26/03/2017 Scrum V

As the race for the Pro12 play-offs enters the final straits, the

Ospreys trip up at Treviso. Six Nations ended in chaos and

confusion, we will find out what the Butler saw. Wales went from caution

to full-blown melodrama, that is progress. And speaking of progress,

and you team in the cup final as the North continues to rise. RGC the

history makers. He might well do it again as he helps steer his old club

to next year's bowl final. And we meet a supermum and her two proud

boys. From Scrum V, happy Mother's Day. Good evening and happy Mother's

Day. We have a packed show. Ian Gough is in the engine room, two

fly-halfs to guide us around the park and we will kick off with the

Pro12 and the Ospreys' bid to return to the top two. Inches away from the

try line, Ospreys defence is desperate. They could do with

another turnover year because Treviso like Cel look irresistible.

Over the line, the whistle goes, Nigel Owens in no doubt whatsoever.

Sam Davies, a lovely off-load. Plenty of space. No one will touch

him. A bit of Sam Davies magic. This is the one Ospreys player who has

looked threatening all evening and he got a walk in the. There it is.

Box-kick. Howells has barely touched the ball this half. Look at Giles

go. He is right through the middle. He has put on that after burners.

Brendon Leonard on the outside. Sam Davies on his outside. Brendan

hasn't got the gas but he mixes we to the try line. A despairing

tackle. The ball has gone loose in contact. It has gone to the Italian

side and Treviso have been let off the hook after a scintillating

counterattack. Now there is time to get the ball away to the foreign

words. -- for -- forwards a golden opportunity that went begging.

Treviso can sense victory. A 5-point cushion. They will not be doing

anything overly adventurous. Round the side. McKinlay has removed his

goggles for this attempt. It is good. The flags are up. The clock is

now in the raid, the crowd are enthusiastically counting it down.

The Ospreys will be condemned to their second ever defeat to Treviso.

Ian McKinlay triumphantly hits the ball into touch. The whistle goes

and you can see what that means today's players -- Treviso players.

I thought we were disastrous and we made things difficult for ourselves.

Towards the back end we lost composure. Everything we worked on

throughout the season, everything we haven't done, and it is something

which is a pretty sombre change. We are pretty embarrassed.

He has never anything less than honest. He was furious at the

conclusion of that game. You have played with and under him, what

would he say in the dressing room? He is known as a grumpy man but a

good coach. We have all been involved in those matches, you

turned up and you have been undercut out 10% by the opposition you

thought you should walk over. He could go in there, I don't think he

would have been charging at them because those boys will be

devastated and sometimes you need to pick some boys up. Training on

Tuesday might be a bit tasty but I think he will try to get the

confidence up and do the hard work when he gets back in. Virtually

everything went wrong on the night. Their defence has been great this

season. Almost from the very first minute the warning signs were there.

Normally they come off the line and stop teams for playing, especially

Treviso. When you go away to them you know they will come at you. You

have to be disciplined and make it hard for them. This is the kick-off

of the match. Keep them back at the 22. Suddenly they are away and from

this minutes Treviso were just playing. They were not putting

pressure, Ospreys. To revise or macro had a quick ball. McKinlay was

through on the inside. They are drifting across, not like Ospreys.

When they had the ball in attack, silly mistakes. Passing too early,

and line-outs were another issue. Whether it was overthrown or under

throne. Everything they tried worked against them. They have so many good

kickers in the backline with Dan Evans and Sam Davies. There seemed

to be a policy of taking it back to Treviso and waiting for them to make

errors. But they didn't. It wasn't until the last quarter when they

decided to really run the ball back against them and keep possession.

Some have suggested that the team was relatively weak. But the 23 that

took the field was more than good enough to win away against a revise

or macro. -- Treviso. Complacency? It happens. It sometimes happens you

just undercook it. The result in Edinburgh was a good Ospreys

performance, under the cosh with the defence and everything and they were

on the edge. They weren't on the edge and that is disappointing

coming to the end of the season when everything is to play for and they

want the top two slots, this is a big banana skin. A lot to work on.

