Pro 14

[Wallpaperman]

Ospreys 17-5 down, and a man down at half time in Galway. They scored a really good early try and have blown a couple more line breaks in the Connacht 22, and were playing really well for about 25-30 minutes.

Credit to Connacht for coming right back at them. They have scored 2 tries, the first from the Ospreys losing possession in the Connacht 22, and the second right on half time from a scrum after Tipuric was sin binned. Worrying for the Ospreys that Connacht are dominating the scrum, I’ve praised Rhodri Jones of late but he has shipped 3 penalties. I thought the last should have been an Ospreys penalty, but the ref has his eye on Jones.

They definitely need to score first in the second half.

Fair play to the Ospreys, 2 tries in 5 minutes and they are 19-17 up. Good match this

26-20 to the Ospreys at full time, very entertaining match. The scum was sorted eventually - the Connacht tight head was pinged for not driving straight (he got away with it a couple of times in the first half) and Jones took the penalty, but was then subbed. Both sides played good rugby, very attacking and not much kick tennis. Webb got 2 tries and man of the match. Lots of good performances but the centres (Kieran Williams and Owen Watkin) went really well in attack and defence and North also went well, scoring a really nice try.

[Sandydragon]

I enjoyed that. Both teams were positive with the ball and once the scrum was sorted out the Ospreys were the stronger team.

They are hugely improved but still give away silly penalties to put themselves under pressure.

[Wallpaperman]

I enjoyed that. Both teams were positive with the ball and once the scrum was sorted out the Ospreys were the stronger team.

They are hugely improved but still give away silly penalties to put themselves under pressure.

They gave away too many penalties in the last 10 minutes when they could have shut up shop. The Phillips penalty for a high tackle was totally avoidable, no need at all. A lot of the first half penalties stemmed from the scrum, and the defending the resultant lineout and I’m not too sure about the reffing there.

They have a good team spirit at present though. They had a similar comeback against Worcester before Christmas.

[Sandydragon]

I enjoyed that. Both teams were positive with the ball and once the scrum was sorted out the Ospreys were the stronger team.

They are hugely improved but still give away silly penalties to put themselves under pressure.

They gave away too many penalties in the last 10 minutes when they could have shut up shop. The Phillips penalty for a high tackle was totally avoidable, no need at all. A lot of the first half penalties stemmed from the scrum, and the defending the resultant lineout and I’m not too sure about the reffing there.

They have a good team spirit at present though. They had a similar comeback against Worcester before Christmas.

I was a bit surprised by the non try following the drive over from a line out. Unless there is clear evidence of the ball being held up, most refs give the benefit of the doubt there.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Ospreys 17-5 down, and a man down at half time in Galway. They scored a really good early try and have blown a couple more line breaks in the Connacht 22, and were playing really well for about 25-30 minutes.

Credit to Connacht for coming right back at them. They have scored 2 tries, the first from the Ospreys losing possession in the Connacht 22, and the second right on half time from a scrum after Tipuric was sin binned. Worrying for the Ospreys that Connacht are dominating the scrum, I’ve praised Rhodri Jones of late but he has shipped 3 penalties. I thought the last should have been an Ospreys penalty, but the ref has his eye on Jones.

They definitely need to score first in the second half.

Fair play to the Ospreys, 2 tries in 5 minutes and they are 19-17 up. Good match this

The Ospreys made a lot of chances but were very sloppy in the first half (Kieran Williams provided plenty of both types of play all by himself). They tightened it up and turned the game with two early tries in the second half. They always looked capable of the win but it was very much in the balance for most of the match. Webb made a 2 try statement to the Wales management. Giles survived another 1 minute of rugby.

[Sandydragon]

Ospreys 17-5 down, and a man down at half time in Galway. They scored a really good early try and have blown a couple more line breaks in the Connacht 22, and were playing really well for about 25-30 minutes.

Credit to Connacht for coming right back at them. They have scored 2 tries, the first from the Ospreys losing possession in the Connacht 22, and the second right on half time from a scrum after Tipuric was sin binned. Worrying for the Ospreys that Connacht are dominating the scrum, I’ve praised Rhodri Jones of late but he has shipped 3 penalties. I thought the last should have been an Ospreys penalty, but the ref has his eye on Jones.

They definitely need to score first in the second half.

Fair play to the Ospreys, 2 tries in 5 minutes and they are 19-17 up. Good match this

The Ospreys made a lot of chances but were very sloppy in the first half (Kieran Williams provided plenty of both types of play all by himself). They tightened it up and turned the game with two early tries in the second half. They always looked capable of the win but it was very much in the balance for most of the match. Webb made a 2 try statement to the Wales management. Giles survived another 1 minute of rugby.

