30/04/2017 Scrum V

It was all smiles at the Liberty before kick-off, but there was

serious business at hand. Only a win would keep them in the hunt. Galway

was the destination for the Scarlets, where victory would

guarantee them a semifinal. Just the start that Scarlets wanted. It will

be a big game against Ospreys, a real humdinger. For the Blues, it

was all about momentum in their final home game of the season.

Defeat for the Dragons would condemn them to a whole season without a win

on the road. George North speaks to scrum five about New Zealand and the

man chosen to lead the Lions. Presumably he would be your pick?

Depends if he is watching. And we catch up with the man who suffered a

life changing injury in Afghanistan. All of a sudden there was a massive

explosion and I was drawn up on top of the vehicle. He has now

rediscovered his passion for rugby in the disability league.

Hello, welcome to Scrum V. We could be on the verge of league history.

Barring disaster we will have to welsh regions in the play-offs for

the first time since they were introduced. We will start with that

critical game of the Liberty Stadium between the Ospreys and Ulster.

That looks good, they will try to get a secondary squeeze if they can,

but they have dug in. That has got away. Touchdown. The

try has been given. The referee was playing advantage. He really did

take advantage. That was miscued slightly. Alan O'Connor, little

sidestep, into Bradley Davies. Jackson has given that a wall. Well

covered by Dan Evans. He is very quick. He has got away. That is poor

defending by Ulster. Magnificently done by the Ospreys. Although Ian,

it was the Canadian International. Ospreys are not resting on their

laurels, doing all they cancer to maybe snatch another try. -- doing

all they can to maybe snatch another try.

Hugo the Ospreys again, looking for a third try. And he gets one. And

after a hassle of Ulster pressure, the Ospreys have thrown off the

shackles, broken free, and the former All Black has made this game

were then secure. The Ulster side, play on, says the

referee. Ulster's captain has a goal himself, needs to keep his

composure. He has had good game. Ulster get a try here.

You have to be prepared. We needed to be clear on how we wanted to

play. It is a massive points difference, but also have some

firepower at paint. It is something that we have got to be really

focused and ultimately worked hard to win the game.

They brought the losing streak to an end. By doing so, they showed that

when they really need to find that inner steel they managed it.

Yes, Ulster were flat, you can see the pressure they were under from

another run of defeats, but they were very clinical when the

opportunities came. A good result to get them back up and running. You

mentioned clinical, their attack was maybe not as fluent as we're used

to, but they took their chances. I hope that he has an injury free

run now, because he spends into the tackle and it is a brilliant

off-load. He turned it into a brilliant try, I hope that Beck has

a good run. This was the turning point. Dan Evans, what a great game,

just picks it up. That is poor defence, but it is brilliant

support. That was just before half-time. That was the turning

point for me. There's a lot of pressure in the second half, Ulster.

But to lose that Troy, that was absolutely crucial.

Picking up on Jonathan's pointed out attitude, it was much tighter today,

they did get cut a few times but get student scrambling back was

exemplary. That is what stood out for me. The last three or four mag

games they have not been like the Ospreys on the way that they have

played. They seemed more desperate, and they were far from perfect

yesterday defensively and there were many line breaks, but the attitude

from all of the Ospreys boys to get back, just look at this, early on in

the game, good line break, good build-up play stirrer. But look at

many numbers that they have got back compared to the white jerseys? You

only had to give him a split second, he was superb again. Again, it was

poor first face defence. But look at the numbers getting back. Get in

front of the support runners from Ulster, and then they work in the

contact area, that was superb. It epitomises it from me. Line break

again, legal or illegal I am not too sure. When you have a winner doing

that, it makes such a difference to the rest of the team. They are a

little bit hungrier and more desperate. The game is won at this

stage, it is that energy and hunger to make the title, get back on your

feet and when the ball. We mentioned judgment team Dominic Day, they were

blown away. -- we mentioned judgment today, they were blown away. It is a

big game, Ulster. We had Leinster a couple of weeks ago. As a player,

you want a full house. The atmosphere is better, you play

better. The Ospreys need to look at what is going on down there. The

press officers and the marketing need to look at themselves and maybe

put somebody in who's going to get interest going. That kind of match

and sage deserves a bigger attendance. We will discuss that

final later on. There was an interesting partnership

on the flanks. It was a smaller back row compared to the Ulster back row,

but they were so much quicker on the field. Underhill was outstanding,

dynamic and really quick. They were just a yard sharper yesterday all

afternoon. The Ospreys, with that result, have one foot in the

play-offs. But Ulster still mathematically have a chance, but it

will take a miracle if they are to get there. The Scarlets then

travelled to Galway yesterday knowing that victory would put them

in the semifinals with one range to spear.