Training could be tasty. So, the Ospreys losing out

in Treviso is a pretty big story. But undoubtedly the biggest story

of the week has been the proposed If you did happen to miss it,

here's a quick summary. On Friday night, Lewis Evans led the

Dragons out on the occasion of his 200th appearance. It was an

emotional moment in more ways than one because the Dragons stand on the

brink of extinction unless, according to the power brokers, they

accept the union's offer of takeover. It is not a set of options

which will be tabled. It is a proposal which will either be voted

through or not. If it isn't supported then the consequences will

need to be understood by all. And those consequences could be no

Dragons? Correct. For the deal to happen, 75% of the shareholders have

to agree to it. The doubters have understandable fears about handing

over their only acid, Rodney Parade, and there are suspicions that they

could cut and run if things don't work out. There are those who

believe that the union could plan to downgrade Dragons. If we move it to

North Wales then we just don't do that. It is a lot of trouble to go

to to then move it so we would need, if this would happen, we would need

to invest several million in both the transaction and the pitch and

stadium and then we should probably squash the development side of it.

We are very much trying to put the region back where it belongs, a very

proud history. The Dragons' region is the biggest in terms of number of

clubs and Gwent has produced some of Wales must -- most celebrated

players. Whatever their opinions, there is one of these truth, this is

the most significant crossroads the Dragons have arrived that since

their inception. Important times in the Dragons. Fast

approaching, the volt will happen, we have heard both sides of the

argument but the rhetoric seems to be if this isn't voted through then

it could be the end of professional rugby in Gwent. From that he would

think there has to be only one outcome, the warning signs coming

through that there are lots of people against what seems to be the

logical step for and lots of reasons why with Newport's history and

assets, the ground is so important. We nearly went bust and that was all

because of assets and not having a ground. The weight is going at the

moment and the chat from Martin Hazel and Stuart Davis is that it

doesn't go through they will want their money back and there is only

one thing to do, to sell the ground possibly to developers at a lower

value. You can understand the reservation of the die-hard Newport

fans who are worried about losing Rodney Parade but also likely --

ultimately if the receiver is coming they will face financial disaster

and the ground could go anyway. They haven't really got any options by

the sound of it and if they don't thought it through it will be the

end of professional rugby in Gwent and it will be a sad day for Welsh

rugby. A lot of conspiracy theories but we mentioned a couple in the

piece, people thinking that the WRU's intentions aren't altruistic

and it is a smoke screen to... But they have dismissed it as nonsense.

You were involved with the Celtic Warriors. We have come a long way.

It needs a professional team and professional rugby in Gwent. 70

clubs, a huge and very proud region. Massive players have come through

the ranks in some years. I imagine some people are stuck in their ways.

Every traditional club. They have to have faith that this is what they

need to do to get into the next phase then they have to. The chat

coming through is that they wanted to be rugby in Gwent. If they get

involved then the pitch will be sorted out. We used to win the home

games. It was a fortress and that needs to be put back on. It is not

happening as it is so I think it is the only way it can happen. They

said publicly that they are committed to the long-term future of

rugby in Gwent and dismissed the idea that they will take it to North

Wales. But there is no provision for a length of tenure at the Dragons

and Newport and they would be reassured that said ten or 20 or

however many years. I'm sure they will cover themselves as well

because they do not know how that will pan out. This is a new thing

for anybody and they say it will be a positive thing and the chat from

the players, they think it is positive and they wanted to happen

because they see things moving forward off the field as well.

