08/01/2012 Scrum V

As 2011 gave way to 2012, the RaboDirect Pro 12 League spurred

into life. The Ospreys and the Dragons took part in a Friday-night

thriller. The Cardiff Blues took on Leinster. We travel to the south of

France where life is treating James Hook very well. Have the boys

welcomed you here? Yes. I shake hands with everyone in the changing

room every day. It makes you get out there and meet people. From the

Mediterranean to South Wales to Good evening and welcome to the

programme. I am joined by Jonathan Davies and Gwyn Jones. We will be

talking about the so called player drain to France for that but let us

start with Leinster's visit to the another outing for the Cardiff

Blues because he has a calf injury. The captaincy goes to Sam Warburton

as Paul Tito is out. That has gone against the Cardiff Blues. A free

kick quickly taken. What a start for Leinster. They will be asking

questions about the Cardiff Blues Kearney steps past. It is the

inside ball that has abandoned the They need to get the Leinster

bodies out of the way. It was hit sweetly. Number 32 in the Celtic

to feed that one. Quickly taken by Xavier Rush. The crowd baying him

forward. Just a metre or two from the Leinster try line. Gethin

Jenkins has a go. He has to wriggle over. The crowd says yes but

Leinster says no. It is a Teflon. for the extra points for the

Cardiff Blues. They are back within one point. Hands were in there.

This is a great chance for the Cardiff Blues to go ahead. Leigh

Halfpenny has kicked superbly all evening. That is the commentator's

the penalty as well. The kick ahead, he does bring him down but he makes

a real meal of it. Fergus McFadden carries on where Janis extend the

done a bit awry for the Scarlets. Not the most exhilarating open

score. Interception by Wilson for Glasgow. The referee has called him

back. That was timely for the Scarlets. Here is at Rhys

Priestland, to put the Scarlets in the lead for the first time.

Straight and true. The Scarlets are up to nine points. Good drive by

the forwards. Rob Kenyon on Lou Reed. A yellow card. The sin-bin

the Scarlets. Five metres short. The referee said that was illegal.

A penalty back in the midfield. Here is another card. It is a Ryan

Wilson. Glasgow and now down to 13 men. The Scarlets taking the scrum.

Ben Morgan drive towards the Glasgow posts. He is there. The

Scarlets's first try and it had to come with a depleted Glasgow scrum.

Stephen Jones. Lou Reed had a little go. A quick ball here would

be handy. There were four in the a reception committee for the wing.

It takes that amount to get George North down. Glasgow are still only

a try behind. They are not out of this game by any means. A kick to

the corner. Williams covering. Put in touch by the scrum-half. To be a

line-out for Glasgow. The referee does not like that. He has given a

penalty against Williams. A chance for Scott White to bring Glasgow

within two points. No problem. It It is a lovely habit winning. It

doesn't matter how you get there. The Cardiff Blues, no shame losing

to Leinster but they could have one? With all their injuries and

going down after 15 minutes, they were staring into the abyss. The

data come on in the second half. Considering how good Leinster have

been, they did very well. Bewitching subject briefly for now.

Steve Shingler, the former Llanelli player has found himself in an

eligibility row. He was selected for Scotland. This added chose him

wearing a Welsh shirt. It seems a bit of a mess. He feels he has not

wanted by the national side. Wales would like to have him as part of

their options but his personal future, it is a dilemma between

national pride and personal ambition. All international rugby

players want to prove themselves on the highest stage. He has a better

chance of playing for Scotland and Wales. That is probably what he

would like to do. It is an interesting situation. His brother

has impressed for the Scarlets. You could have a situation where two

brothers play against each other in the Six Nations. They think he

might play for Wales. But he may be thinking I could have 50 caps for

Scotland but Rhys Priestland will be in his way here. But he could

fill the role for the Cardiff Blues. And I after the World Cup, a number

of players cross the Channel. Hook was one of them. We caught up

with him in his new home on the Mediterranean. It may be a short

hop over the Channel but culturally, it is a long way from South Wales.

