29/10/2017 Scrum V

Good evening, tonight we are coming

at you live from the home of the

Cockrell is otherwise known as

Croesyceiliog RFC. The clubhouses

packed and we have been promised a

warm welcome so let's get inside.

The high-flying Scarlets.

The high-flying Scarlets. Warren

Gatland has mixed it up ahead of the

autumn with the bold is squad

selection and we find it what

happens when Gavin met Jonathan.

Did

you ever see me play?

I did. Not

even any mud on him, look at him!

CHEERING

APPLAUSE

Hello and welcome. We are deep in

the heart of the Dragons region, we

have an all-star cast this evening,

which hands together for Sean

Holley. Eddie Butler! And Welsh

international Alan Amos! And over

there a number of his Dragons

colleagues are here as well.

Lots of guests, lots to get through

tonight on another jam-packed

programme but we will start with the

rough guide to Croesyceiliog.

Croesyceiliog is Welsh for Cockrell

's cross. I wonder who ruffled his

feathers. The third features on the

club crest and gives the team their

name. By the ground is a pub where

back in 1839 Willian Jones and his

Eastern Valley chartist stopped to

dry gunpowder on the march to...

INAUDIBLE

The most famous son was Frank Clive

Burgess. He went on to play and win

nine Welsh caps. He was also known

as the steal claw and on the rare

occasion he went then entered it is

said they turned to a welder rather

than a surgeon. Finally, anorak on

one of EU funds of 80s music... Did

you know the front went to

Croesyceiliog school so too did Adam

Hughes and David buttress but they

were not in that band.

CHEERING

APPLAUSE

Can always rely members

let's remind ourselves what happened

on Friday night when these guys took

on Ospreys.

COMMENTATOR: Back to Dan Biggar.

Watkin. Again...

Slow ball, space outside, trying to

run it out, eventually got the ball

down. Thomas sets it up, tries to

borrow over himself.

Still within centimetres, now the

captain, to Leon Brown. Uses all his

bulk and gets over. What a reply

from the Dragons. Here they go deep

into Dragons territory. Turn the

ball over, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan

Biggar, they work it clear.

Cory Hill...

Cory Hill...

Look how close it is, I think it's

on the line.

I think that to try.

It

is, he gets the scorer. Alun Wyn

Jones winning it. Now is the

touchline is approaching, stays on

his feet very well indeed. Has the

experience. Now the forwards gather

around and they plough over and it's

Brendan line and I think who is

right in the middle. Amongst all the

big men it's the scrum-half who

claims it.

Cannot quite reach out.

As it was the first half, relentless

from Ospreys. Dan Biggar. Runs into

Henson who stands his ground with

the help of Jack Brooks on. Must be

gaps wages feel. Tries to go route

one.

Over last couple of weeks but it was

very important we got that win and

luckily we got a bonus point to its

pleasing.

I thought we were really

brave, I admire the players, I think

our fitness is getting better,

players out with injury but Ospreys

are very good side and deserved to

win but I think we are showing of

progress.

Apologies we seem to be

having some trouble with our

pictures tonight,

having some trouble with our

pictures tonight, hope it's not

ruining your enjoyment of the

programme. Commiserations on the

defeat, 28-14, on a personal level

in front of watching Warren Gatland,

and 89 metres, looking dangerous at

full-back, you made twice as many

metres as anyone the pitch.

It is

easy from full-back, easy metres

when you catch kick. It was a tough

game, they have experienced

campaigners, Dan Biggar ran the show

and Alun Wyn Jones had a great game.

We just need to start turning defeat

into victories.

Get close to the line using the big

forward carriers like the Ospreys

and Dragons, here we have a ball

carrying forward, the ladies of

Croesyceiliog RFC, person on the

outside to create two versus one,

extra momentum to the rushed across

the line. If they don't get to the

line and there is defensive about

this clean out the person will

literally try to tackle past the

ruck. To the ground, creating a

long, clean which makes it very

difficult for the defence to fold

round. With such close attack or

defence gets really close to the

ruck and sometimes we don't have a

scrum-half, here he is caught up so

the forward comes in. This time has

a ball carrier, Becky becomes the

latch. She latches on creating the

mismatch and two on one again. Some

of the smarter teams like Scarlets

now that the defence gets close to

the ruck, condense the space on the

outside. They use the likes of

Hadleigh Parkes Scott Williams, the

three forwards look like...

