25/09/2016 Scrum V

It has been two halves for our regions, two defeats and no points

on Friday, Saturday and two V ctor Ruiz, two Welsh teams in the top

four. Rob Howley speaks for the first time since being appointed.

Excited, proud, look forward to the next ten months. Scott Williams gets

more than he bargained for. What is going wrong with the Scarlets this

season? Good evening, welcome to the programme. Plenty to get through, as

always. We will do so in the company Jonathan Davies and Phil Davies. We

will find out what happened when Pontypridd and Merthyr locked horns.

We will start in the 12, when Ospreys took their unbeaten record

to Dublin. Alun Wyn Jones became the third

player to reach 200 appearances for the Ospreys. Rhys Webb and Dan

Biggar returned at half-backs. Sam Davies moving to full-back. Jonny

Sexton made his first appearance of the season for Leinster. He

steps away from Justin Tipuric. Eased back by the Ospreys. That

looks good. Easy finish. Another solid scrum from Leinster, going

forward. Jamie Heaslip very much in control. Keith said underneath his

feet. There goes another try given against the Ospreys. Rhys Webb

limping on the right-hand side. They come back in that direction. Jonny

Sexton. Try number three on the stroke of half-time. Leinster are

cruising in the first half. Really on the back foot. Fitting the

gap well. Steps, and the man who got the first try gets the fourth. All

going horribly wrong for the Ospreys.

Straight through the middle. There is Rhys Webb. Would you believe it?

The man he can sniff out tries from anywhere, looking up to see where

the line is, in doing so, dropping the ball. It has to go wide. Round

the back from Dan Biggar. Then John rices telemarketer races to the

corner, and after much perseverance, the Ospreys get their first try. Not

finished yet. -- John races to the corner. Delayed pass, well worked

try for David Howells. -- Davies, they get the third try.

Ultimately we would like to perform better than we did, particularly the

first hour. Ultimately not good enough. On reflection we got what we

deserved, which is nothing. A blunt an honest assessment, the Ospreys

bubble bursting after the first three weeks. Credit to Leinster, the

pace and ferocity they launched himself into contact, something to

behold. The forwards were outstanding, particularly the first

half. Pretty relentless. The ball carrying, particularly early on,

outstanding. What impressed me, picking and going from the ruck.

Attacking the first and second offenders. You highlight Justin

Tipuric, Alun Wyn Jones. This part impressed me, with Healy. Attacking

the first and second offender, attacking the third. One on one

against James King, the power getting them over. Great line-out

left, although the Ospreys don't compete in the 22. Jamie Heaslip,

number eight, the Leinster title end, they worked their socks off to

get the drive going forward. They get the spines in there, pretty

relentless. Sapping the energy of the Ospreys' forwards. Dominating

that area, going towards the line. As I said at the beginning, very

relentless, very controlled. They were superb or leaving. You see

where a lot of the action took place, they gave away penalties in

the first, Alun Wyn Jones saying the discipline was not good enough. Some

of that was the pressure of the Leinster Ford

-- front five. They gave the platform for Jonny Sexton to take

over, the variety in his game, brilliant. The very blustery

evening, you have to be assured of your kicking. Did not go too far,

just putting it into the stands. Very good position. Distribution

good. Taking the borderline. Feeding any of the forwards. When it was

slow ball, they just turned up, kept the pressure on. The Ospreys keeping

in the game. Orchestrating everything. Picking out one of the

forwards. Very simple try. Towards the end of the first half,

possession they had, look where they are attacking from. Putting them in

this position. Easy try. Very solid performance from Leinster, taking

the game to the Ospreys. The front five laying the platform. They were

convincing winners. Jonny Sexton putting his name forward for the

Lions. Much was made about the selection from the Ospreys. Dan

Biggar coming back in, Sam Davies shifted to 15, not a specialist. Was

that the wrong decision? The coach was honest about his assessment of

the Ospreys. They have both been playing extremely well. Dan Evans,

do you drop him, Sam Davies not playing there. If you are playing

well, the systems are going well, looking good attacking wise. You

pick Sam Davies at ten, maybe bringing down on. Selection will be

crucial in the next games. You pick the player who deserves to be

picked. On form, Davies and Evans were the key players. Did not make

any difference on Friday night. They were totally outplayed upfront. If

you put anyone at ten, would not have made a difference. We will find

out how they got on against the defending champions, Connacht,

before that Scott Williams got more than he bargained for in an

interview this week. Who inspired you to play rugby? My

parents, my father played rugby. Going up, watching him play, always

wanted to play. Apart from you is the best player at the Scarlets?

