. These names... This is not the

fantasy 15, just a smattering of the talent available to Toulon. They

have won it three times in a row. Can you see anyone standing in their

way? They are very good squad. The second 15 is just as strong. They

will be difficult to stop. To be in a group with them you will not back

yourself because of the talent they've got, which is quite strange.

Because most of them are not French they can win away from home. That is

the key. The players that Toulon choose our very long in the tooth,

well International is that can perform. They are coming in as the

finished article. What hopes for the Welsh teams. Are they the most

likely to qualify? You look at both of the groups, the Scarlet have got

that team... Scarlet is have got an outside chance. You would never

write them off. If they can stay fit, you've got to win your home

games. If you do that then you might get through because if you look at

the groups they are quite tight. I think with Pro12 the regions do not

have any excuse. We have got to realise, anything is a bonus. Can

you see a Welsh quarterfinalist? I cannot. I think the national team is

easily the strongest team in the northern hemisphere but it does not

translate down. It is not consistent throughout the whole squad. There is

just one or two Mac players that will would not be an international.

When you look at Exeter, they are a very strong team. The Ospreys will

have their hands full. The Challenge Cup will feature the Dragons like it

did last year. These are the pools. It is a competition Cardiff Blues

have one before. They've got to go for it. These

regions need any feel-good feeling they can. You never know how this

other one around the group will feel. I think for both, they have

some good factors throughout the region, throughout the club when

they got to the semifinals. It is doable for both teams. Both will

probably relish the prospect of leaving the Pro12 behind and having

a fresh focus. We will start with the

Championship. It was one of the results of the season so far as

Bridgend took revenge for their drubbing in Round 2. A close first

half with the home side leading 8-6 before the Ravens took control with

three tries in six minutes. This is Mike Powell. It is two Mac

tries in two Mac minutes. It was a late consolation try but

they left empty-handed. They had the chance to go top but

came away with just a losing bonus point.

They repeated their victory to put pressure on the top of the table.

One hour down the M4 and other regional derby as Newport enjoyed a

bonus point win over Ebbw Vale. There was a battle between the

bottom teams. No victories for Meath. The weekend kicked off with

quite a match here. Revenge over the blue and Blacks as they got five

tries to Cardiff's three. That victory puts ten two second.

Last weekend he refereed the Rugby World Cup final at

an audience of millions - this weekend he was back home,

Rick O'Shea caught up with Nigel Owens.

Twickenham to this is a former mining community. It is more famous

for being the home of the best referee in the world. It doesn't

matter what you achieve in life. As a referee, doing the World Cup

final, you should never forget where you come from. As far as I am

concerned, the most important part of the game is the community and the

grassroots of the game and that is where I came from. From being out

here in the field, with the under 16 is every Sunday morning, that is why

I think it is important that you go back when you get an opportunity.

You must have been aware of this massive groundswell of pride, the

centre of which was this village you grew up in. What I saw on social

media, it made me cry, to be honest. There is nothing better than

bringing you back down-to-earth. On a Saturday night I run my dad and

the first thing he said was, how do help -- how the hell did you miss

that forward pass? That was the first thing he said. I'm really

looking forward to it. I cannot remember the last time when I packed

my kitbag at 12:15pm, and ended with a few beers at the end of the night

because I never get that chance. Here we are, all aboard the fun bus.

I was feeling very proud. He tells me a great story about how he rang

you last Saturday night. Tell me what happened. I said, how the hell

did you miss that forward pass? What is it like to be watching game

to see how well the referee plays? I was watching it closely because I

had ?40 on it. Nigel Owens is a great referee because he has empathy

for the players but he also has a great wit. He developed a sense of

humour when he used to kick a rugby ball because everybody laughed when

he used to kick a rugby ball. That is why he got into refereeing. This

is division one West. The biggest crowd of the season. They have all

come to see the referee. I am here for one reason, to referee

a game. That is all that matters. I would not be speaking to you tenets

before kick-off into again last week.