-- one round to spare. Good work, Evans. An opportunity

now. Did not need it. He will go all the way, after great work from

Evans, and just the start that Scarlets wanted.

This is better from the Scarlets, can they capitalise the posts? Wide

no-ball. Evans goes over for a second try.

Good work from John Davies. He off-loads. Ken Owens once again,

does well, stays on his feet, places the ball. The off-load from Evans.

Inside. Evans's second try. That could be one of the tries of the

season. Rob Evans, from his namesake Jonathan. Good build-up play.

A great off-load. He's got two tries, perfect off-load this time to

the other winger, Liam Williams. All Halloran finds Farrell. Farrell on

the far side. Davis. This is where he is

dangerous. So quick. There he goes. Outside the back row. Simple pass,

into the hands. Replacement scrum-half Gareth Davies.

We will enjoy the fact that we have qualified now with the range to go.

It was not looking too good, so it has been a great fightback for the

guys and they have been consistent over the last 18 matches. Very

pleased to have achieved that goal, and now we can get ready for next

week. 16 wins in 18 games. They have been

a joy to watch so far this season. Yesterday they were utterly

ruthless. They kept the ball in hand in the

first hour. There was weak defence on the flanks for Connacht. They

certainly exploited that. That is what confidence does. The support

play was good, they blew them away in the first-half. I do not want to

sound cliched, but always a tough place to go. To score your four try

bonus point, with the wind against you, that takes some doing. I love

watching the Scarlets because there were some really intricate moves.

Given the 50-50 pass, off-load, it is high risk, high reward. Too often

in the modern game, coaches are telling people to hold onto the

ball, do not get the 50-50. They have a good defensive set. A couple

of passes, not great passes. That is a little bit behind. They have got

bags of talent, pace and power in the support lines. They are all

comfortable on the ball. All of the forwards, I'm sure that the practice

that a lot in training as well. It was Pat Lam's last day yesterday.

The front five have the ball in this clip. The two front row players

involved. As Martin says, they have just developed this game now.