John Barclay, James Davis, even though if he's watching this, he

will love the fact I said his name. If you could change one rule in

Rugby, what would you change? No scrums. Get rid of the scrums. Who

has the best singing voice at the Scarlets? Ken Owens, always singing.

Who is the drama queen at the Scarlets? Jake Ball, Samson Lee. All

the drama queens. What is going wrong with the Scarlets this season?

The team is 25 tackles against Ulster, do you need new tackle

backs? I think so, you are right. Can you help me with my homework,

please? Are you going to sing with me? Go

on, you start. And Scott started on the bench for

the Scarlets, who made one change upfront. Aaron Schindler returning a

blindside flanker. Liam Williams continuing on the wing. Connacht

made six changes in the team that lost in the last match before it was

abandoned. Solid scrum. Good tackle from them.

Great try from a Luke -- Aluko. The ball getting out

there, lovely break by Jake Cingular, one of few players getting

forward for the Scarlets. Jones. The referee says a Connacht player has

been pushed into a wide ball. Excellent play from John Davies.

Liam Williams, what a try this is. Emre -- great hands from John

Davies. Just what the crowd wanted, what the Scarlets needed. Is this

the start of a comeback? The ball has gone down, Williams. He

is away. Good seats from the winger. Slotting into the full-back role. I

just want to check the grounding. Nothing wrong with that. I can award

this right? Ken Owens, right beneath the shadow of the posts. Wider pass.

Sensible play, drop goal. Has it gone over? The referee's arm has

gone up. The Scarlets note it has. We had more territory in the second

half, making sure we stayed there and finish them off. Pleasingly

could do that, but still too many mistakes, missing touch. Shots at

goal, we left a lot of points out there tonight. Conditions conspiring

to make it and uninspiring spectacle. The Scarlets when care,

off the mark. They have made no secret they want to play a quick

paced, up-tempo game. Sometimes you have to put the brakes on. They're

very lateral, want to play an expansive game, but you have to earn

the right to go forward. I don't think they are doing that and not.

Maybe placement for Ben Morgan. They pressurised, should have had nine

points. Missing three kicks at goal. Nine points in those conditions

would have been great. We saw some mistakes. The restart, going long.

Also a kickable penalty. Because they have missed three kicks. They

go along again. Mistake after mistake. In these conditions, you

don't have to run. Shovelling bad ball on. Under pressure, Connacht

for they score the try after the pressure from the Scarlets. They

have to learn to be patient, kicks slower ball. Turn the pressure,

again they go wide. The ball gets to Jake Schindler, he is over the gain

line. They go wide, setting up a ruck in midfield. A little bit slow,

little bit deep. Again brilliant skill, brilliant passing. Brilliant

pass by Jonathan Davies. Easy things for Liam Williams. After this, they

thought, hang on. A point behind. Going in front. They don't set it

up. Old head, young shoulders, knocking it over. They had to score

twice, with five minutes left. Good take by the scrum-half. Just get

down there, restart. Play the final whistle, out you go. They have to

learn play what's in front of them. Game management is so crucial. We

applaud them, going wide. You cannot shovel bad ball on. Defences are so

good. They have to be patient. We saw them tightening things up to

close the game out. One other thing that will please the coaching team,

how the line-out functioned. Disrupting Connacht at will. A real

point of contention. Disrupting the opposition. Jake Ball, they are all

highlighted there. Chasing forward, the system is a zonal system. Jake

Ball attacks, gets up at the front. Bodies in the air, putting pressure.