Close to the line to score in the

22.

You were in the commentary box

on Friday night, some of the stuff

you picked up on, you said at the

time, Ospreys will be happy to bring

to an end the seven-game losing

sequence and the won handsomely on

the night, still a lot to work on.

They are not playing well, we should

bat with the ladies. Even close to

the line they struggled with the

organisation. Playing in one mac and

two, they do not seem to know or

have a plan, not just close to the

line but the deep attack as well.

Got over the line four times but

other things contributed. I still

think they have a long way to go.

In

terms of the Dragons, a day, your

home region, it's been a bit of

late. -- it's been a bit of a

revolution of late.

Desperate for a result, not caring

about the performance. The Dragons.

It will not last that long, it's

-based injury but as but as long as

the tempo increases, the awareness

of players and what they are doing,

so far the signs are really

encouraging. Has it changed

noticeably for you, you have been

never a good few years, do things

feel differently?

Burner has come in

and related his mark on things. He's

very disciplined and knows what he

wants. There are a lot of young

players at the club, as you see with

the boys here, we are all quite

young, having Sunday like Bernard

Pierce, the likes of Gavin coming

in, it's been really good, you can

see the change in atmosphere.

One

thing which struck us all watching

the game was the number of tackles

you had to make, somewhere in the

260, a lot of which made in that

first 20, 30 minutes. Making that

many tackles and defending that hard

you going to get tired.

Yeah, I kind

of stand back and don't make many

myself but the board that in a hell

of a shift. To make 100 tackles is a

bit obscene in that amount of time.

Things will break down towards the

end but I thought the effort they

showed was amazing.

Going back to

Ospreys, what is it specifically

about their attack at the moment

which is failing to spark?

They have

a lot of possession but struggled to

score. Yesterday got four, a lot of

possession and phases but lacking

ball-carriers. Even close to the

line, they have the latch we were

describing, they do not seem to have

a plan, they are using brute force

and eventually muscling over after

many phases. But most of the good

teams will have a structure. There

are signs, they have got carriers

outside, Dan Biggar, Olly Cracknell.

They change the picture, short side,

good angle and they get in behind.

This allows them to form some

attack. They don't often get two

centres together. When they do deal

with dangerous. This manifested

itself in a bit more space on the

outside for that OOglies. Generally

they struggled. -- that a try.

Cracknell carries more than any

other Ospreys player but there is

nothing outside Dan Biggar. It's

Nicky Smith, all but one note and

note and individual and frankly easy

to defend. Again the principal

ball-carrier,

to defend. Again the principal

ball-carrier, not the balance of

carriers, when they come to

attacking on the 20 to look at the

left Dan Evans, only two Baxter

strike, nobody

left Dan Evans, only two Baxter

strike, nobody else out here. They

have got a long way to go. The

coaches and players need to get on

page and construct far more try

scoring opportunities than they are.

By way of contrast, we know they

were beaten well on the night but

being modest, part of a backline

which is beginning to gel. Some

youngsters in that line showing real

signs of promise.

Yes, Gavin is a

big part of that, the way he flows

and moves is really good

big part of that, the way he flows

and moves is really good and these

young boys are starting to learn how

to play-off him. I still think they

need a bit of control from number

nine if I am honest but getting the

blindside wing in and the early

defence, the movement was key. They

get Ashton and Ross and people like

that in one-on-one and that is what

you want. Look at the movement of

Gavin. Get it into the hands early

and he's got a chance of a

one-on-one and that is what these

young players, that is what they

want. We talked about close to the

line. You want mismatches. As much

as I will applaud Leon, he is up

against Sam Davies and there is only

one winner. The strike rate at the

moment is far better than it has

been in recent

moment is far better than it has

been in recent seasons.

Nothing

better for a tight head prop than to

look up and see a reserve full-back

in front of you. We talked about the

exciting backs at the Dragons but

some grizzled forwards coming

through as well.

The old days of

relying on one facet of play, an

enormous forward pack are long gone.

We have do have, you have to be able

to attack on many fronts. I suppose

the frustration for Ospreys is the

backed up the game against Saracens

where they did look full of menace,

the thrust of old, and you go back

to a more startling thing. It's the

search for consistency. It strikes

me who is on page at the Dragons

seem to have a plan everybody knows

and is prepared to follow.