What does it mean to have the best referee in the world refereeing your

boys? Nigel is very good, everybody knows his quirky one-liners. The

time is 2:50pm. 20 minutes gone. Everybody is coming down here for

him but you have not seen much of him because that is what a good

referee does. Faster than last week. This is Paul James's mum! He is

quite a character, isn't he? It was lovely to meet him. He is a bit of

all right. Not sure you will get a look in there. I know. It is a

golden moment for refereeing. We had recruitment and there was only 30

people. After the final there will be 50 on it. We have 100 kids

signing on to referee courses. It is the nominal what one person's

involvement in the game can do. We need to work on our fitness because

the game has never flowed so much. He is the world's best. Should I

have? You can see they probably tripled the gate. When has a referee

ever triple the gates in any club? Never.

He is not using the whistle so much, you can hardly hear it. It is

normally over by the time he gets to them. Was nice to have him down

here, have a big crowd. I have been coming years and never had crowds

like this. Nice to have it. Not much wrong with the laws of the game when

teams play rugby. It is a lesson for anybody. Last week took on, this

week Gowerton, next week too long. Got to love Nigel Owens and you have

got to love rugby. Congratulaions to Gowerton,

and to Nigel of course, Another man in demand, Jamie

Roberts, he's celebrating his 28th birthday today, happy birthday to

you Jamie. And, in case you missed it, the part-time medical student

made his debut for Cambridge He turned out for them

in their friendly against Worcester Cavaliers, though he spent most

of the game defending as his team lost 29-7, but he's still hoping to

help Cambridge overturn a five-year losing streak when they take

on Oxford in the Varsity match Hopefully next time I will see

more of the ball. We will wait and see. I enjoyed it. Enjoy playing at

that level with those guys. But that to him, who I am sure is celebrating

his birthday watching us. Back to the Pro12 now, and

the Scarlets were defending a proud unbeaten record when they travelled

to Dublin on Friday night. The captain made way that Owens.

Behind the scrum, Gareth Davis made his first start since returning from

the World Cup while Hadleigh Parkes switch to inside centre. Leinster's

strength and depth was visible to the one that the Treviso last week.

Great drive on from the Scala line. Deliberate collapse from Dominic

that time. He's lip just about holds him up. The me runner and Owen

Garrett Davis, well covered by the Leinster defence. This is a very

encouraging and confident start from the Scarlets. Gareth Davies waits.

Hadleigh Parkes gets over for the try. Superbly worked by the

Scarlets. James Davies, slips it onto Rob Evans, who has had a few

carries this evening. Gareth Davies, again gets behind the

defence and finds Berkeley in support. It is a great try by the

Scarlets. The Scarlets desperate to get numbers back. The Scarlet is

throwing everything into defence on their own try-line. Quickly recycled

and picked up by Cian Healy. Mike Ross is there. Mike Ross gets over.

Territorially and possession wise, the second half as long to Leinster.

More of a defensive apple for the Scarlets. No letup yet from the home

team. Has been one-way traffic in this

second half. The gap opens up and the runaround from Johnny Sexton. It

is as easy as that in the end. That is the one. The tribe does not

count. Will the Scarlets finish with a flourish? It has been a great

effort. The try-line is there, within reach. The ball is lost

forward. It might be relief from the Leinster fans. The Scarlet 's gave

it absolutely everything and came so close. In the end they have to do

come away with a losing bonus point. My thought the boys put in a really

good effort. The breakdown area, we were disappointed with the referee.

Had some turnovers. Interesting point. We have covered the Scarlets

a lot in recent weeks. We have spoken in glowing terms about the

Scarlet 's back row, James Davies in particular and how his technique

over the ball has been winning penalties. They weren't on the right

side of Leighton Hodges on Friday night. Some of the decisions he was

talking about, what do you think that these? It is such a fine line.

It is a clear penalty to me. James Davies is over the ball and in a

strong position and on another day the referee could call a penalty.