They get the takeover. Great reactions. They made a mess of the

Connacht line-out. When you are trying to simplify things as a

coach, get a victory, great analysis work by the forwards. Great

disruptive element of the game, making it difficult for Connacht to

clear their lines. Get good quality ball in attack. They should have won

that by 15 plus. Just too many mistakes. They are off the mark,

they have a win. Another two tries from Liam Williams, they will be

determined to hold on to him. Let's move to the Premiership, the tie of

the round, Pontypridd against Merthyr. A little bit more spicy by

the presence of del McIntosh and Lee Jarvis, the Merthyr coaching staff.

Here we are, what are your thoughts on this? Fantastic on the grass is

very green. Brilliant. Let's hope this afternoon it will be conducive

to good rugby. How emotional is this occasion to date? Yesterday the

first time I had seen it complete. The boys working. I had a few tears.

A lot of people don't realise, I had to adapt to the muddy pitch. I liked

a goose step. Great service. We can look forward to a running game. What

do you reckon? They have done a good job.

This is the one, he being made. Brand-new 3G pitch for a blood and

thunder Welsh derby. The Valley commandos against the iron men. The

only thing missing will be. We were not disappointed, it produced a

5-star match. Merthyr powering into a 14-0 lead, two tries in the first

quarter. This one from the outstanding loosehead, James Howell.

If the iron men have the power, Pontypridd at the panache. Hitting

back with two superb tries. Both from the old warhorse, Ceri Sweeney.

14-13. Great contest, great derby. Still in the balance. Early in the

second half, Rhys Williams and Alex Webber exchanged tries. Eventually

the iron men took intro. Taking the road to the line for the bonus

point. Late on, the loosehead again showing how to do it. Running like a

rhino to send the winger whizzing over to top off a thrilling victory

for Merthyr. How pleasing was the wind? Great. A battle of the

valleys, to come here, not many sides have won this season. Over the

last ten years, to get a victory, very pleasing. Fantastic valleys

rugby occasion here. Merthyr fans will be celebrating long into the

night. Here is a round-up of the rest of the Premiership.

Another week, another bonus point for the wizards, seven tries, top of

the table. 19 points from a possible 20. Easy wind? It was anything but.

The fightback meaning it was neck and neck at one point. 26-25. They

ran in again. Despite the challenge, champions ever fail, they are not

letting go of their title easily. The steelmen capitalising, with the

ravens reduced to 30 men at one stage. Four second-half tries

ensuring the bonus point. Seven tries for Crosskeys, as Swansea

continue to struggle in the Premiership. They lost the first two

games of the season, now hitting some form. Two bonus point wins in a

couple of weeks. Swansea managed a mini revival, could not catch the

home side. Skipper Scott Matthews bagging a hat-trick. Life on the

road is pretty good, they remain unbeaten. Tom Hughes scoring. The

rest of the points coming from a try, penalty and two conversions.

Quinn 's managing two tries during the 80 minutes. With three tries in

the first 15 minutes, they were thinking they were heading for a

comfortable win. Never pays to write off the Welsh All Blacks. They

pushed them all the way. Ryan Thomas freeing the winger for the first

try. Nerve wracking watch for all involved. The home side clinching

victory in the final seconds. Cardiff went into this game having

won both of their home fixtures. Their opponents had lost both of

their away ties by narrow margins. This time the visitors came out on

top in a close-run fixture. Nip and tuck all the way. Five yellow cards,

three tries apiece. Jack Maynard kicking 13 points. In this

afternoon's match, Newport securing their first win of the season. No

change at the top. Beyond a dream start for Mark Jones,

head coach of Scrum -- RGC. It will be a road trip for those fans

heading north. Rick has been on the road, heading to a place that will

commemorate a particular the poignant anniversary.

As we watched the use of this rugby club playing on grave field, almost

impossible to imagine the horrors of the events that unfolded on October

the 21st, 1966. On the morning that a waste tip slid down a mountainside

into the mining village of Aberfan. Claiming the lives of 144 people.