Structure changes and the amount of players coming in and developing

that. We all want the old Newport Dragons to come through and be a

real force and they are not at the moment. I think the WRU are slightly

careful about committing to anything long-term. But I would be surprised

if they were to say what they said now and then a few years say it

isn't working and we will move it elsewhere. The WRU are contractually

obliged to provide four Welsh regional teams to the Pro12. If this

version of the Dragons bites the dust I am hearing they will create a

Phoenix from the ashes Dragons and place it in Ebbw Vale and start

again almost from scratch. That would set the cat amongst the

pigeons. A lot of the Gwent clubs are still seen as Newport Gwent

Dragons and I think he will get that with a regional set up based in

Newport. I think they need to get it sorted as soon as possible. A lot of

good youngsters are coming through the region and I think they need to

increase the standard of signing of players they get and push it

forward. The unions say if it goes through they will be able to invest

more in players. Gavin Henson is on the way for next season.

So it's been a week of distraction for the players this week.

Could they put the off-field issues to one side, and pull

off an unexpected win against play-off chasing Ulster?

There is room out wide, a clever kick. That has gone loose. This

could be a triad it is a try. What they start by Ulster. Craig Gilroy

gets in for the try. Griffiths has had another good game. There are men

over. Interception. Had Gilroy called that, he was done and dusted.

REFEREE: I am going to yellow card him,

deliberate knock-on. Well, well, well. That could change

things. Knocked back on the Dragons' side. Swept up by Brok Harris.

Dragons looking for men on the narrow side. He is over. The second

movement was legal. Henderson low and good driving

position and again Harris with the tackling. Back inside. Beautiful

stuff by Jared Payne. Here goes Treadwell. Nothing too brave now. He

needs to settle the ball and get it back and Ulster half to clear it. He

has been charged down and that is it. That may be a try. My goodness.

I think he has got it. REFEREE:

You may award the try. COMMENTATOR:

The try has been awarded. The Dragons will have to run it from

here. That has been knocked forward by the Dragons. That is an illegal

tackle by Ulster. Did he leave the shoulder behind deliberately. It

looks very much like it. Paul Marshall urging them forward.

But the Dragons have died in the referee says that is once. Are they

over the line? They are over the line and that is a third try for

Ulster. Kingsley Jones admitted afterwards

that the takeover talk had been a distraction,

but ironically, they put in arguably one of their best performances

of the season against a fully loaded Ironically, apart from the end, they

probably put in one of their best performances of the season. So close

but I have watched them a few times this year and they have gone away

from teams and put a score between them but never really seen to see

them off in the last ten minutes. That little bit of extra quality

they are lacking something that Ulster have got, that extra quality

has seen them through. Time to move on.

In some ways, the Six Nations already feels like a distant memory,

or a bad dream, depending on your viewpoint.

It's only been a week since the Paris farce,

just about long enough for Eddie Butler to put things

The romantic bookends of the campaign, Rome and Paris. The start

and the end, the win without a bonus point and the defeat with a bonus

point. The professional, slightly joyless open around the confusion,

the absurdity of the close. Jonathan Davies has written the word shambles

down. In terms of being good theatre, Wales went from caution to

full-blown melodrama. That is progress. But being good theatre

isn't enough. There seems to be an ongoing general dissatisfaction. It

is a bit unfair that we should have ended up under pressure here. The

scrummage. After a 6-nations where the set piece had generally been an

area of strength. Paris is tough if you are weak at the restarts.

Perhaps the difference between now and successes of the past was

subtlety. The past by Dan Lydiate to Dan Biggar on the hoof downfield by

Sam Warburton. What worked and what didn't. It is unfair to pick on the

former captain. He was exceptional. And his performance against Ireland

was extraordinary. Subtlety was given the night off and the game was

no worse for it. He formed a double act with Justin Tipuric. It was a

unit within a unit. What innovation did Wales bring to the championship?

Justin Tipuric at the line-out. The Liam Williams try against England.

Putting George North in the stocks to bring the very best out of him.

That was very distinctly Welsh. Others showed spirit. In fact,

spirit was clearly not an issue. Ross Moriarty, the wrecking ball.