Everyone is included, does not matter if they are centre, a

forward, they are all the. The fling with a lot of confidence. It is

just... It is when you're winning and when you're playing, and I do

think that if you are playing often, people say, they are playing too

many games, if you notice players playing exceptionally well, it is

because they are playing every game, confident. They come forward each

other. You need freedom from cultures as

well. On some of those 50-50 is there, the players would not be

trying them if they would be pulled up on Monday. The coaches must be

telling them to express themselves. They're not the biggest or most

powerful of teams, but they are the leading to watch. Be in controlled

the ball is the Kiwi blueprints was no surprise that it is a Kiwi. You

can carry passengers and today's game. If you look at the New Zealand

players, they are playing exceptionally well. I've was at a

conference, if you are a centre, you know you will get a good pass off

the front five. And professional player should have the ability and

work on the ability to give and take a pass and run into space, so it is

nice to see. Rob Evans has had a phenomenal seasons, but I think an

especially in the last couple of games in the Six Nations was immense

and he is kept at foregoing. Briefly Martyn, belief is coming through

now. They could deal with the late withdrawal of John Barclay yesterday

without seem bother. Is James Davies who has probably been there best

player but Will Boyde came in and was outstanding. Ken Olins, so

they've got some real strength in depth here. Evans was on a bench

yesterday, Van der Merwe who would walk into most sides. The creators

in depth there are so it's exciting times for the Scarlets. Critical

whisper the Scarlets and Ospreys ahead of the final round of the

regular season. Leinster we know have already qualified for the

semifinals. Could they retain top seeding this weekend? Munster needed

one more point to join them in the top two. Let's find out how they got

on. There was a real face slap of a

match in Dublin as Leinster look to consolidate their status as top dogs

of the regular season. They were first out of the blocks with this

try by Ryan. There was then an historic score by all clone. His

counter into the corner was the 652nd try in the games brought one

of the season, a condition record. Glasgow made a real fist of it in

the second half with three tries of their own. This one by Finn Russell

put them in the lead. But with six minutes left, Julie Carberry's

penalty put Leinster back in front. Just before the death, it was

shilling in the meter time as the lights failed, leaving fans to make

their own fun. But certainly, no one is left in the dark about Leinster's

championship credentials. Munster are the other team with a home

play-off tie. They enjoyed a regulation bonus try point in

Treviso. Two of the tries came in the first tab including the straw

through the post for full-back Simon Zabel. This was the bonus point

score, eight Jack O'Donoghue on the end of a no one in particular pass

to sprint clear and score under the posts. And it will take a cup

performance to tackle Munster in the play-offs. Just to confirm then,

Leinster and Munster will be at home for the semifinals although Munster

could still usurp Leinster as top seeds. The semifinals although

Munster could still usurp Leinster as top seeds. This ballots have got

their spot and will travel to either Dublin or Limerick. The Ospreys need

just one point from their game against the Scarlets next week. Also

need a bonus point against Leinster to stand any chance of sneaking in

at the Ospreys' expense. One thing we can guarantee is that

next week's derby is going to be less tense than we thought,

especially from the Scarlets' point of view. Yes, but they both will won

this week and I think it is just keeping that momentum going now. I

think that is key. Wherever they go, it'll be a tough, tough game, see a

unique to the momentum going. It is a showpiece game, so hopefully

everyone will go and watch it. Create a great atmosphere and it

will be a great day out, but I think if you are playing for one of the

other sides come at you desperately want to win that local derby and

just to keep that form going, keep momentum going and keep it into the

semifinal. That is critical, isn't it? You could argue playing devils

advocate that the Scarlets have nothing to gain by winning this game

but if they roost the Ospreys men have to travel to Munster Leinster,

that will knock their confidence. It's true though, isn't it? Momentum

is everything and to lose to your nearest rivals, like you say with

the semifinal is not ideal, so both teams should go fully loaded. There

are little injuries and the likes, but you need to carry the momentum

and the Scarlets in particular have a good run under their belts. It is

a home fixture for them. They don't like each other, the Scarlets and

Ospreys. I was hearing that if you are playing well, your confidence is

high, you just keep it going now and just enjoy the game and enjoy the

game. They have a week off after because there is two weeks before

the semifinal sure they should be enough to be belting game because

there is a lot online personally and collectively as well, so it should

be a humdinger next week. And you can watch every minute of it here on

Scrum V live. That game is ours and start at 5:05pm. Club rugby on S4

season have the derby played in Finland. That's all next week.

Let's talk about the Lions. It was a week ago last Wednesday that the

squad was announced. 41 players just 15 of them have experienced the

lines before. The rest of them, it is a totally new experience. One of

the guys who has been there and done it is North and he is most pundits's

favourites to start on one of the wings but he is taking nothing for

granted. I can't up with him in London earlier this week. -- I

caught up with him in London. To be selected is amazing. You know, a

real honour again to go on tour and hopefully I can get some game time

as well. This season has been particularly strange in the sense of

up and down. A few injuries along the way so it has been a difficult

one for me. Obviously, I had a bit of form leading to the Six Nations

and carried it through which is good, so I felt I could give myself

a chance and that's all you really want. That game against Ireland, how

satisfying was that, to silence the critics? The most press is

particularly pointy sometimes, so it was brilliant to find that I could

go back to the form I know I can play and really kick on. North is

back with a vengeance! Do you think Wales are fortunate to have 12 in

their squad or do you think that is about right? The players they have

picked, in the Six Nations I think they really shone. They showed real

glances of what they could did do and I think that performance really

shows when we are in from the heart. You are there for a reason, to do a

job. I think especially the back three he has picked shows a real

mixture of speed, physicality, a skill set, work great and it's all

there. It's not the ability to play in your position that the ability to

play into or maybe three positions as well. Somewhere Britain captain.