I did chuckle when he came on. At some point he needs more than a five minute cameo, but better to take is slow.

[Wallpaperman]

Will Rowlands has now been signed by the Dragons from next season. I think that’s excellent news. I think he could form a really strong partnership with Screech, but there have been rumours that Screech is looking to sign for the Blues next season. With everyone fit, the Dragons could have a pack like this next season:

Harris, Dee, Brown, Carter, Rowlands, Moriarty, Wainwright and Griffiths, with the likes of Bateman, Keddie and Basham on the bench.

Looks pretty good to me.

[Sandydragon]

Really pleased with this signing, after a few months of rumours. He definitely brings a lot to our front five when he will be available for us. I'm hoping we can keep hold of Screech, we need some strength in depth to keep consistency.

[Wallpaperman]

Really pleased with this signing, after a few months of rumours. He definitely brings a lot to our front five when he will be available for us. I'm hoping we can keep hold of Screech, we need some strength in depth to keep consistency.

Agreed. It would be great news if they could keep him. With Rowlands likely to be in the Wales squad, there would be plenty of match time for Screech, Carter and Joe Davies.

[Wallpaperman]

Hope tonight’s match isn’t an omen for next week. Scarlets have shipped 4 tries before half time, three from lineout mauls and one from a 5 metre scrum. Can’t see an Ospreys style comeback here, Leinster have way too much power.

The Scarlets did score a gorgeous try after a defence splitting pass from Costelow, who has kicked well from the tee. Steff Hughes, Cassiem, Blade Thomson are all putting a shift in, and Morgan Jones again looks like a real prospect, but this could be a real thumping. Basically the Scarlets have conceded some penalties in midfield, Leinster have kicked to the corner and the rest has been inevitable !

Fair play to Leinster, they have some squad.

[Wallpaperman]

Another try for Leinster. This could get biblical.

[Wallpaperman]

Try Scarlets after a gorgeous break from Tyler Morgan. Still 20 points behind though !!

[Wallpaperman]

And Tuipolotou is on.

[Wallpaperman]

Morgan gets stepped a minute later by Max O’Reilly who scores a really good individual try. It’s a 27 point game again

[Wallpaperman]

Scarlets get a penalty on half way and go for the corner. O’Brien kicks it dead, scrum Leinster on half way. Aaaarrrrggghhhhhh

[Wallpaperman]

Try Leinster. Fancy that. 50 up

[Wallpaperman]

Ref has started pinging Leinster. A sympathy yellow card, for not a great deal

[Wallpaperman]

Try O Brien, 27 -52 with a minute to go. Can the Scarlets overturn this narrow 25 point deficit ?

[Wallpaperman]

No

[Wallpaperman]

I hadn’t heard of a few of the Leinster players before tonight but they were dominant there. A suffocating defence caused the Scarlets to take some ridiculous options at times, and breakdown penalties were ruthlessly punished. Leinster took virtually all their chances, and didn’t miss a place kick. A real winners’ attitude from them.

Nice to see a few of the Scarlets youngsters perform quite well, eg Costelow and Morgan Jones, but I won’t be watching this match again.

[Sandydragon]

I watched some of the match, but got distracted.

Scarlets defence at times was woeful. It was like watching schoolboy rugby at times.

[Sandydragon]

And Tuipolotou is on.

Fair play, he takes some stopping.

[Numbers]

And Tuipolotou is on.

Fair play, he takes some stopping.

He's a unit but he looked a little bit like a rabbit in the headlights I thought, he spent most of his time standing next to rucks instead of making himself available for carrying, hopefully he'll get some more game time during the 6 nations as he has the physical attributes but just needs to get a run of games to find his feet.

[Wallpaperman]

And Tuipolotou is on.

Fair play, he takes some stopping.

He's a unit but he looked a little bit like a rabbit in the headlights I thought, he spent most of his time standing next to rucks instead of making himself available for carrying, hopefully he'll get some more game time during the 6 nations as he has the physical attributes but just needs to get a run of games to find his feet.

A terrific prospect, who came on for his first appearance when his side were getting thumped. The experience will have done him good, even if it wasn’t much fun at the time.

He’ll have Willgriff John for company next season. An awesome signing for the Scarlets

[Sandydragon]

Fair play, he takes some stopping.

He's a unit but he looked a little bit like a rabbit in the headlights I thought, he spent most of his time standing next to rucks instead of making himself available for carrying, hopefully he'll get some more game time during the 6 nations as he has the physical attributes but just needs to get a run of games to find his feet.

A terrific prospect, who came on for his first appearance when his side were getting thumped. The experience will have done him good, even if it wasn’t much fun at the time.

He’ll have Willgriff John for company next season. An awesome signing for the Scarlets

That’s a great signing for them.