United Rugby Championship

[Numbers]

Yes, I needed a positivity top-up ahead of next weekend's misery.

TBH I felt Os had done well but were pretty lucky to turn around 9-3 up, and we all assumed Munster would sort it out. Instead, it was Os who upped their game. It was really, really weird to be sat in the stands watching us hold a narrow lead, but feeling increasing confidence that we weren't going to blow it. And against Munster, the all-time masters of getting-outplayed-but-beating-you-anyway, that was really something.

There are still bucketloads of questions for the Os to answer regarding their attacking play, but they can all wait when you've just beaten a side you've not come near in... how long? I wouldn't care if it was 3-0, that's a brilliant win.

Allied to the fact that Munster still had their Internationals available that was one of the best performances from a Welsh team for some time.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Really poor defence from the Ospreys tonight. They seemed unable to cope with Connacht's offloading game, the Irish made ground almost at will.

[Sandydragon]

That score line is horrible. I didn’t see the game, but the report in the Fail suggests it wasn’t pleasant viewing.

[Sandydragon]

Just watched Edinburgh strange the Dragons out of the game. Horrible first quarter followed by a decent game.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Just watched Edinburgh strange the Dragons out of the game. Horrible first quarter followed by a decent game.

Not a good weekend.

[Sandydragon]

Just watched Edinburgh strange the Dragons out of the game. Horrible first quarter followed by a decent game.

Not a good weekend.

And meanwhile both Cardiff and the Scarlets are about to be seriously impacted by covid. The forthcoming European games could be unpleasant


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[normanski]

It seems to me that inviting the South African sides into the Championship doesn’t seem a good idea at the moment.

I know it’s all about money with the added bonus of novelty and crowd excitement but in the current pandemic having to fly for twelve hours to play a game (for them and us) and face quarantine rules seems plain daft.

Rugby appears to have lost its way and is being sacrificed on the altar of greed. Maybe there’s too much international and first class rugby being played, organised by greedy administrators.

[whatisthejava]

I know it’s all about money

Yup. That’s it. Pro rugby never stops eating cash.

[Sandydragon]

I know it’s all about money

Yup. That’s it. Pro rugby never stops eating cash.

You could argue that every game money touches is ruined. Possibly a bit OTT but for rugby professionalism hasn’t been all fun and games.


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[Sandydragon]

After a brief glimmer of hope, Newport are again unwatchable. Ryan needs to get a grip quickly or any advances made this season will be wiped out.

[Son of Mathonwy]

After a brief glimmer of hope, Newport are again unwatchable. Ryan needs to get a grip quickly or any advances made this season will be wiped out.

They seemed to be unaware of the concept of 'offside'. At least for the first 60 minutes.

But after last week's disaster, the Ospreys were back with a solid win over Ulster. If there was ever a game won by the forwards, that was it. Hate the phrase, but . . . dominant scrum.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Damn. Nice to have some rugby on, at last, but that was seriously annoying for the Ospreys fan at the end. They really threw that away. And again the new rule about balls held up over the try line really changes things (and not in a good way).

Not a bad game though, good to see Patchell and Giles back. Webb, Morgan Morris and Jac Morgan played well. Collins totally blew it.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Damn. Nice to have some rugby on, at last, but that was seriously annoying for the Ospreys fan at the end. They really threw that away. And again the new rule about balls held up over the try line really changes things (and not in a good way).

Not a bad game though, good to see Patchell and Giles back. Webb, Morgan Morris and Jac Morgan played well. Collins totally blew it.

Terrible write-up by the BBC incorrectly maligns Thomas, claiming he threw the interception, but it was clearly Collins (as can be seen in the highlights).
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59834405

[Sandydragon]

Damn. Nice to have some rugby on, at last, but that was seriously annoying for the Ospreys fan at the end. They really threw that away. And again the new rule about balls held up over the try line really changes things (and not in a good way).

Not a bad game though, good to see Patchell and Giles back. Webb, Morgan Morris and Jac Morgan played well. Collins totally blew it.

I’m gutted to have missed the game. I’m with you I’m not liking the ball held up rule, I’d prefer to reward attack than defence. For me the jury is out on Collins. He looks like he could be a tidy player but I think the hype is getting in the way.


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[Numbers]

Damn. Nice to have some rugby on, at last, but that was seriously annoying for the Ospreys fan at the end. They really threw that away. And again the new rule about balls held up over the try line really changes things (and not in a good way).