Food, wine and Rigby and among the biggest passions here. James Hook

is already feeling at home. We are in glorious sunshine here. It must

get pretty heated when there is a full crowd? That is one of the

reasons why I signed here. I played here with the Ospreys and the

atmosphere was incredible. There is an exceptional atmosphere. That is

one of the reasons why we play rugby. The crowd's cheers and you

hear the drums. It seems the crowd has taken to you. There is a range

of James Hook merchandise. I'm getting good recognition? It is

good. They let me run out first in my first match. It was good, it is

something I am not is too. But it was really nice. He did not get

that in Port Talbot? No. You had a good run of games at Number 10. Are

you enjoying that? You have found a club that puts you there every

week? Yes, playing in one position for six or seven games, it has been

a while since I did that. I am enjoying the Rugby and you know

that every week, hopefully, I will play in the same position. He is a

very professional manner. It is perfect For us because his natural

qualities are fast and can take a long kick. He is brave in defence

and he has brave tackles. For as, it is perfect. How does it compare

it to the trouble direct pro 12? is a tough league. The difference

is relegation and things like that. Unfortunately, we are in the bottom

half of the table. Every game is vital for us at the moment. We

shake hands with everyone in the changing room every day. That makes

you get out there and meet people I think the French league is the

best in the world. It has huge TV exposure and great sponsors.

Massive crowds and it attracts some of the best players in the world.

With James Hook, we have been tracking him for a while. He is

versatile and one of the best outside-halves in Europe. Going

back to when you're making the decision to come out here, how much

of a big decision was it? What were the pros and cons? Obviously,

having a family makes it a massive decision. My son is not in school

at the moment. We would not be dragging him out of school. I

wanted to experience new things. has been a serial Pier for you. He

had the heartache of the World Cup. Within a week of that you moved to

France. What have you reflections been? Obviously, it was fantastic

how we performed in the World Cup. Disappointing from my point of view

because it did not go well. I was disappointed with that but when we

finished the World Cup, it was all about coming out here and I am

really enjoying my first couple of I would have taken a semi-final any

day of the week, but losing to France so narrowly, it was so close.

It cost us. I imagine coming to France in the immediate aftermath

of the World Cup, they must have been some banter in the squad.

the boys didn't say too much, but it was nice to be appreciated.

Obviously the big story back at home is many of the big players

fancy plying their trade over here as well. Yes, I can only speak on

behalf of myself and the reasons I have done it. The other players, it

is totally up to them but you can see why it is appealing to them,

the culture and the lifestyle. I don't want to speak too much about

the other players because it is up to them, but personally I am

enjoying it here. One factor that must have played into your decision

was your international career. Are you concerned at all that coming to

play rugby in France might have an impact on your selection in Wales?

Obviously, you are always concerned. My ambitions to play for Wales are

always there, but ultimately I am out here, I have a job to do and I

love the club. I don't want to upset the applecart here either.

Obviously with the French clubs, it is only one week before the Six

Nations, so it is difficult but all I can do is to press my ambitions

to play for Wales. If they want me, I am available, hopefully two weeks

before, definitely one week before. It is up to the club, if the come

want me here then, you know, I will have to play and put 100% into that.

Look ing ahead, do you see yourself staying in France? The it is too

early at the moment to say. At the moment I am really happy and the

main thing for me is that my family is happy. At the moment, I am just

happy here. If your little boy grows up to be a rugby player,

there is no danger the French will claim him, is there? No, he is

Welsh! James Hook clearly enjoying himself

in France, but there are concerns his moves could be the thin end of

the wedge. A trickle could lead to a Flood. The fall Welsh regions

have agreed to spend no more than �3.5 million each of them men for

the next season... In Wales we operate to some tough

constraints and conditions. One simply can't compete with the vast

sums of money that are being pumped into the game in France at the

present. Molly that is totally unsustainable. The world has

changed since the regions were inception. It is a very risky

position for any business to be reliant on one, or a small number

of independent benefactors. We are intensely fortunate in Welsh rugby

that we have had people who are that committed that they have put

their own resources into the development of the good of the game.

That can't go on. The player is offered a salary in Wales, and he

is offered six times that salary elsewhere, there was a chance we

could lose these players. That is the worry, that Wales could become

a development ground for English and French teams. The regions

claimed the salary cut will stabilise the game in a long-term,

but could it served as a green light for poaching our players?

These players have a learning to work towards an short career spans.

They are honourable guys who have given a lot to rugby so you can't

blame them personally. I worry about players going overseas for

vast sums of money, and how do we get them back if that is their

earning potential? Will we get them back at the end of their career?

Not everybody to cough up north, not everybody will take off across

the Channel. We could find a lot of our top players in Wales don't end

up staying here. It needs to be looked at as a matter of urgency.

