Pro 14

[Son of Mathonwy]

Really disappointing weekend, it does make you wonder why our teams can't seem to get their act together for Europe, but clearly three of the matches were very close and could easily have gone the other way. So, to some extent, we were unlucky to end up with nothing for the weekend. Doesn't feel good though.

[Sandydragon]

Really disappointing weekend, it does make you wonder why our teams can't seem to get their act together for Europe, but clearly three of the matches were very close and could easily have gone the other way. So, to some extent, we were unlucky to end up with nothing for the weekend. Doesn't feel good though.

Yeah, the Scarlets were blown away even if on paper that was a strong team that could compete. The other three teams seemed to have switched off at the last. Disappointing that none got through.

[Wallpaperman]

Really disappointing weekend, it does make you wonder why our teams can't seem to get their act together for Europe, but clearly three of the matches were very close and could easily have gone the other way. So, to some extent, we were unlucky to end up with nothing for the weekend. Doesn't feel good though.

Yeah, the Scarlets were blown away even if on paper that was a strong team that could compete. The other three teams seemed to have switched off at the last. Disappointing that none got through.

The Scarlets chairman gave an interview where he said that the returning players from the Wales squad were exhausted. I suppose that might go part of the way to explaining a dire result. At least Willgriff John will be happy as he should be able to get into the first team next season.

Am slightly worried about the Scarlets, they have lost a couple of second rows for next season, and they have let Cassiem go, too, although he hasn’t been first choice since Kalamafoni signed. The Ospreys have pinched Jac Morgan from them, and now Ossian Knott, in addition some of their big players have been injured for a very long time (Patchell, Rob Evans, Samson Lee, etc) They still have arguably the strongest squad in Wales and a batch of really promising young players but it doesn’t seem right there at the moment

[Wallpaperman]

Assuming that they don’t lose any more players, and that their injured players return, they could it out a match day 23 like this next season. The second row is inexperienced, but Morgan Jones has had a good season, and Jac Price looked good in the games he played until he got injured, especially away to Ulster. I think they are both still aged under 22. As for the rest of the team, it’s packed with international players:

Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Willgriff John, Sam Lousi, Morgan Jones, Aaron Shingler, Sione Kalamafoni, Josh Macleod, Gareth Davies, Rhys Patchell, Liam Williams, Johnny Williams, Jon Davies, Johnny Mcnicholl, Leigh Halfpenny

Rob Evans, Ryan Elias, Samson Lee, Jac Price, Blade Thompson (James Davies), Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, (Dan Jones) Tom Rogers (Steff Evans).

Not many weak spots there.

[Wallpaperman]

Looks like there are other sides that can lose when 14-0 up, and get done at home by the Irish teams. Yes, i am clutching at straws !

[Sandydragon]

There’s some gutted Exeter fans out there, but in reality once Leinster had switched on they won that game by a fair margin.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Even more worrying that the team which thrashed the Scarlets was then thrashed by La Rochelle. Where does that put the Scarlets??

[Sandydragon]

Even more worrying that the team which thrashed the Scarlets was then thrashed by La Rochelle. Where does that put the Scarlets??

Not in a good place?

It was a bad day at the office for the Scarlets, but this hasn’t been a great season for them.

[Sandydragon]

Dai Young is confirmed as permanent Director of Rugby at Cardiff. I hope he can bring some success (yes as a Newport fan I really have written that) because we need our regions to pick themselves back up again.

[Wallpaperman]

Dai Young is confirmed as permanent Director of Rugby at Cardiff. I hope he can bring some success (yes as a Newport fan I really have written that) because we need our regions to pick themselves back up again.

Loads of potential in the squad, should be doing a lot better. I’ll also wish them the very best for next season even though they have dropped the valleys !

[Son of Mathonwy]

Cardiff outclassed by the Ospreys yesterday. Destroyed at the scrum.

Worrying injury for North and his Lions chances, hope it's not as bad as it looked.

[Sandydragon]

Go Dragons! Great result.

[Sandydragon]

Cardiff outclassed by the Ospreys yesterday. Destroyed at the scrum.

Worrying injury for North and his Lions chances, hope it's not as bad as it looked.

Yeah, hoping it’s nothing too serious.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Go Dragons! Great result.

Very entertaining match. The Dragons were looking lethal with ball in hand. Lots of players looking to impress Pivac.

[Son of Mathonwy]

The Ospreys were definitely second best yesterday. They didn't seem to have the physicality to get through the Scarlets.

I'm not understanding the point of the trialled rule which gives the ball to the defending team if it gets held up over the line. It seems like a great way to reduce the number of tries scored in a match.

[Sandydragon]

The Ospreys were definitely second best yesterday. They didn't seem to have the physicality to get through the Scarlets.

I'm not understanding the point of the trialled rule which gives the ball to the defending team if it gets held up over the line. It seems like a great way to reduce the number of tries scored in a match.

The weather was awful but the scarlets were much stronger up front, even when down to 14 players.

[Sandydragon]

Meanwhile Cardiff Newport is a lively game. Currently 10 nil to Cardiff who deserve their lead. Entertaining game though.

[Sandydragon]

Cardiff pack are winning the maul battle.

[Sandydragon]

Owen Lane sees red for an idiotic challenge.

[Sandydragon]

And it’s suddenly ten all.

[Sandydragon]

Really don’t like the twenty minute red card rule. Cheap shots don’t get the punishment they deserve.

[Sandydragon]

Dragons playing against 13 men for some time and fail to make the most of it and then of course concede a try when Cardiff are back to 15. Not great awareness.

The Captains challenge sucks all momentum out of the game whilst officials try to find the right incident. Not sure I’m a fan of this I’d rather the TMO called out foul play.

[Sandydragon]

Some poor decision making by the dragons has cost them this game. A much better second half from the dragons after a first half where Cardiff were dominant. Both teams had long periods of dominance and you could argue should have made better use of that dominance to increase the scoreboard.

[Sandydragon]

Ollie Griffiths returns for the Dragons this Sunday. I really hope he can have an uninjured run of games, this guys luck has been terrible and he is absolute quality when fit.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Really don’t like the twenty minute red card rule. Cheap shots don’t get the punishment they deserve.

It was weird to see the red card disappear and Cardiff suddenly back to full strength, and really deflating for the Dragons who hadn't taken advantage of it.

But the rule makes good sense to me - twice as bad as a yellow (instead of anywhere between 1 and 8 times as bad) plus the wrongdoer doesn't return for good measure. So, solid punishment but not so damaging to the balance of the match. I guess they could increase the sanction if 20 minutes isn't enough deterrent.