He needed a change in the Six Nations. It was better for himself

over the team to understand and do his role. The Six Nations, he is one

of the performers. Really chuffed for him to be captain for a second

time. Do you think you can win? Yet, for sure. There is good quality in

the squad and that shows what he wants to play, how he wants to play

and I think toe to toe, it's going to go well. Once we all understand

how he wants to play and then once we buy into that, we have those

games are not what we need to, focus on those three test to hit it hard.

Are you excited? I am very excited, yes. I think we all are, to be fair.

The Lions' tour just weeks away now. George North as the stats showed

there is the incumbent wing for the Alliance. He doesn't an absolute

wonder try in the first test. A bit of rugby to be played first but he

is your test RW? You can't pick a test team now. The way players are

going, if he plays well, he's got everything. He's quick, powerful, it

great finisher, good pedigree finisher. Hoping if he hits for then

he's guaranteed a test place, but the form he is in now he's been

picked, you're so many games in for it and so getting the combination of

the midfield, the half-backs, the back three, the back row is a great

position to fight for, so those three Test matches are going to be

very, very interesting on form and combinations. It is worth putting a

hand up for that happens no one put their hand up more emphatically than

Faletau today, he scored a hat-trick. I think some people

question him being selected which is ridiculous, he is world-class, he

really is. To keep him out... I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up

with six and Vunipola at eight. I think that is something they would

look at. He has all the skills, Faletau, so a real bonus for the

Lions that he is fit. That sells a good back row. Graham Henry

described the itinerary as suicidal and he is not the only one to

criticise the brutal schedule. Sam Warburton said he is relishing the

fact there are so many tough games because it will make the team battle

hardened head of the test as opposed to battle wearies, but as Martyn

knows all too well, though Super Rugby games, people will want stick

a big chunk. It will make it interesting for everyone. The player

selection, the public will be watching, the travelling

supporters... To go there and play the best sides and play against the

best Kiwis, it is going to battle hardened them and there's going to

be a lot of wheels turning over there, the players will be staying

fit, players who have missed out may get the opportunity. People will say

there are a Welshman in there, but I think Gatland, if it was a 50-50

call, because Gatland knows those Welsh players better than opposition

players, then maybe they will get the lucky call. But for me, if you

look at people like Dan Biggar and Moriarty, the character that they

have, they will try their utmost to get into that test size but gallant

and his fellow management know then that those are the boys, they don't

want to be second fiddle, they want to Windows Test matches. I think it

is tough. You are not going to play in every match before the Test

matches. You will maybe get to opportunities, maybe three to stick

your first test. You need to say on tour and even if you are not

selected, you have to push everything in training. Gallant as a

coach who looks at training as much as how well you play. They have

learned from previous tours. In all five, you knew instantly who was in

the test and they got it right in the last two tours. We could talk

about this all day but we have other stuff to get on with. Let's move

effects of April 12 in the Blues were hoping to follow their

performance on Judgment Day with a big win over zebra.

COMMENTATOR: Over to cook. Lovely ball to Nick Williams. Great pop.

Jenkins. Ali outside. That is a superb try. Some fabulous off-loads

from the back row boys. There was another chance. Hell on the outside.

Great pace from Summerhill. Last man, what a finish. What a finish

from Alex Summerhill. Interesting situation this one. Great scrum.

Last time they went down again, the Blues. Penalty to Zebre. Queueing up

outside it. Running around on the outside, ready, and that is

something that will leave the Blues livid. They wanted to make a

substitution and now they will have to go down to 14 men. They are going

to be absolutely furious, I can tell. And this time, no doubt from

Frank Murphy as the Blues continue to fold under pressure from the

Zebre scrum, it is straight underneath the post for a penalty

try. Here we are, that clears it. Because

of the penalty. In trouble. And the Blues have got a totally unexpected

try. Thomas Williams, well, that is an absolute gift. Great work by

Thomas Williams. Thomas Williams goes one way then the other. Friends

of! Was an individual scorer from Thomas Williams. In comes Nick

Williams... Doesn't go that on this first attempt. Skips up and got it.