But here we come to one of those head scratching moments. Why take

him off? Because the GPS said? On the day, GPS rules over gut instinct

is the day that we should all join those that don't turn up to watch

rugby any more, joined them playing their computer games. For the

moment, there is enough to keep us glued to the occasion. A defeat to

England and the victory over Ireland, both dramatic to the very

end, both could have gone either way. And in all the 20 minute

quarters played, that is 21 counting the Paris supplementary, how many

bad ones were there? One in Rome, two in Murrayfield, three in Paris.

And that final eight, seven minutes against England.

That still leaves 14 and a half good quarters but here we are, eight

tries, fifth in the table and a bit dissatisfied. If not for lack of

good theatre or spirit, certainly not for lack of courage. It remains

a technical matter of being masters in those areas where space and time

are reduced like never before, life on the gain line, protecting the

ball in the contact area, areas where New Zealand keep their skills

intact, those places where the All Blacks pounce on error. On that

score, we should worry assume that more of our spirited team have

slipped out of contention for the Lions tour than have put their hands

up. We ended up two wins better than Italy and two wins worse than the

champions. We began and ended in the capitals of romance. We played our

part in all the drama but we got a bit stuck in the lower middle and

lower middle of the road isn't really us.

A quick congratulations to Wales under 18 's, they have beaten their

English counterparts this afternoon at Ebbw Vale. Congratulations to

them. A lyrical approach to the 6-nations from Eddie Butler, as you

would expect. Fifth place, only eight tries in five games, the worst

finish in ten years and we can highlight some of the positives but

ultimately, that table does not lie. No, it does not. We were a few

minutes away from beating England and last play away from beating

France but if you take that away and the passion we had when we beat

Ireland and played against England, have we developed since the start of

this season? Are we a better side? Have we Dinefwr -- developed players

can lock no, is the answer to that. So, I don't think that we have moved

forward in any great shape, which is the disappointing thing, which is

why we feel slightly underwhelmed. Actually, I don't think we have

actually moved forward. The revolution of Wales' attacking game.

Have you seen much evidence of that in the last five or six months? I

don't think so. It seems to be the same kind of physical dominance,

trying to dominate teams and when we come up against a team that can

match that, we don't seem to have a plan B and that... All the other

teams around us are developing. I think they are trying to develop as

a team but we are certainly not seeing it and we have not seen it

for a good 18 months now. It is the inconsistency that is so maddening.

You can put a blinder of a performance in against England and

should have gone on to win that game, likewise Ireland. But they

didn't seem to be able to back it but away from home. One real bad

half was that second half against Scotland. But I think the coaches

have got to look at themselves. What have we developed? All I saw in the

attacking game was we kicked for touch following notice of taking the

kicks at goal at times. Were they just scared of losing their jobs or

can they be coaches and develop these players? They have heard a lot

of voices over the last 12 months as well. Alex King came in during the

6-nations. Is there a fear perhaps that they are just hearing too many

contradictory voices? With the time they have had, Matt tried to adjust

things a fortnight before the autumn internationals. It is hard, with a

region, you have months to do it. That was such a short period of

time. Alex King came in for the 6-nations. You need a long period of

time and with the two voices coming in, I don't know any other nation

that would have two attack coaches coming in in the same season to try

and adapt things, which is what we are saying we need to do in our

game. We have got the summer tour. How much we will learn from, I don't

know, with the opposition we will have, with the youngsters going out

there. But another new voice there with Stephen Jones going out there.

A great experience in one sense but it is not the best long-term

strategy with the World Cup not that far away. Having missed an

opportunity to blood new talent? Shane Williams last week said Sam

Davies Hass to start those tests in the South Sea Islands. Definitely,

they have picked him and we have not seen him at all. He has to play on

the summer tour. Certainly with the other boys as well, we did not see

any of them. It does not seem to make any sense to pick them and not

give them a run at all. I am as frustrated as anyone. We are all

frustrated. We want to score lots of tries. The problem is if any of our

key boys get injured, who is going to slot in? We were very lucky with

Ross Moriarty coming into form. We have relied so heavily on Faletau.