Is there

a feeling this season is almost an

experiment are you? You don't have

do pursue those results, you can see

how the vision is bedding in? There

is not that pressure you get every

year?

I am not sure about that,

maybe from the coach point of view

but as players we go out and want to

win and do everything we can every

week. We are targeting the home

games more, we go into each home

game in the week leading up to it as

our test week and we worked really

hard to get the results. Possibly

away from home, going to the Ospreys

is always a tough place and there

are a few years denying in terms of

the developments going there and

putting in an improved performance

was definitely a thing for us.

Talked already about Gavin Henson

keeping the backline taking, former

Ospreys back to his old stomping

ground on Friday, he's been a bit

elusive of the field since his

arrival but we tracked him down in

the week and Jonathan Davies went

for coffee and

What a moment Fredd Young Gavin

Henson of Swansea.

The potential to

be world-class.

I always wanted to come back to

Wales. To finish off where I

started. Got in touch with me last

season and wanted me to come across.

But then he went. But I was still

glad to come back to Wales on a

high.

You seem to be enjoying it?

Yeah, Bernard coming in with his new

strategy and it just feels her new

place for everyone.

What is he like

as a coach?

He is intense. Big-time.

That's what I need and what I like

as a player. We are on edge every

day, every day. Good environment to

learn, still great for me.

Let's go

back to the start, the year 2000, 18

years old. Do you remember your

first first-class game?

It was a bit

random.

I was thinking that.

I had

just left school. I had to go and

help.

Such a thrill for this young

man. Went to a famous rugby nursery

down in Wales.

I cannot believe I've

played for them. Felt like I played

well, had a half and they came me

off which I was not happy about. It

someday called Stephen Jones on at

the time.

I wonder how he did?

Did

not quite work because they wanted

me to play in the under 21 and I was

full of self belief and arrogance

back then, thought I was good enough

to be in the first team.

You went

and played for Swansea.

Probably my

best time in rugby, that first

season with Swansea. When amazing,

won the league. I featured quite a

bit. And one of my best coaches. I

love the way he was. One of those

guys you wanted to play for. He got

the best out of me. Then the new

thing started with the Ospreys and

it was great to work with Lyn Jones.

Heard a lot about him.

What is he

like day-to-day? I played with him

so I only saw him three week and

that was enough.

You could not wait

to get into meetings, he was like a

stand-up. Nobody went to sleep. So

funny but so intelligent as well.

Knows the game inside out. Another

coach he just wanted to play for.

Ospreys a huge part of Wales, making

somebody ate the last Grand Slam

then you were involved in 2005. The

one game you came to the fore was

the England game with the tackle and

then the kick.

If you kick this he

can shave whatever part of the body

he wants.

Whatever I watch on the

Internet, I am more nervous then

than I was.

Fantastic.

After that

game it went a bit crazy. It was

hard to live up to that, at that

level of performance. I have always

been trying to get back to that.

Martyn Williams told me you were the

most talented player he ever played

with and he played with some legends

of the game. Do you feel sometimes

you maybe should have achieved more

in a Welsh Jersey and the regional

setup because of your talent?

I do

think that. But not so much about my

ability, it's everything else,

trying to manage. The body, I did

not know much about that. I kept

breaking down. To be fair the physio

were not as good as they are now.

That's part of the reason I took

time out the game. To have a break

and learn about my body and find the

best physios and work things out for

myself. I think that's how prolonged

my career.

Unfortunately you missed

out on the biggest stage, the Rugby

World Cup, because of injury.

Yeah,

mostly injury, the biggest part was

the 2003, that hurt with Steve

Hansen. He was asking me to do

things and I was doing things and he

cut me at the last second, I didn't

like it. I am gutted I missed that

one. The other ones, a bit of form,

2007 not great that year. 2011 I

broke my wrist in the final warm up

game against England.

How did you

recover?

It was tough, took a while

to get over that one.

When I said we

were coming to interview you

everyone said they wanted interview

use or the was amazing. I have got

questions asked, biggest regret?

Probably not having a go at rugby

league.

Is it?

I used to watch it a

lot, so much I wanted to play it.