What you have got to do, straight after the game emotions are high,

you have got to adjust to the referee on the night. If he is

penalising you constantly at the breakdown you become squeaky clean

and you give him nothing to referee. I think on Friday night, maybe they

should have had a bit of a debrief, 15 to 20 minutes into the game and

said, we're not getting anything defensively. If James Davies has

been such a defensive weapon in the weeks come by and the Scarlets are

relying on him to turn over possession and win possession on the

floor, they go in with the same mentality and it is not going their

way, where do you go from there? He is not the only person on the pitch

not getting his hands anywhere near the ball. In the first half, we have

players of their feet, players coming through the scrum-half and

players holding on. As a squad, you have to get a feel what the referee

is giving you. More in particular, not giving you. The background want

to get their hands on the ball and steal it as much as you can, but

when three of four penalties have gone against you, you have got to

let go and leave it for a few minutes. Regardless of are winning

and your is perfect over the ball, you get your hands over the ball and

you claim to the refereed attacker isn't releasing the ball on time, if

you get penalised for other offences, the referee will build up

an accumulative impression and penalise you regardless of what you

are doing? The referee is the judge. You have got to adjust on the pitch

and that is what the best teams in the world do. They play to the

referee. It is a fine margin. People talk about the scrum and it being a

complicated and difficult area to referee. So is the breakdown as

well. They might be proud of themselves on Friday night, they

gave everything and pushed a good Leinster side all the way. I think

they should be second, third in the league. They have done fantastically

well. An insight into the art of the breakdown.

They welcomed Ulster to Rodney Parade earlier this afternoon.

Jones made five changes to the side that lost to the Scala 's last week

handing the first row 12 start to Ollie Griffiths on the openside

flanker. Karl Maier was at full-back and was joined by Pretorius. Stephen

Mulholland made his first start for the province.

One-handed flick. Interplay between the officials. Jones, certainly the

most difficult of chances. One stab, great strike. Very, very good strike

in deed. That will take the Dragons 9-0.

Advantage being played. That is not a coincidence. You can see his knee

coming underneath the ball. I think it is very, very good defensive

play. Look out. That is a big call. That

is the prop, McCall. That is what you expect from scrum-half. We have

seen it from Pretorius. Opened and it was the scrum-half who took

advantage. Davies. Griffiths there again. Taking more and more

responsibility, the youngster. Evans spins round of the tackle from

Stevenson. The captain is going himself. Can he spent over? I think

he is just held up. Hands go up from Rhys Buckley. A man outside, has the

captain got over the line? No, I don't think he has got that now.

When you look at the work the players put in, it is a big

improvement. Hammered away. Didn't get the try. I thought we deserved a

draw. Big games like that, you need a couple of decisions to go your way

and I feel a couple of them didn't. That was the difference in the two

teams. After seven rounds, this is how the table stands, three points

separate the top three. Talking of the Dragons, they needed

25 points to beat Ulster. They are not scoring very many tries, but

there were playing expansive league last season but that has deserted

them. But their opportunities, they didn't convert any of them? This is

at the end of the game. This is a difficult one. The difference to me

was in the two teams, Ulster went down to 14 men twice and the Dragons

couldn't get over the try-line. The Dragons lose a player just before

half-time. That has been their Achilles heel, nine tries in seven

games. You need to score. Top teams scoring 26, 27 tries. Last season,

even in defeat they were chipping the ball around and scoring some

attract tries? One of the things in this game, Ulster are passive at the

breakdown at times. One or two guys come in and hit you hard and then

they back off. Even with zero Ulster players competing at the breakdown,

you still see the Dragons, parking over the ball. If you throw the ball

around, throw it quickly. That pause, I think was just enough that

the Ulster defence had time to reorganise. Although we saw the

Dragons full of endeavour, it was a fraction too slow. Europe will be a

welcome diversion for them as it proved last season when they reach

the semifinals. But is it from us this evening. We will see you in

three weeks when the Pro12 returns. Good night.