We were just so lucky that he came into form bang at the time that

Faletau had his injuries. What happens with the rest? If there is

an injury, you are throwing in some one cold. In the meantime, when

things happen, we are a bit stuck. I would like to see us be a bit bolder

than to take those decisions and develop people. The Ospreys did it

last year and they had a poor season with the off -- World Cup going on

but all of a sudden, they are producing world-class players. That

is what we need to do right throughout the board. Now has got to

be the time to be bold. Now this next guy has had more

comebacks than Lazarus. He's just turned 40,

but he cannot let go. He's won 87 caps for Wales,

but is hungry for another appearance at the Principality Stadium,

this time in the colours Sean Holley went to see

if he could pull it off. The famous old university town of

Lampeter is the neutral venue. There is a rumour that someone famous is

putting on the boots for the club where it all began for him. Amman is

where it all started for me. It feels like a European cup final for

the lads, or a World Cup final. They have got to this position without

much of my help and they deserve to get to the final. If I get an

orderly, great, if I don't get on at all, disappointed but never mind. As

long as we win. For more -- formal player and can get in the team! He

has done well to get in the 23 today. The longest warm up I've ever

seen. That must have been 47 minutes. We are a bit more

professional with Amman and we want to get things right. Tackles going

in, everyone is up for this one. He is on after 18 minutes. Score 0-0.

He is narrowly but he is on, but your husband, his brother-in-law, it

would be good if they were all on. Good start, isn't it? Yes. You know

what people will say if we win. It's because of Shane Williams, but it

isn't, it is because we are Amman. We were just talking about your son,

he scored the first try. My baby. He is a big baby!

How long have you been following Amman is back --? Since I was a boy.

Will he ever give up? He is so full of energy. One of those games you

don't know what is going to happen and unfortunately Amman are playing

very well at the moment. After a shaky start, Shane Williams has got

to grips with the game. Who is he? LAUGHTER

What is the plan back at the club? A few celebrations and karaoke songs!

THEY SING. It was nothing to do with me, I just wanted to help. The

probably won't get this chance again for the final so it is great. I'd

love to be involved in any capacity. I would love to not play at all and

let the boys take the plaudits because they deserve it.

Congratulations to Shane and to Amman United.

They'll have their moment in the sun at the Principality

Let's find out who'll be joining them in the cup,

The first semifinal was a real thigh slap of a match in which the star

was that veteran warhorse Ceri Sweeney. His 37-year-old legs might

not be quite as brightly as in his prime but is in sinks remain sharp

as he showed with the first try of the game.

This score by when Joe Davis extended the lead. With ten minutes

left, keys mounted a comeback in which Lazarus would have been proud.

They scored three converted tries including this one, to bring

themselves back to within two points but it was left to the man Sweeney

to quell things with a late penalty. Also let drama in the other

semifinal. Last minute score by Jones sent RGC to their first ever

cup final. Celebrations sure how much that means to North Wales

rugby. In the plate, last year's runners-up made it through with a

narrow win. The supporters were dancing off the pitch. And

Caerphilly made it back to the big time in the bowl. Matthew Hurley's

15 points including this try proved the compelling factor for the

Cheeseman. Here is the line-up for finals day. THEY

RGC continue their historic season. The tightest game in the round was

won by a dramatic drop goal. Shane Williams making yet another

comeback. You made a bit of a comeback for the Cardiff Blues

recently. You don't fancy turning up for someone in the bowl? Possibly

not. If it was howling down with rain and wind I'm not sure Shane

Williams would have turned up! He was happy to play. I didn't see him

make a tackle. We will have to check the tapes. You were involved in one

of those dramatic gains yesterday. Pontypridd against Crosskeys. Three

tries and seven minutes. We were hanging on for the last five

minutes. Eight minutes to go and they were just two points behind. A

good few substitutions in the last 20 minutes who made an impact and

they caught us off guard. RGC in the final, first time they have been

there. They give you a little bit of something earlier in the season.