But I decided not to. I think I

would have enjoyed it and learned a

lot from the game if I was to go on

to coach at the rugby, it would be

nice to have.

Stupid question, did

you ever see me play?

I did.

I

played against your dad. That's how

long ago it is.

My old man said

watch a goodly number ten is. And I

would come on the field after and he

would have me as you were going

through, he said look, not even any

mud on him. I think that got in my

head because I was major I looked

great.

I am glad I had some effect

the new!

Fascinating stuff, much longer

version of that interview online if

you want to see that on the website.

We are playing musical chairs. The

Dragons chief executive Gerry Davis

joins us.

-- Stewart Davis.

Former all Whites player yourself,

Gavin Henson so honest and candid,

is he the most ministers --

misunderstood man in rugby?

When he

came to Dragons, I met with him just

to find it where his head was that,

how his body was and why he wanted

to come to us. Once we were able to

put it out there you realised how

much interest there was about Gavin

returning to rugby and coming to

Dragons he has been wonderful. Bums

on seats and so much interest.

Controlling things for us, doing

everything he said he wanted to do

when he came back. The influence on

the younger players. Huge

conversation point. In terms of

where these misunderstood are not

there is loads of interest. It's

tremendously important in terms of

the Dragons and the Welsh game.

A

ruck star when you're commenting on

that game in 2005 and he landed that

kick, still a rock star, of the

international scene for years but

still arguably the most marketable

man in Welsh rugby.

He is a true

one-off. I think it is good that

somebody who is so strange has a

place. It's a great advert for going

away, seeing other parts of the

world and coming back and giving

something back. 12 years since that

kick and he still playing. For me he

is still owed in what he does on the

field but it's so positive. I think

he's a great advert for the game.

Just talking to the current players,

it seems they feel the same way.

You

have coached him, know him well, how

has he changed as a player? Honestly

lost pace.

I played with his dad so

I have known him a long time and

worked with him at Ospreys and

Bristol. He's a pleasure to work

with. The boys love him wherever he

goes. He's a real character, cheeky

chappie. But I have never worked

with anyone with so much time on the

ball, his technical ability, his

tactical appreciation, he loves the

game. He understands it and gets

frustrated when other people don't

see it like him.

He not only does

his stuff in attack, he led the

defence in the Welsh Grand Slam.

All

aspects of the game, high ball,

distribution, tackle.

And he's

pretty good-looking as well, still.

One man he will be delighted to be

on the Dragons books is David

buttress, in charge of the books.

How are you? Good reception. As we

heard, the second most famous man to

come out of Croesyceiliog, you are

very welcome in these parts still.

You played scrum-half here for a

couple of seasons. You'll might

guess, when I was at university. The

burning question is what persuaded

you, someone who has made a fortune,

to come home and take the

chairmanship of Dragons?

Don't get

me wrong, I loved building my

business but if you are Welsh rugby

is a passion and something I have

done since I was eight years old

when my grandfather played here.

When I was asked it was probably the

easiest yes. It was a huge honour.

But also I feel a huge

responsibility because I think what

we have is an amazing opportunity.

The young players we have, big

responsibility to create an off the

field environment in which the

commercial can flourish so we can

reinvest in more success.

Sixth in

the conference, two wins, talking

about it being a bit of a project,

how faithful to the fans need to be,

when can they start dreaming about

winning things?

I don't think anyone

involved in sport doesn't want to

win. We want a win. If you are a

business person, everything I have

done is to try and build things

which last but also a hugely

successful. I think fans need to be

thoughtful about how they think in

the sense it clear off the pitch and

on the pitch the club is going on

the direction. Doing a fantastic

job, the young players give us a

huge opportunity to grow. It's our

responsibility to do some stuff

around Rodney Parade and create

affinity. Don't forget we have to

tell sure.

Perhaps the accusation in

the past is that it's not embraced

the wider regional concept, you have

dropped Newport Gwent Dragons the

title, it's about developing

youngsters in the region. Is that

the most important priority for you?

I think it is the right thing for

Wales and for the game. I start with

that. Of course if you look at the

players, I think about 73

participating clubs, more than

anywhere else so of course we should

be bringing through youth. I was

looking at some stats in the New

Zealand: 15, they're under 20 team

in 2010, pretty much all of their

first 15 come from that team and we

don't have that so there is

something about youth, not just

bringing you through that getting

them to turn professional. There is

work to be done but I'm sure we will

get it done.