Strong words. Gwyn Jones told me we have nothing to worry about, but if

a few players are going overseas there are plenty more to replace

them - what is your take? I don't agree. Their only so many of our

world class players around and we want to keep them in Wales. The

French clubs, the conditions are so loaded in their favour that they

will pick the best players from anywhere in the world. If we have a

lot of good international players, and another good Six Nations, they

will be prime targets and we can't compete. Regional rugby has

struggled since the World Cup, it has bounced back over the festive

period, but the region's need to develop their own money and the

regional cap really only addresses the internal market within Wales.

It doesn't address the external pressures coming from France.

just think they had to do something. It is always going to be there. The

only way the top players are going to go is because of the difference

in their salary. How long can France sustain that? We don't know,

but if the top players are going maybe we need help. The image of

Welsh rugby, the key to that to the international game, and maybe they

need help. Jones is going to say it is catastrophic because he is an

agent. He will want to bump up the money as well because he will learn

more. You can understand what he is saying, but some players if they

are good enough they will go. It is not only Wales that is affected, it

is many other players in the world. If the money is massively different,

they will go because it is their career and they have got to look

after themselves. Might the French bubble burst? Their model might not

be the best model to follow. Many French clubs are spending beyond

their means. We saw an international squad of superstars

that very nearly went under. Scarlets have got to be careful

telling everyone else how to run their affairs, they have been

through some tough times themselves. More broadly, if anyone goes to

France, everything is relative. If they have a crisis, we will

certainly have a crisis. Any player going to France, have it written in

their contract, when you come to a session, you come. No gentleman's

handshake. Wales are training, if you want to make sure of your

international career, make sure you are available for Wales. A politics

aside, James Hook is really enjoying himself and they have

taken him to heart. Yes, let's make no excuses. The reason they are

therefore is the cash. I didn't go to witness for a lifestyle change,

let me tell you that. At the moment there is a vast difference, but who

knows what will happen in the future. We are going to lose

players. If we don't play these young players, they will be gone.

There is an argument for every side of the story. It will always be

there. I'm sure this debate will continue, but now we will return to

the pro 12. On Friday night, the With just a five-day turnaround

since their New year's Day win over the Blues, the Ospreys make 10

changes. Lloyd Burns is out, Steve He pounces on it to save the

wasn't sure. Let's have a look at the field, waiting for support to

were arrived. Manufactured by 7 or 8. Watch how he holds the past.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 67 seconds

Ashley Beck and he has support. to come in the end for one of the

two, and it is Martyn Thomas who anybody near him. What a blow for

the Ospreys. Two tries in quick succession. So many dummy runners.

Just keep it simple, get it down there. Just over 10 minutes

remaining. The Ospreys have fought their way back. The Dragons need

some points to give themselves some is. What a killer blow from the

Ospreys. That is a fantastic try. You can question the forward passes

maybe. This is it, do we or dive to take it. It is against the post!

One man who was at the heart of everything good was Toby Faletau.

He picked up his second man-of-the- match award in the space of a week.

He can do everything. He is running off the ball. He was offloading out

of the tackle. His support play, he just has a tall. He is in the form

of his life. There is nothing he cannot do. He has been superb over

the last couple of games. He can get outside the back row in the six

nations and get to the first man. The attack of the back of the scrum,

I thought Ryan Jones was exceptional but I have enjoyed the

games are a have witnessed this week. Talking about the game's over

the festive period, you have made some interesting findings?

festive period has produced some excitement. We were hoping that

success from the World Cup would be translated into the rugby. You can

see from the statistics. The Welsh average came down to about 140

passes per game without including the Namibia game. It is quite

significant when you see how fast the games are played. There is an

ambition to recycle the ball quickly. I was looking at Friday

night's game. It comes down to how many passes that you get. This is

the only face of play when both sides managed to put five passes

together. They managed to get 80 yards at the pitch by doing so. The

defence is set. The third pass off and opens the game at. Toby Faletau

is used in wider positions. This is an example of what the Ospreys

tried to do. Jonathan Thomas does well to get that ball out. There

was movement there. The other thing the Dragons like to do is to put

long passes in. As we have seen it just now, he is devastating in that

position. Wales played against France and Ireland and South Africa.

Fantastic side to break down. They need lots of passes in the game and

our regions need to take that on board to generate excitement and

quality and scale. Going back to selection on that game. The Ospreys

travel to will Rodney Parade with a weakened first 15. It backfired.