Including 116 children from the primary school. The club secretary

was a pupil at the school that day. We heard a terrible noise like jet

taking off. Everything started shaking and vibrating. Plaster and

water coming off the walls and the ceiling, the teacher came in from a

told us to get under the desks. All of a sudden, we saw the caretaker at

the window for breaking the window, opening the window, begging us the

climax, using the desks as a makeshift ladder. We climbed out,

ran home. My mother said, what are you doing home? All I can say, I

don't know, the school is falling down. You played a bit yourself. Now

transferring into management of the game. Things going well? Not too

bad, we have a section giving strength to strength, three or four

teams. Under 16 side. Youth rugby this afternoon. Two senior teams at

2:30 p.m.. Not doing too bad. This club did not exist 20 years ago, how

did it come about? At the turn-of-the-century, 2000, there

were two clubs, both forming in the 1970s. For over 30 years there was a

healthy rivalry between the two villages, in the 90s, both sides

started to struggle. The sensible way was to try and do something

together to keep the rugby going. At the start, archenemies. It all came

together. As the years went on, we were the first true region. Sounds

like you invented regional rugby? We were there first. It is the merger

of two teams who were massive rivals? Could you imagine a time

would come? Never mind what happens, that will never take place. We

started a youth side in the second year, under 15, under 16. The minis

from eight up. It is up to develop those

players and keep them. At the minute the Welsh football scene is very

much on the up. There is a football pitch taking over the team. It is a

bit narrow for rugby. Could do with turning around. We are looking to

get a 3G pitch. Maybe Merthyr can hand it to us. I would think you are

feeling quite comfortable about the future of this club. Looking to

build, three teams out. Three or four games to morrow with the minis

and juniors, looking good. -- tomorrow. There will be a series of

special programmes across BBC Wales can

-- commemorating that disaster. And the victims. Amid the furore around

Warren Gatland's appointment as coach of the lines. You may have

missed the new head coach of Wales. He gave his first interview on

Friday. You are Head Coach, as opposed to interim coach last time.

How significant is that? I see it as interim head coach. Warren Gatland

coming back in 12 months. Certainly a different feel about it now.

Warren Gatland has said he's going until 2019. It is an opportunity,

I'm very proud. I know we have a really good coaching team. Delighted

to bring Matt on from the Cardiff Blues. A left-field appointment to

many. Not really on the radar at Bristol. He has been at the Blues

since the start of this season. What told you he was the right guy? Ends

July, when we came back from New Zealand, between the regions, and

the national setup, there has been a lot of exchange of information. Part

of that meeting up with all of the attacking coaches. I met Matt from

that first official meeting, I watched with interest, the Cardiff

Blues. It is a gut feeling. Left-field choice. Personally I

think it is the right choice for the right time. Are you concerned it may

be seen as a kick in the teeth for Welsh coaches, who have been in the

system for a while? I did not. To be honest, you pick the personnel which

is right for the right time. He seems a very astute and tactical

coach. I like his attention to detail. We have the right person,

I'm looking forward to working with him. One thing you will have to work

with is the senior player selection policy. We have seen the list of

seven players, Warren Gatland's law. You can call it that. How do you

feel it has been imposed at the time you have taken over? I'm quite

comfortable. We have a huge responsibility as Welsh coaches, the

Welsh Rugby union. Looking after the succession plan. When you look at

the Sam Davies, Keegan Giles, we want those players who stay in

Wales. A senior bunch of players have made a decision to stay in

Wales, benefiting from the number of games, the medical, the analysis.

Huge incentives to stay in Wales. Some players making a decision,

selfish decision for them, to go away, making that decision, knowing

about this for a period of time. I am comfortable, looking forward to

the challenges. Selection, for the next four, five games. You won't

have to make any dramatic emissions, looking at the seven players, the

amount of wild cards at your disposal, you can manoeuvre to pick

the players you want? It comes down to performance, that

is the bottom line. And to what extent will be see a different

looking Wales in terms of style and personnel given that Warren Gatland

will not have an input in this period? This was discussed backing

June, July and August regarding the style of play and the exposure of

our game out in New Zealand in particular. They have certainly got

the right model in New Zealand in terms of the ability of their front

five to have a high skill level. It is something we are very mindful of.