Breaking news frost

tonight?

We are very excited, my son

's favourite player which has

nothing to do with it but he will be

pleased, our hooker has just

announced a new three-year contract.

Congratulations.

CHEERING

APPLAUSE

.

Great stuff. Good news to end on,

congratulations on the new contract

and that was just one Welsh derby

this weekend, we had another last

night, Scarlets against the Blues.

COMMENTATOR: So often it's the first

man. Does it easily. All driving on,

Davis has a little work. The space

appears, straightaway. Hadleigh

Parkes. Nobody is going to stop the

New Zealander.

Davies switches it. Men on the short

side. Little bent through from

Hadleigh Parkes. Good work from

Evans. It's a OOglies for Williams.

They will have a look at this one.

Great piece of skill, if that is the

tried it's fantastic work from the

winner once more.

I'm going to go

with the knock-on and then deal with

the foul play.

Correct decision,

still a golden opportunity for the

Scarlets, no try.

Tadgh Beirne provides the Scarlets

with the ball. This is the

juggernaut Scarlets pack. That is a

try for Ryan Elias. He was at the

base. There was no stopping the

Scarlets as they drove the Blues

into submission.

Rey Lee-Lo that time. In the shadow

of the Scarlets' post. Steven

Shingler caught. Has possession been

lost at the vital time? It was

Willis Halaholo who lost possession.

Lloyd Williams is shaping up to come

on.

Rey Lee-Lo had to take it low and he

did well. They need a score of some

sort. Trying to get the off-load and

they have done so. Halaholo puts on

the afterburners and there is no one

in front of him and a huge

psychological score for the Blues.

The danger man once more, Willis

Halaholo.

It has been clicked on. In all kinds

of problems. Lloyd Williams can reap

the rewards. Has he dotted the ball

down? It was Mike Nichols' -- it was

Johnny McNicholl's indecision. And

there is 20 minutes to go.

A change. Jonathan Evans coming on.

Steffan Evans sprinting into the 22.

It could be a try for Jonathan

Evans, who has just come on the

field of play. That is his first

touch of the ball and it is a

fantastic touch, as well. Evans.

There are men out wide. One more

charge could do it. Steffan Evans

once more. They will not stop the

winger. A fourth and a bonus one for

the Scarlets and a try that should

see them out for another victory

over the Blues.

We did not get

see them out for another victory

over the Blues.

We did not get a lot

of possession and as a result were

on the back foot but they were not

threatening us and if we could stop

giving away silly penalties and have

more possession we would be fine. We

have to work hard for the bonus

because we knew they would not

simply go away.

Not a good

performance if I am brutally honest.

I am proud of the ability to try to

get back into the game, scoring two

tries in the second half but the

next kick-off, we make a big error

and they score and get back into the

lead and we are chasing again. Not

our best performance but a number of

young players have their first taste

of a derby match. You have to take

your hat off to the Scarlets, they

showed quality they have in their

team.

They deserved the win

showed quality they have in their

team.

They deserved the win tonight.

Drinking you up-to-date with some of

the other results from the Pro14. A

great win for Leinster. The Cheetahs

coming from behind to pit Zebre. And

Glasgow, they are still bossing the

Pro14.

Glasgow, they are still bossing the

Pro14.

Southern Kings, miserable for them,

not a single point this season.

Second season syndrome in a way for

the Scarlets, after their

unlikeliest success last season. How

much have you enjoyed the

Renaissance in the Scarlets and the

fact they have carried on in the

league?

Last season was so

refreshing with two games at the end

against Leinster and Munster and it

told everyone the way they played.

The game against Bath in Europe,

they seemed reluctant to change in

any conditions against any powerful

site and you can come unstuck but it

is not over. That was an

entertaining game against the Blues.

When they got back to 18-17, the

Blues, it was for long. Danny Wilson

said it is a slight curse of the

Welsh game, catching the kick-off.

Something to aspire to?

Indefinitely, setting aside the

regional rivalry, the manner of the

Scarlets' wins in Ireland to become

champions was inspirational. The

quality of the rugby and change of

approach. On occasions our game can

be stodgy but they reinvented

themselves effectively. Some great

guys playing very good rugby and it

shows a lot of us what can be

achieved when you get things right.