They put a lot of faith in their youth behind. I do not understand

the selection of picking at the second front row. They had a young

back line. I would have picked a strong front five to dominate the

set piece and then give a platform for the youngsters to perform. But

they went behind in the game and when they brought the big guns on,

perhaps a lot of confidence, it was disappointing. Their second in the

league and it is a great position to be that they have not achieved

to their full potential. Since Scott Johnson has been there, I am

not sure who is in charge and what role he has. Is the coaching the

coaches or in charge of the first team? It does not seem clear what

everyone is trying to do. Collectively and individually,

those players have stagnated since his first season there. He has made

the decision to leave the Ospreys. It would be a natural time for him

to leave straight away. You could put the two coaches in position and

give them their head. They're always talking about promoting from

within. This is an opportunity for them. They should leave these two

in charge until the end of the season so they can put their style

of play on it. Then, by the end of the season, they will know for the

first time without interference from above, they will know if these

two youngsters can do it or not. They're all on a long contract.

Nobody will lose financially from this. If they can do it, they can

move on. If they cannot, they can go back into the system. But it is

time for them to say this is the time to move on. I'm slightly

disappointed with the pattern of play. The scrum is very strong and

someone mentioned last week may over-emphasise it. That is good

enough in the RaboDirect Pro 12 League. But when the Saracens come

down, there does not seem to be a plan B. The Ospreys need to make

decisions and the decision would be to leave Scott Johnson go tomorrow

and leave the assistance takeover. Let us turn our attention to the

Premiership. It was Derby Day. Pontypool took on Cross Keys.

Pontypool could be missing out on Premiership rugby next season. They

wanted to put one over Cross Keys yesterday. They are looking for

their first win at Pontypool. Cross Keys also had a point to prove. The

first try of the afternoon. The board of Steffan Jones gave Cross

Keys the lead at half-time. This was extended just after the break

when Fuller intercepted a loose pass and had a clear run for the

line. Despite the heavy conditions, both sides were keen to play open

and expansive rugby. It was an entertaining game. Dan Robinson

crossed for the home side's second. But Cross Keys showed their class

and why they are the leading Gwent team. Good vision put them in to

further extend their lead. The home side tried hard but could only

manage a late consolation try. Cross Keys were happy to come away

We set ourselves targets within the League. We are standing at the top

of the Gwent League. It is great It has been a sad week for and the

Avon. Shell was an understudy for Gareth Edwards. He was 64 years old

and Our thoughts go out to his family. We heard from James Hook

out in France earlier this evening. One player has changed the

direction. Rick O'Shea went to meet him. We are covering a youth game.

Whilst all the talk is of France and the player drain, one man knows

about playing in France, Alix Popham. Will come home. The coach

of a new bridge youth. Tell me about it? My wife's family is from

Newbridge and I think you've level is the best rugby of your life. The

do not realise how much you enjoy it until it is gone. All the talk

is that professionals going to France. What was it like? It was a

great experience. It the top league has a lot of superstars. They're

all looking to spend big money on players. That is what is attracting

players from all over the world. As a country, the do get behind their

local team. They support them phenomena Lee. The players will

want to be in Warren Gatland's thoughts. But the world class

players will be selected anyway. But going there will free up spaces

in the regions which will allow a local player to develop. Turn the

slow ball into quick ball. Change direction with the backs. That will

A lot of players are going now. It is an important thing to be able to

go as a family. I have been in touch with a feel for the best Dr

Mike Phillips a couple of days ago and he is having a whale of a time.

How challenging is it to get a youth team on the field? It is very

challenging. With the academy set up, it does not leave a lot of

scope. Even though I agree with that set up, we just have to make

do with what we have got. wonder that when, a local derby,

what with the highlight? Hopefully you got the try on camera. The

second half was a lot better. You have to do the best with what you

have got. Alix Popham clearly enjoying himself there. The

RaboDirect Pro 12 League takes a gap for a couple of weeks. Let us

The Cardiff Blues at the best placed West region at the moment. A

narrow defeat against Leinster yesterday. How will they be against

London Irish cut back a tough game. They know they have to win. It is a

big game. Edinburgh will be playing that weekend. It may all change by

the time we discuss this next week. They have been playing well. They

started well it would be a shame to let it go. The need the props to be

more direct when carrying the ball. The Scarlets have made a cracking

start. The defeats against Munster and they're facing a Northampton

side which is coming into form? Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets are

in the best position but the need to win. That is out tight it is. If

they go through, I'm not sure if they will go through as one of the

home teams. They just have to get through and the need to win. Both

teams and are tight. The Ospreys are out of it now, unfortunately.

It is a case of winning a game than seeing what happens. It is still

very open. The Ospreys, another disappointing European campaign. Do

they still see it as it has -- a realistic chance if they get into

the Amlin Cup? It is going to be very competitive. The need a lift.