Playing advantage at the moment. Blues still at 14 men, remember, as

they come round the corner. And over they go. The try is raining in at

the moment. REFEREE: You have entered into that

tackle using no arms. It's a yellow card, OK? You have seen the footage.

That is not acceptable, it's a punch in the face. It's a straight red.

Waiting. Looking for a secondary drive and it is not coming. It is

coming from the Blues. Excellent goals. Get set, this time... Yes, he

does. Credit to them, they came back,

stuck in there, deserved a point. We had some youngsters, very young kids

at the top end of air Academy that have got an opportunity tonight.

Ultimately as a team, second half, and probably when we made a few

changes, we struggled. A scruffy performance overall from

the Blues, but he also names of individuals that did have

encouraging displayed, not to mention the man of the match, Tomos

Williams. I was gutted for him, cannot imagine what he was feeling

when that wonder try was disallowed. It is a brilliant try. Spots the

short side, nobody there. People should use this more often, dummy

kick, because the players are turning. Brilliant dive to finish.

And fortunately there is a knock-on, so that is what you have got to do,

heads down, back yourself, dummy kick, step of the right, pace,

brilliant dive to finish. That is it. We will not see that ever again!

It will be on his YouTube show real. On his! It will be on his phone,

maybe. That is what happens. That is reality for you.

Do you think he is a contender for the summer tour? If it is a

development tour, he is exactly the kind of player of you want to see

what he can did the next level. I think so. You know what like candy.

Is it worth bringing somebody in that you have not seen? You still

have to remember you are representing Wales, you cannot take

too many youngsters because they are going to be very physical encounters

and those two games. But there is an opportunity to try some of these

youngsters. It is the right balance you need when he squad.

Plenty of good sevens formic braids to choose from. Is Evans top of the

Pelle? Jenkins is top of the pile. He is incredibly fit, you get over

the ball as well as any seven. He is the only new caps for Wales since

the 2015 World Cup. Like you say, all of these clips, he can carry, he

can do everything. We have some any good sevens at the moment, Thomas

Young in Wasps, great thinking players as well. Our top two Max

Evans or are we in New Zealand with the Lions. -- are top to sevens.

Leigh Griffiths is coming through as well. But I think Ellis Jenkins is a

leader as well. He has been made captain from a young age and so I

think he will definitely be playing in the summer for Wales. One area

they struggle with his upfront, particularly the front row. Thomas

Francis, the Blues were hoping to bring him next season as part of a

contract deal with the WRU. That is voluntary and he is staying at

Exeter. They were not willing to pay the transfer fee. They will have to

find somebody to plug the gap. Moving on to the Dragons, they were

facing fellow strugglers Edinburgh on the weekend and they were hoping

for an elusive away win, something they have not managed for more than

a calendar year. For the Dragons it was a last chance

for a first away win of the season. For much of the matching looked very

much to beyond. This helps the Dragons into a 10-3 into the lead.

After the break, a neat Stanford glance by Jack Dixon. Call me was

able to stroll over unopposed. First, Dragons's old boy sent this

man over. Then he created again. This path opened it up for Damien

Highland to go over for the hosts's second try. And then with a couple

of minutes left, Edinburgh went for the win, and the plunged over,

leaving the Dragons to clutch defeat from the drawers of victory -- jaws

of victory. Connacht, in needs, they will play

the seven placed team in the Aviva Premiership. The winner of both ties

will then play off. The Dragons could end up finishing 11, because

of the Italian Derby which will condemn Dragons to 11 domestic and

win against the Blues. Nor are we wins for more than a calendar year,

sorry statistic. It is a poor statistic and a difficult season for

them. They need the decision at the AGM. Hopefully common-sense will

prevail and the right decision will be made. That date is looming large

now for Dragons fans and anyone with an interest in the region.