We talk about this every week. Even

against Bath in Europe they did not

alter the way they played. Such high

tempo and fluidity.

Nine times out

of ten it works. It was a good test

but at times the Scarlets at their

best with high skill and tempo and

the Blues joined in.

best with high skill and tempo and

the Blues joined in. This is

Hadleigh Parkes. They have

the Blues joined in. This is

Hadleigh Parkes. They have a real

appetite to attack and commit two

defenders. Williams, out of the back

door. Look at the transfer of the

delivery, bringing Gareth Davies

onto the ball. Preplanned but the

timing of the runs, so rehearsed.

When it comes from here, what do

they do? You never really know. A

crossfield kick. They are Jack in

the box. Difficult to defend at

times. Talk about constructing a

try, three forwards close to the

line, outside and inside. Good

patients, waiting, another three

forwards. They are setting up the

Blues to condense their defence.

They go again? No, across to

Hadleigh Parkes. He makes good yards

and often scores from there. It

allows the back line to regenerate

and they are together. Look how

connected the backline are.

This is

something the

connected the backline are.

This is

something the Ospreys do not do.

This guy can do nothing wrong. The

Blues would have arrived with

confidence with two out of two

Europe. Significant wins against

French side but this was

Europe. Significant wins against

French side but this was a step too

far.

It was too much. In discipline

-- ill discipline. A lot of changes

in the game early. Steven Shingler

on early. The Scarlets turning the

screw at the scrum. And that the

maul. Danny will be disappointed

with this. They can go narrow and

with a good pack. A tough night for

the Blues but

with a good pack. A tough night for

the Blues but recent form has been

good.

Danny Wilson is leaving at the

end of the season so he is a lame

duck coach in that respect. How hard

is it for the players knowing

everything in place this season will

be torn up?

It is different because

it is not on the field that has

caused the problem. The link between

players and coaches intact and they

can carry on. It is different

circumstance in Cardiff but there is

a mood across the land for home

grown. The Dragons are leading the

charge. We need outsiders to come

in, Hadleigh Parkes, qualifies for

Wales. But, in general, the thrust

must be, let's make our own and that

applies to coaches, as well.

The

Wales squad was announced on Tuesday

by Warren Gatland with five Dragons,

the joint highest representation for

the region have four are here this

evening. Elliot Dee, Leon Brown,

Cory Hill and Hallam.

I should mention we hope to get the

fifth member, Tyler Morgan, who went

off injured on Friday night. Fingers

crossed he will be back before long.

Congratulations on the contract. You

are top of the try scoring.

You love

a try. I suppose playing for the

Dragons, it has not been hard in

recent years. We are playing a bit

of rugby this year but I'm just

lucky to be on the back of the mauls

and dotting the ball down.

What is

with this modesty with the Dragons?

Leon, you got over the try-line on

Friday. You are doing the backs'

job.

It does not often happen.

Scoring at 30 yards. The Dragons,

the forwards have ball in hand.

Don't often touched the ball so it

was good. You are the captain this

year. Captain Fantastic, the boy

said you are doing a good job.

What

kind of Captain are you? I like to

be a character in the squad and

friendly with most of the boys.

Most? We have Gavin who keeps

himself to himself a bit! Everybody

seems to get on well with a pretty

decent relationship, with Bernard

coming in. Everything is exciting

and I'm looking forward to a nice

couple of seasons.

Thanks for coming

in this season.

Let's talk more about the Wales

squad. None of us journalists could

figure out the headline. The Sam

Cross inclusion. Hadleigh Parkes has

joined and will be eligible before

the final game against South Africa.

Was it the return of Rhys

Priestland? I do not know. What was

the first thing that caught your

attention?

The first thing genuinely

was really pleased they have gone

for a lot of youngsters and players

in form like Steffan Evans, which is

refreshing and there is clear

indication they are looking to

change attacking style. I was

surprised and a little disappointed

Scott Williams is left out. I do not

know we can afford to leave the

player of his quality out but I am

looking forward to the autumn series

of the back of it and welcome it.