Revenge for you guys? I don't want to give them too many bullets before

we get there. They had a good side, they coach well, he is doing a great

job at there, some very good players brought in. I think it will be a

great finals day. April 16, put that one in your diaries.

And the day before it's the Pro12's regional showpiece.

Judgment Day is nearly here. Four regions, one in. One of the most

anticipated days in the calendar. Scrum V will be at the heart of it

all. But before the battle of wills, a battle of skills. Who came out on

top? All will be revealed soon. Judgment Day five on the way the day

before finals day at the principality stadium. A feast of

regional rugby to look forward to. 40,000 tickets sold already. They

are hoping for a sell-out for the first time. I guess that is the

closest thing you will get to international without it being

international. It has grown. There were sceptics to start with. They

wondered why we were taking their when they could have a full house at

the home ground. The faith of letting it go and market it how they

have done, it has been fantastic the last two, and everyone there has

enjoyed it. People are staying put the whole day not just to their

team. The final say the next day, it makes a good weekend in Cardiff. We

said every year but in the absence of trial matches, it is kind of

trials much when you have a Lions tour and Wales tour at the end of

it. Hopefully all the stars will be out, the main guys, and sometimes it

lacks players but it is great to have it at the stadium. I know in

England and they pushed the London double-header at the season. It is

good to have the focus and marketing to bring awareness up. Hopefully we

get people along to buy into it. Some people suggested that the

rivalries have softened since rugby has gone regional. They probably

haven't played in any! First and they're still very tasty, a lot of

players going for positions at international level and it is a good

chance to get one up on your opposing number. I have been to the

last couple and it is a really good day of rugby and everyone seems to

enjoy it. Why not get tickets to both occasions?

That to come, but let's return to this weekend.

And on Friday, the Scarlets were hoping to stay in the hunt

for the playoffs when they welcomed Edinburgh to Parc y Scarlets.

Lovely pass to patch and he is clean through. Rees patch all! On the way.

What a return for Patchell. He can go back and say a massive thank you

to that pass. Great turn of pace. That is what this guy can do. Hence

his ears back and he is gone. Good driving. They want to replicate

it. Samson Lee. Keeping it going. Didn't lose their shape at all.

Within striking distance now. There is the try line and there is the

try. It is Wayne Jones who has got it. Gets to ground. Lovely inside

Boulter Liam Williams from Parkes. Parkes, lovely pop-up, and James

Davis is straight through for a try number three. A lovely pass by the

Scarlets skipper and James Davies. Watch this pass.

Lovely pass, easy run-in for Burleigh. Simple ball and Edinburgh

get a free gift. There we are. La trajectory. Aled Davies with a

little chip over the top. Tom Brown comes into Stewart. Parkes floats it

out to Patchell. The Scarlets have done the job within 30 minutes. That

is the bonus point safe. Just watch. Jonathan Davies cousin, turnover,

easy run-in, good choice of pass. The first-half went pretty well,

accuracy more than anything. Second half we would be disappointed

looking at the video back because we didn't get much of what we wanted

out there in the second half. What an intriguing game of rugby. It

was the ultimate game of one half. I missed little bits of the first-half

when it was brilliant and the second half I really started watching it

and nothing much happened. A lot of the test players came off in the

second half and it seemed to take the steam away. They had already got

the bonus point so hiding to nothing as such but it was a shame because

you wanted to finish a game as you started but they got what they

wanted. With the Ospreys win away, banana skin, that is up -- a

potential banana skin as well. I spoke before the game about the

elevation of the Rees Patchell. Whether it was a gamble. But no

fear. Dan Jones has been playing really well and he is the guy to

take them through to the end of the season. I'm sure Patchell would

appreciate that. Hadley parks has been huge for them. Here's a carrier

but he has the ability to put other people into space. Patchell has been

working on his speed while he has been off. Hadley Parkes getting

another touch. Those two working really well and it would be

interesting to see where they go. Scott Wilson didn't play last night.