It is work in progress and we have exchanged a lot of information with

the regions, a two-way process, and that will help us going into the

autumn series in terms of style of play but also the key in the next

ten months is to win and be successful on the international

field. Lots of interesting stuff to come out of that chat with Rob. And

we ended on the style of play, the abolition of style, and didn't we

see a change in New Zealand? If they are to continue to evolve it to

change the personnel, I asked. Do they? I think it looks relaxed. More

than four years ago, he has got the experience. But I think it is a bit

of a grenade for him. Expectation will be high because Australia are

going well. We would expect to beat Argentina, Japan. Baby three out of

four. That is the expectation aspect. Will they change style? They

said they are evolving, I can't see much of that happening. They played

wide against easier and, and it seems that when they lose the ball

New Zealand score. They have to work on that. The question is, if the

change it, do they then change the personnel, or do they think the

current players can change their style? That is the question. It is

very difficult at the moment. I think if they are going to change it

drastically they will have to change personnel, and it depends how much

they want to change it. The crucial answer for me there was

international rugby is about winning. If they think they can win

playing the style they have, and sure they will go the same style in

combination with a little bit of tweaking. It will be interesting. It

is a difficult time, it is a tough November calendar, and then going

into the Six Nations, fighting for places for the Lions. And his stamp

will be honoured, because before Warren Gatland was overseeing it,

and now it is up to Rob. I wish well and hope he does make a few changes

and evolve and play a bit differently. Do you think they will

change? Sam Davies, he on the front foot, Dan hasn't played enough, so

we have to see how this one goes. The Blues are going well, you put

Scott Williams, Roberts, to play a bit differently. Those are the two

crucial areas of selection, ten and 12. Those are the ones that will

orchestrate how Wales want to play. Liam Williams will have to be on

full-back and Lee Harvey on the wing. Those changes will be crucial

to this autumn. Tell us about Matt Sherrod, bit of a left-field choice,

not on their radar of anyone. We worked together at Worcester. He is

a lovely guy, very inquisitive about the game, like some expansive style

of rugby. Some of the work I signed at Worcester was very impressive in

respect of helping players understand how to create space, good

decision-making under pressure. And if we want to change our style,

those things will be absolutely crucial. The distribution, like

Jonathan mentioned, ten and 12 for me as well is an extremely

interesting selection because everyone to change style we have to

get good distributed as, and that will be the challenge. Briefly, he

did ignore a couple of guys who have been in the Welsh scene for many a

year, Griff Rhys and Jones. Would you have gone with them? Stephen is

learning his trade, sure he will be an outstanding coach he was

outstanding player, and knowing him and his work ethic, but Griff Rhys

for me would have been an outstanding candidate. He would have

been a serious candidate. Thanks, chaps, we have to move on. And on to

the Cardiff Blues. They were on the road, taking their unbeaten record

to Parma. COMMENTATOR: And you look front row for Cardiff Blues. Stephen

Shingle at number ten. Gethin Jenkins was on the bench, so sham

Warburton captained the side. Zebre welcome back Johan Meyer for his

first art of the season. COMMENTATOR: Good pressure from

Zebre. Always a different proposition at home, the Italians.

They are camped on the line, and they take it up short. Just inches

to go for a Zebre. And they are over. The first try goes to the

Italians, and it is the scrum-half getting the congratulations. Lloyd

Williams delaying his pastor Scully who cuts a clear line to score the

first for the Blues. It is Cory Allen with a little dink through.

Brilliantly done by the full-back. And it is a second for the Blues.

And here is Tom James. At Uighurs James. You won't catch, that is a

third of the season for the inform winger. Out on the left-hand side,

and there is Giulio Bisegni. They are not giving up yet, the Italians.

This looks promising for Zebre, if they can move the bouncing ball. It

must be a score for Giovanbattista Venditti. And Zebre can get a droid

of this. And it is all on Edoardo Padovani. But he has screwed it, and

the Blues live again. STUDIO: It was scrappy and a little bit nail-biting

at the end with that missed conversion, but it is another win,

and in the scheme of things, Jonathan, that is all that matters.