Four fly-halves in the squad and a

seeming shift to a change in

philosophy, shades of 1988 with four

in the backline. Is it an indication

he is seriously going to change the

way they play?

Only four centres so

you are looking at one of the four

tens and see if they are going to

move to 12 which they did with the

Lions. More than anything, I think

the squad selection screams

opportunity. Young Sam Cross, the

opportunity on the back of one game

but I have seen that with Bernard

and the Dragons. You get the jersey

and show what you can do. The

message from Warren is the guys have

a chance to impress. In camp they

are watched and have opportunity to

show what they can do and if they

deliver get another chance.

Talking

about having a chance. Sam Cross.

Had he not played against Saracens

the week before and he only did so

because of injuries, he probably

would not have got near the squad

but there he is, it is a fantastic

story for him but I guess there are

people like Boyd and Tom Young

looking on and thinking, what else

could I have done?

Another product

of this county. We keep churning

them out. It is great. One thing he

has is pace and off-loading

awareness, born out of playing in so

many sevens. He has pace, spatial

awareness. It is good to see and

good to see the Dragons back in the

national squad. I suppose the

temptation must be as Warren Gatland

arrived and picked 13 Ospreys in the

first team there must be a

temptation to cram it with Scarlets.

They are in the form. Australia

beating New Zealand probably did not

help. It means they are on a roll.

They played against New Zealand and

got another game under their belts

against the Barbarians. They are on

a roll and we are coming into it in

rusty mode. A tricky game. I would

not experiment much in the opening

fixture.

In terms of the balance of

the squad, the word on the street is

we know what Jamie Roberts and Scott

Williams can do and this is an

opportunity for those others to

experience it. They are not chasing

rankings points so the pressure is

off, but you do not want to lose

these games.

Nobody wants to lose

but we have to accept as a Welsh

public there will be experimentation

and we have to be patient. The

endgame is the World Cup, fast

approaching. We do know what a lot

of players can do and these guys

showing form in the regional game,

they will want to see them on a

higher stage but the difficulty is,

and always the case in the autumn,

these three teams after the back of

a Rugby Championship, well oiled,

coming up for a win and we go to

camp, two weeks to go. Be patient,

let Warren find out about the

players.

Rolf Harris' swansong.

Stepping down after the World Cup

along with Warren. An intriguing

story. The England and Wales packs

next week will be training together

in Bristol.

What is that about? One

of these innovations that the

coaches use. I remember doing it, we

trained away from home. They can be

quirky sometimes and sometimes

deliver.

If you take it up a level, Wales

training against England in a

managed session. Nigel Owens, though

less.

That can get tasty.

Surely

fists will fly! You would imagine

there has been discussion before to

stop that happening. There will not

be many cameras filming it.

Eddie

Jones claimed today Wales have the

edge over England in the scrum and

they will win that physical battle.

Do you agree? It could be tasty.

Let's find out what happened in the

Premiership.

It was top against second at the

Bridge field but the top team came

second. Ponty. This try one of their

four tries. Champions Merthyr

lurking within tent in third and

also bagged a bonus point try in

winning at Cross Keys. This try by

Andrew is one of five managed by

Merthyr. Ebbw Vale gained a first

home win of the campaign beating

Bedwas and this penalty try the

compelling moment.

On Friday, Cardiff beat Newport.

Here putting the blue plaques on the

road to bonus point win.

The table shows Bedwas on top from

Ponty on points difference.

It was top against second in the

west. Here the second team came top.

Our RGC had two tries.

Six yellow cards here and a red card

for O Driscoll but it did not stop

the Reds winning with a bonus point.

The Quins won the big WestLB. Their

win over Llanelli. -- west lead. --

league. Swansea avenge their opening

day defeat by Neath by turning the

tables with a bonus point. Evans the

score up of one of their four tries.

RGC leap frog to Llandovery at the

top.

RGC leap frog to Llandovery at the

top. We are at Croesyceiliog and it

would be remiss not to find out how

they got on yesterday.

would be remiss not to find out how

they got on yesterday.

Our club is special because we are a

community club. When I joined years

ago

community club. When I joined years

ago it was 15 players from a pub on

a Saturday afternoon. How things

have gone on.

I have played all the

way through Croesyceiliog. Been to

other clubs along the way but always

come back here.

It has a good ethos.

We tried to play a good brand of

rugby and try to progress.

