United Rugby Championship

[Wallpaperman]

Dragons lose in Connaught. Some really sloppy tries in the first half to go 19 nil down. Lots of effort from the dragons but made too many mistakes and couldn’t get quick ball. Bundle Aki is lucky not to have a card at the death for tackling a player in the air and the last interception try was caused by th dragons forcing the game but bottom line was dragons for all the effort could turn the screw, build pressure and score points.

Difficult place to go, and the Dragons had a very inexperienced front row. I only saw the last 10 minutes which were quite open but that’s obviously a poor result.

Was hoping that Wilson, the new centre, would go well. Apparently he was recommended to the Dragons by Jamie Roberts, but it doesn’t sound as though he is pulling up any trees yet.

Agree about Aki.

The Dragons have recruited well on paper, they need to start doing better.

Encouraging results elsewhere, a cracking comeback from Cardiff, a horribly ugly performance (but a win) for Ospreys, and some nice stuff from the Scarlets on Friday. Henry Thomas, Plumtree and Eddie James could all go nicely for Wales. Probably Blair Murray too.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Dragons lose in Connaught. Some really sloppy tries in the first half to go 19 nil down. Lots of effort from the dragons but made too many mistakes and couldn’t get quick ball. Bundle Aki is lucky not to have a card at the death for tackling a player in the air and the last interception try was caused by th dragons forcing the game but bottom line was dragons for all the effort could turn the screw, build pressure and score points.

Difficult place to go, and the Dragons had a very inexperienced front row. I only saw the last 10 minutes which were quite open but that’s obviously a poor result.

Was hoping that Wilson, the new centre, would go well. Apparently he was recommended to the Dragons by Jamie Roberts, but it doesn’t sound as though he is pulling up any trees yet.

Agree about Aki.

The Dragons have recruited well on paper, they need to start doing better.

Encouraging results elsewhere, a cracking comeback from Cardiff, a horribly ugly performance (but a win) for Ospreys, and some nice stuff from the Scarlets on Friday. Henry Thomas, Plumtree and Eddie James could all go nicely for Wales. Probably Blair Murray too.

Dragons had an okay second half but undone completely by the first half trying to follow the Osprey's recent tactic (and Cardiff's this week) of giving the opposition a load of tries upfront. O'Brien is good but he can't do it alone. Awful lineout.

Otherwise a great weekend for Wales. Scarlets should expect to beat Zebre but they did so with some style. Ospreys were the better team but Owen Williams did his best to keep Edinburgh in the game by !missing 8 points. Still too good for them though. Lake, Jac Morgan, Tips (most of the forwards really), Keiran Williams, Walsh all went well. Cardiff really showed some belief to come back from 0-19. Sheedy must be wondering what he needs to do.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Awful decision-making (is not kicking at goal when 2 points behind) cost the Scarlets a surprisingly winnable game at Glasgow. Cardiff were clear winners vs the Dragons (although replacement scrum half Morgan Lloyd looks like a find)

A truly pitiful, underpowered performance saw the Ospreys lose to Zebre. They just didn't have the muscle (can't afford the players - eg Deaves is an excellent 7 but at 6 he's way too small). In previous seasons their maul would have won them several tries. This time it only went forwards once in the game (which won a try). Like Wales, the Ospreys just don't have the physicality.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I enjoyed the Ospreys sneak victory against the Scarlets . They were outplayed and looked out of ideas at the start but were the better team in the second half. Some great players on show - Jac Morgan, Ellis Mee, Eddie James, even Watkins showed remarkable footwork . in the end the Ospreys muscle worked (this is only Welsh opposition).