Not a bad game though, good to see Patchell and Giles back. Webb, Morgan Morris and Jac Morgan played well. Collins totally blew it.

I’m gutted to have missed the game. I’m with you I’m not liking the ball held up rule, I’d prefer to reward attack than defence. For me the jury is out on Collins. He looks like he could be a tidy player but I think the hype is getting in the way.


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There was big talk about him after he scored a couple of tries in one game for the Os at the start of the season but while he was at The Scarlets he was average and used for utility more than anything else.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Damn. Nice to have some rugby on, at last, but that was seriously annoying for the Ospreys fan at the end. They really threw that away. And again the new rule about balls held up over the try line really changes things (and not in a good way).

Not a bad game though, good to see Patchell and Giles back. Webb, Morgan Morris and Jac Morgan played well. Collins totally blew it.

I’m gutted to have missed the game. I’m with you I’m not liking the ball held up rule, I’d prefer to reward attack than defence. For me the jury is out on Collins. He looks like he could be a tidy player but I think the hype is getting in the way.


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There was big talk about him after he scored a couple of tries in one game for the Os at the start of the season but while he was at The Scarlets he was average and used for utility more than anything else.

He had a brilliant first game for the Ospreys but since returning from injury has been unremarkable, and indeed handed the game to the Scarlets last week. No one should be talking about him playing for Wales without a total turnaround in his form.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Cardiff outclassed by Edinburgh at half time.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Another quality weekend from the Welsh teams.

[Sandydragon]

It’s shite isn’t it? Covid is playing a part but we seem to have more difficulty adapting than other teams.

On paper the regions can field strong teams. On the pitch they often look very weak.

Every time I read the fail online it’s full of people arguing that we should disband the regions. That’s seems like the wrong approach which won’t strengthen anything. Reducing the number of regions also feels like the wrong move. Money is definitely a problem but even with decent coaches we look totally undercooked compared to our competition. It’s almost like we have got too used to losing.

[switchskier]

How many of that Cardiff team will be in the national squad? Quite a few were out on their feet by the end, contributing in no small part to the final score. I know that they haven't played for a while, but neither have Edinburgh.

This 6N could be England's to lose it they're the only battle hardened side.

[normanski]

How many of that Cardiff team will be in the national squad? Quite a few were out on their feet by the end, contributing in no small part to the final score. I know that they haven't played for a while, but neither have Edinburgh.

This 6N could be England's to lose it they're the only battle hardened side.

Good partisan logic.. . no doubt Ireland and France will have a say in who wins the 6Ns.

Never write off Wales though! Even when our four regional sides are shite, the national side have a habit of picking themselves up and putting in a winning performance.

Ireland will be odds on favourites for the opener but Wales have often surprised the Paddies in Dublin.

Let’s wait and see.

[normanski]

Anyone think Irish ref, Frank Murphy, was terrible in the Edinburgh Cardiff game. He gave Cardiff very little with border line decisions going to the Scots.

Discuss.

[Sandydragon]

How many of that Cardiff team will be in the national squad? Quite a few were out on their feet by the end, contributing in no small part to the final score. I know that they haven't played for a while, but neither have Edinburgh.

This 6N could be England's to lose it they're the only battle hardened side.

If Ireland get on a roll then I’d still fancy them or France but covid is going to impact this a lot.

[Son of Mathonwy]

How many of that Cardiff team will be in the national squad? Quite a few were out on their feet by the end, contributing in no small part to the final score. I know that they haven't played for a while, but neither have Edinburgh.

This 6N could be England's to lose it they're the only battle hardened side.

Good partisan logic.. . no doubt Ireland and France will have a say in who wins the 6Ns.

Never write off Wales though! Even when our four regional sides are shite, the national side have a habit of picking themselves up and putting in a winning performance.

Ireland will be odds on favourites for the opener but Wales have often surprised the Paddies in Dublin.

Let’s wait and see.

Too right. While we can rely on our regions being crap, when the same players put the Wales shirt on they play on a different level. What is it, pride? Belief? Critical Mass?

The great mystery of Welsh rugby.

[Sandydragon]

It’s been the mystery for years. I know it was popular to criticise the time spent in the Welsh camp for poor regional performances but I think that only takes you so far. None of the regions have looked consistently strong since the Ospreys in their pomp years, and that now seems a long time ago.

They remain the poor relations but you can’t help that nagging feeling that they could be run so much better.