I think Parkes is crucial to how they operate. He has won McCallum

was man of the matches. One swallow does not make a summer in terms of

Patchell but we talked about Sam Davies starting for Wales in summer

but of Pajot continues that form is making a case.

He certainly has the potential. He has been unlucky over the last

couple of months. If he can put a run together of games, he will be

absolutely ecstatic with that. If he can put four or five games together,

he could go on that summer tour. It is whether you can play at 12. It

worked really well when he was at the Cardiff Blues. He is a powerful

guy. And I think with that kind of time and space, he could be really

good. This would be the time if you want to try and look at someone. The

Scarlets have plenty of centres but it could be an option for Wales. It

worked with Owen Farrell for England.

So onto the Blues, and they had the toughest

An away trip to league leaders Leinster.

Through the hands, into midfield. Josh Navidi stands up. A little

nudge through. Can Morgan get there? The bounce is favourable. But is a

great effort and it is the blindside, Dan Leavy. Not much space

to work with. They do exceptionally well. Good little inside ball to Rey

Lee-Lo. Has he got support? What a try this will be. It is the

scrum-half, Tomos Williams. Wide ball. Steps inside. Taken down

within five metres of the line. A little offload. Bent is over?

Referee can on the spot. Held up short. A little dart from scrum-half

Luke Brough -- Luke McGrath. They will go upstairs to the TMO. But for

me, that is a classic poaching scrum-half try. Good work by Gareth

Anscombe. Does exceptionally well. A good turn of pace from Kristian

Dacey. Great build-up, good work down that side and the scrum-half is

rewarded with his second try. The crowd suddenly getting behind the

home side. How did that ball come out the back door? The referee is

happy with that. An opportunity now. Rey Lee-Lo. Can he get rid of it?

Yes he can. This is an opportunity. He has only been on a few minutes

and he's going to go over for the try. Now, they go, hands on the ball

for Tracey with Ruddock. Now they go towards the line. Just a metre

short. They are over. The assistant referee right on the spot. I think

that is down. The try has been given. Josh Navidi straightening

things up. Has the opportunity to put him away. Good work. Tom James,

inside ball. Anybody to take it. Not able to do so. Ellis Jenkins is

there. Four metres short. Lloyd Williams fires the ball out. Morgan

looking to nudge it through. Has that gone forward? It comes down to

a little forward pass from Matthew Morgan. Trying to find Rey Lee-Lo.

Leinster are top of the table. Munster are into second, overtaking

the Ospreys. Ulster are the ones in the fourth play-off spot. The

Scarlets are three points behind them and they probably have the

slightly eighth easier run-in. The Cardiff Blues are still in

contention for a European play-off spot. That is one of the toughest

places to go, the showground and to come away with a bonus point, a

losing one, that is testament to how they paid out there. They were in a

position to win it and had opportunities to win it. Plenty to

praise in that performance yesterday. Not least their

willingness to counterattack from virtually anywhere. It is nice to

see. Not a lot of teams go there with confidence. Gareth Anscombe

very good, someone just spark the generator app and off he goes.

Flying down the wing. Rate pace by Kristian Dacey. Leinster are used to

having their own way out there. A bobbling ball and they are making

the most of some of these opportunities. Again, from deep and

off they go. Getting it through the hands. They are playing with

confidence. In a ground where the Leinster defence has been absolutely

unreal. I don't think anybody has had a bonus point all year. It was

little bits like that away from home at cost to the game. They still had

a chance. Alex Cuthbert, some big moments from him. I would love to

see him back with confidence. He takes so much stick. That is a

fantastic bit of skill. Nicky Robinson is the generator for him

doing that. That is the one and only kick. You are the man to talk about

this as well. We are hearing that Thomas Francis could be on the verge

of signing a national dual contract that will place him at the Cardiff

Blues. Apparently there is discussion about buying him out the

final year of his Exeter contract. Judging from how badly the scrum

creaked yesterday, they don't need a tighter Alleni Mor. Yes, get as many

as we can back playing in Wales. In a tight game away from home, you

need to be punching your weight on the front foot and they did

extremely well considering they were creaking all day. Getting James time

every week and it can only be a good thing for Welsh rugby and for him.