Moving on to something different, Darren Carew suffered a life

changing injury ten years ago in Afghanistan, it brought to an end

his military career. Recently he has joined forces with WRU and pioneered

a scheme to help children with disabilities.

I was out on patrol in Afghanistan. When all of a sudden there was this

massive explosion and I was thrown up into the top corner of the

vehicle. The dust, it is in your eyes, mouth, ears, you cannot see

anything initially from the explosion. You can taste blood in

your mouth. Slowly but surely, the dust starts to settle and you wake

up out of that into a different world. First thing you hear our

screens. Two of my team members were pretty seriously injured. I felt a

bit of discomfort in my left leg, but I was more focused on just

trying to get my team back to safety.

Darren sustained multiple injuries to his left leg but left in pain for

four years before finally opting for amputation. I am better with my leg

off. I was a slave to medication. Now I do not take anything, I'm able

to fully participate, I am a father and a husband again, I am me again.

Darren Carew returned to rugby as a way of coping with poster Matic

stress disorder, and has now taken to helping children with

disabilities. When I spoke to teachers originally back when I

first started thinking about this a few years ago there was nothing

there for these children. What we are looking for our little passes. I

developed this programme. We go into schools once a week over a four or

five week period, giving them a one-hour session, completely

tailored to this environment. Then we get all of the schools that

participate together and we finish up with a festival. It is a massive

confidence builder for the kids. You have to run forward and touch

the person in front of you on the shoulder.

After that we set up a community club in the local area so that the

children that have gone to that can continue playing. What has the

feedback been like from the children themselves so far? It has been

fantastic. I can remember speaking to a group of the kids at one of the

first festival is that I ran. I said, who is your favourite Welsh

rugby player? They said, you are. I said, who is your favourite Ospreys

player? He said, youth. It just goes to show, they buy into it. It works

both ways, I enjoy it as much as they do. If ICT hot floor, I want

you to imagine that the Flores like liquid hot lava. When I started

talking to Ryan Jones about my role, I said that I'm used to making a

difference and I feel that genuinely I make a difference when I run these

sessions. The children are amazing, they make my life so much easier. It

fills me with confidence. Because of PTSD and other things, I was full of

self-doubt. When I finish these sessions, I am always on top of the

world. I love what I do. What a brilliant

story. Brilliant stuff from Darren Carew.

In the Premiership, the race for the title is set for a dramatic

conclusion. We have all of the action from the final round of

fixtures. At the top of the table clash,

Merthyr were victorious. Pat Lewis scored all of the three tries before

the late Richard Powell penalty sealed the win. Bedwas on now in

second place. The champions will not be in the play-offs after their

defeat. There was the satisfaction of this so will splendid score by

their fly-half. The chief beneficiaries of that

failure were RGC, who won with a bonus point at home. This was one of

two TRANSLATION:. It means that the last semifinal

place will be decided next week. The compelling game in Tier two saw

Bridgend's play-off hopes remain bubbling. And the table says that it

is any three from four to join Newport in the play-offs.

Thank you. We have about one minute left, so we will return to super

Saturday. Next week, Scarlets against Ospreys. We said that the

Scarlets technically have nothing to play for, but they will surely go

hell for leather. Probably the former Welsh team in the league, do

you see them winning at home? I think the confidence is high. It is

going to be close, because the Ospreys have clearly rediscovered

their more jaw after that miserable run of four defeats. They are

beginning to look like the team that we know that they are capable of

being. It is difficult to predict without knowing what teams that will

be picked, but I tend to think as well that with the home advantage

the Scarlets might just get that one. I hope that it is a great

finish to the Pro12 fixture list. It is a big game for both regions, I

hope there is a big crowd there. 15,000 is the capacity. Hopefully it

will be a sell-out. That is all that we have time for on Scrum V this

evening. Hope you enjoy new -- hope you can join as on Saturday. What

better way to end the season then with a humdinger of a West Wales

derby between Ospreys and the Scarlets. We will be there. Hope to

see you soon. Explorer Alice Morrison is taking

an epic 2,000-mile trek across the Sahara,

over the Atlas Mountains... ..and through ancient history.

I love touching history. It'll be tough.

He's just cut a bit of the heart.