The way they started, they would be disappointed. I saw Danny Wilson's

post-match interview, and they are happy with the win. But with three

tries, and the way would have expected four tries to come away

with the with a bonus point. But lucky with the missed conversion.

Indeed. And it is a defining period coming back because they are back at

Cardiff Arms Park where Leinster and visitors, then the small matter of

Welsh derby the Ospreys. They are four out of four, but this will

determine whether they are contenders this season. It was a

close game yesterday, they are happy with the win, but the previous three

performances happen pretty clinical and comprehensive in certain areas,

particularly their ball carrying has improved. Their set piece is strong,

their scrum as they are. They have a platform to play, and a good kicking

game. The game at the moment, they are in a good position to take on

Leinster. They are scoring tries and defending a lot better, that is the

key. I think the Ospreys' game will be the big one. We're all looking

forward to that, in a fortnight. Onto the Dragons, and the two were

on the road in Italy this weekend. Seven changes for the Dragons with a

Muscat hanning for the first time and I debut on the other wing.

Treviso were without players injured in their defeat to the Ospreys.

COMMENTATOR: Treviso try to get this rolling ball in motion. I did goes

to midfield. A foot race for the line, and the first try goes to

Treviso. Most jinking run. Who is in support? A lovely dummy from the

second row, back to Davis. Now the Dragons looked dangerous. One more

phase. Davis, and the big man crashing through, using his power.

Treviso into the Dragons' 22. I good handoff from the number seven. Some

football required from Treviso. The scrum-half inching closer to the

line. They are screaming that the ball is being held on to. Treviso

described to go blind, one more phase, and there it is, no mistake,

gets the ball down. It is a good, clean take again from Marco Lata

Ronnie. Treviso now beginning to shift this rolling maul towards the

try line, and now the break. Good defence from the Dragons. Treviso

are pounding away. A desperate time for the Dragons, and Marco Fuser is

over, that victory down keys in their first of the season. Another

defeat for the Dragons, and a disappointing one. A grievance that

the Dragons have, that was one of two games in Italy this weekend that

did not have TML, we're not suggesting it would have changed the

results, but there were a couple of incidents file play that were missed

simply because there was no records to the TMO, and the line judges did

not have their microphones working so they could not committed with the

referee. That is an issue that league should address. It has to be

there in every game. If they want credibility as a league, like the

French 14 and the English Premiership, they have to have TMOs

everywhere. It is ridiculous they haven't. Absolutely. It is a

disgraceful stop there is too much at stake not to have a TMO, and

other competent TMO as well. Simple as that. I thought the first try was

grounded, and when they awarded the try to go scored, he was in

surprise. And now TMOs to refer to. The Dragons aggrieved. They have a

tough game coming up against Glasgow. Glasgow just missed out

against Ulster at the weekend. It was a belter of a game at the

Scotstoun Stadium. Ulster are top of the league right now. Seventh try of

the season for their player in this game. Two tough games coming up.

With the Dragons, Treviso was a bad result. Treviso have a bigger budget

than the Dragons. It is up to them, they should be doing better so there

is no surprise there. But with the Dragons, it is the fact they have a

lot of good youngsters, but they haven't got that extra income. The

Welsh players, and also the extra dog might be looking for change in

investment. If they can get that and have some experience, added to the

youngsters, hopefully it will become better. But at the moment it is what

it is. I don't think you can expect much, the odd result. Can they

expect victory against Glasgow? It will be a huge challenge for them.

They did well against Munster the week before last, and it will be a

massive challenge. As Jonathan says, it is what it is. They need time to

grow. There are some outstanding youngsters, and the need time to

build and grow. And people realise they are up against it to a degree,

with the budget, but there is a lot of effort going in. The crowd has to

get behind them and make it a fortress full stop because they can

still do the basics, the kicking of the tackling, and make it difficult.

But expectations cannot be that great. I'm sure there will be a

vocal crowd, it is our featured game. Make sure you join us for

that. That is all we have time for this evening. Thanks to Jonathan,

and to fill and for you for watching at home.