He will be in the goldfish bowl and the selectors will be watching.

Thomas Francis might be on his way and Gethin Jenkins made a

long-awaited return of the bench. From what I have been told, the

Lions have been monitoring his fitness. That is not surprising

really. It was disappointing with the bicep injury. He started the

season well for the Cardiff Blues. He has been really missed. His

presence on and off the pitch. He can offer a huge amount of

experience on Lions tours. And the way he is around the park. That is

what is needed out in New Zealand. The engine he has got. It is not

surprising. I am sure he is hoping to get a bit more rugby under his

belt. A big game against Gloucester on the weekend. And then see where

he is at the end of the season. He is a world-class player and I think

he just needs a run of games to get himself back to fitness and he will

certainly be in the squad. Alun Wyn Jones is out for six weeks.

Devastating for the Ospreys. But potentially good news for the liars

because it means he will have a chance to rest and recuperate a bit.

You have two force him to rest. He will play every minute of every game

if he can. So, yes, six weeks, freshen him right up and then you

will see an animal out there. Good man.

Now then, three years ago, Caris Bowen was diagnosed

with Hodgkins Lymphona and had to undergo intensive treatment.

Three years on, she's in remission, and has found a new lease of life

Red and yellow cards. I was 21 diagnosed. Back in 2013. I had no

idea what it was. My mother asked the question, what is the treatment

and the doctor replied, a heavy course of chemotherapy. That took me

back. I thought, chemotherapy, that means it's cancer. But knowing what

it was and then being able to do with it from them was better than

not knowing what was wrong because I was quite ill for a while before do

being diagnosed. At least then we knew then what it was and this is

what is good to happen and this is what we are going to do. I had to

fight and be strong and even on my lowest days to justify dancing, I

have to be here for my children. I love my mother so far -- so much

because she is very brave and independent and she puts us first

before anything. I think she is so great because she beat cancer and I

am really happy that she beat it. Hated sport. Did not like anything

to do with it. Very rarely wore trainers. During my treatment, on

the very hardest days, I felt very unwell. I would fight that. So I

would put my gym gear on and we would be going out for a walk. It

was those very hard days I felt like I wanted to fight the most. Since

being keyword, I wanted to remind myself of my strength on a daily

basis and what I am capable of, now I have my full health. I am healthy

and happy and I can do it now. So I want to do it. My nickname with

friends and family actually is Sergeant Major. You are in charge of

something and it is important to be further and strict but to make it

enjoyable. I have a way to be stern but again to gain respect at the

same time. Today's game is my second game on my own. I am not going to

pretend that I am the best or I know everything for a start because that

is far from the truth. It is just growing and learning as you go by

with the games. The assessor works with you closely to make sure you

know what you are doing. Forward pass. Forward, boys, OK? Sorry. Are

you OK? Everything happens for a reason. And I tell everybody I need,

if I have two cards, red, yellow cards, have the illness, or carry on

the way I was, I would run for that card to have had it all day because

it has made me a stronger person, motivated, what really matters in

life now is my health, my children and just to get as many people into

sport and into positive experiences and just a better outlook on life

altogether really. I should have warned you, that was a

bit of a tear-jerker. What a fantastic and uplifting story. That

is it for this week. My thanks to everyone. And as it is Mother's Day,

we thought we had better end with a special and personalised Mother's

Day message. This one is for you, Caris, from your two boys. My mother

gave me a yellow card which means I have to go to my bedroom. My mother

gave me a red card and I had to go to the shed. I love my mother

because she is very independent, brave, she puts us first before

anything. I love my mother because she really cares about me and she

buys the nice things. Happy Mother's Day.