It is

massive. We need this win just to

get ourselves back contract and get

confidence in the boys and get back

to where we were. Abercarn are a

good bunch of boys. We are looking

forward to having a couple of pints

with them later.

I follow

Croesyceiliog all the time. My

grandson normally plays. He has an

injury, but they are worth watching.

Excellent, excellent support. They

have supported us all the way the

last three years, from winning the

championship, and here today.

Absolutely fantastic.

We have over

200 kids playing. A lot of our teams

are at full capacity. Really great

seeing the kids enjoying their

rugby.

It was tough at the end but the boys

to get a win, it means a lot. It is

nice they held in for once. We got

what we came for. A win is a win.

Love it.

And here he years, the star of the

show. Matthew Ebden whistle. He came

off the bench. I thought you had

retired but you are a hero in injury

time.

Dragged off the bench again.

Leon talked about his 30 yards.

Last

night was 20, 30 yards.

Now the

evidence is out! Victory against

Abercarn. You lost against them in

the Plate last year.

All the way

this year? I hope so. Two away wins

in the cup and hopefully a home draw

next time and fingers crossed.

And

Carly, you represent the women's a

new start in the masterclass

earlier.

I did. I am glad I was

facing the back, not the camera!

You

did not play this weekend, the game

was called off. But you did not get

away with it because Sean made you

do that earlier. Tell me the secret

of this club. Something like 14

sections, junior sections, women's

side. Why do you thrive when so many

grassroots clubs are not?

So many

interested in playing. Women's has

become more popular and it's nice to

see girls coming up and enjoying

themselves. We support each other's

games, the men's boys' out within's.

The under 13s playing against

Merthyr today. Unfortunately they

did not get the win but you turned

out to support each other and a

great occasion.

Yes it is a good

opportunity to get together, enjoy

ourselves and support each other and

encourage more people to play.

Thank

you for joining us tonight.

Best of luck. I had better get back

to my seat. We have not got a lot of

time left. Before we end, I want to

talk about the Dragons. It is tough

coming up next, Munster away and

then a period when you do not play

at home about two months.

We are on

the road, the way the list conspired

against us. Plenty of journeys at

the moment, but come December, a big

December with five games at home.

Hardening up on the road and then

looking to do some damage when we

get Rodney Parade rocking again.

We

have talked about the international

series. More specifically on that,

we talked about the pressure being

off and victories were not the be

all and end all. What would you

consider a success?

We need to beat

one of the big three. Beat Georgia,

even with an experimental side. I'd

like to see a development of our

game. The game has moved on a

regional, club level. We need to see

it move on for Wales to challenge

the World Cup in Japan. There are

signs in the squad selection, can it

be transferred onto the field? A

massive swansong for the coaching

team. We should get behind it. The

regions are trying to do their bit.

For me, two wins and the development

of our game might be enough.

Australia are the bogey side. We

always seem to get them first and

they catch us cold. You will be in

the commentary box. What are the

odds of a Welsh victory?

It would be

sweet. One against the All Blacks,

just to be able to say, we were

there when that happened. That is

the ultimate goal. I would sacrifice

Australia to have two under our belt

and have a real go at the All

Blacks. Sacrifice a result against

Australia to have a crack at the All

Blacks.

They are prized scalps. You

talk about the opportunity. Showing

what you can do at that level, with

the Georgia game. But if you are a

player, involved in this, how long

does your career last, how often do

you get the scalp of four of those

three? Can they do it? You see the

first game of the All Blacks in the

championship and they have pushed on

again and it puts the Lions' results

into perspective, but that is where

the stakes are high is.

That is all

we have time for. Apologies for the

gremlins at the start of the show.

Put your hands together for Stuart

Davies, Eddie Butler, Sean Holley.

As we are deep in the heart of the

Dragons' region, only appropriate to

end on one of the most famous days

in Gwent rugby history. The 54th

anniversary of the day Newport won.

COMMENTATOR: The tourists' first

match in Wales. They have never

beaten and All Blacks team but at

certain times it has been touch and

go. Watkins on the outside. Danger

for the All Blacks. They can get it.

Trying the drop goal. Is it their?

Yes, it is. Rodney Parade is a

light. Newport have struck the first

blow.

Newport have done it. The crowd