Music is used in various sports these days, from pre-game music at a football or Rugby game to a walk-in song for the Darts or Boxing and it has a massive impact.
It is with such great sadness that we hear of Gerry Marsden’s passing.
Obviously the most common is Jerry and the Pacemakers’ anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone which is now sung before every Liverpool game at Anfield. It started when the late Gerry Marsden proposed it to Liverpool manager Bill Shankly before Liverpool’s 1965 FA Cup final at Leeds, where the reds fans sung it at Wembley. It really puts shivers down your spine listening to it, famously after Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona two years ago, where the players and staff stood in front of the Kop to sing it with the fans.
Image: Liverpoolfc.com
Stoke City sing Tom Jones’ iconic anthem Delilah at every home game also which has been a tradition since 1987. These footballing anthems really bring the fans together before a game to set a tremendous atmosphere which will certainly pump the players up before a game.
The author Karageorghis states ‘Based on his research, music can be like a performance enhancing drug. It’s just that intoxicating’. I know that before players step foot on the pitch when they’re sat in the changing rooms every team/individual will have one song which is always the last one they listen to before they play. Liverpool players Trent Alexander Arnold and Andy Roberston revealed that Liverpool listen to All of the lights by Kanye West.
Music is also big for individual sports such as Boxing and their walk-in songs. One that sticks out to me is Josh Warrington who’s from Leeds, he’s fought a lot of his fights at Elland Road. He always plays the song ‘Marching on Together’ which is a Leeds United song, followed up by Kaizer Chiefs ‘I predict a riot’. For an individual sport music will be so important to rally you especially for a sport like boxing to get you in the right state mentally.
Darts is also another individual sport which likes to put a show on with a walk in song. The players know how to work a noisy crowd which there always is in the darts.
The atmosphere this creates for fans in incredible and it inspires the players on the pitch.
The French international was a standout for Toulouse in their victory over Clermont. Baille worked tirelessly around the pitch and was important in helping his side win a few scrum penalties. He also showed his handling ability throwing several offloads about in a confident performance.
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster)
It was a tough choice at Hooker with Kelleher and Luke Cowan-Dickie both putting in impressive performances. However, it was the Irishman who edged it in a thrilling and intense match. He showed his International quality with his defensive work and ball carrying.
3. Uini Atonio (La Rochelle)
Atonio performed admirably in a dominant pack. He was strong at scrum time, giving his opposite number Bevan Rodd a tough day at the office. Lasted nearly an hour and was taken off with the result in sight.
4. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
His side may not have won, but they put in some performance against the newly crowned Pro14 champions. He made 15 tackles, won a turnover and offered himself as a constant ball carrier. Mr consistent, and fully deserving of a place in my side two weeks in a row.
5. Will Skelton (La Rochelle)
The Australian has been a big signing for La Rochelle, a big man who threw his weight around on Saturday. Was just one of a number of standouts from a terrific European performance, putting Sale to bed comfortably.
6. Jack Conan (Leinster)
Played in his usual position of Number 8 but gets in on the flank. Was great in the contact area showing his physicality, put a shift in with ball in hand making over 40 metres. A special mention to Exeter’s Dave Ewers who is very unlucky not to be in the team himself, after working tirelessly in a match of test match standard.
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
He will be making a late claim for a spot on the Lions tour, did himself no harm this weekend. He was a constant threat at the breakdown, winning two turnovers. Also made 22 tackles in a relentless performance.
8. Victor Vito (La Rochelle)
He’s 34-years-old and still performs at the highest standard. His offload to set-up Gregory Alldritt’s try was sensational. The man is also a great leader and is helping guide this La Rochelle side into what is turning in to a memorable European campaign.
It wasn’t a typical Dupont performance, but it was still vital in Toulouse’s win in Clermont. His kicking game was impressive, and he controlled the game alongside half- back partner Romain Ntamack.
10. Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeuax–Begles)
The guy is phenomenal. A 55-metre kick at the death to send his side into their first ever Heineken Champions Cup Semi-Final shows his quality. Apart from that he kicked six other penalties in a mature display. The Frenchman knows how to control games when his side is ahead, putting his team deep into the Racing half on several occasions.
Matthieu Jalibert with a MONSTER of a kick to win it at the death! ☄️🎯
The Springbok scored two excellent tries in a phenomenal second half display. The first cutting straight through the Sale defence to score under the posts. The second came after Simon Hammersley failed to gather Brice Dulin’s kick, allowing Rhule to capitalise on his hesitation to increase his side’s advantage.
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)
After a terrific Six Nations campaign, Henshaw has carried that into his club form with Leinster. Always an option to carry off 10, but his defensive work is his main quality, constantly stepping up in defence as pointed out by Sam Warburton in commentary. Deserves to start the first test on the Lions tour after a great 2021 so far.
13. Geoffrey Doumayrou (La Rochelle)
I could’ve picked the whole La Rochelle backline, which shows how impressive they were. Doumayrou thoroughly deserves his spot here, taking two tries very well and was always a constant threat with ball in hand.
14. Tom O’Flaherty (Exeter Chiefs)
The story of this man is incredible, Rob Baxter discovered this gem while he was playing in the Welsh Premiership for Bridgend Ravens. He scored two early tries, splitting the Leinster defence to put his side 14-0 up. He’s been so important to the success of the Chiefs in recent years and deserves all the plaudits he gets.
He may have missed an early tackle on O’Flaherty, but he made up for it later in the game. A stunning offload helped James Lowe cross for his try, as well as a pass which helped send Jordan Larmour over. Stepped up after a cagey first ten minutes.
Former Pontypool RFC Prop Graham Price has a place in Welsh rugby history, being part of the ‘Viet Gwent’ Pontypool front row alongside Charlie Faulkner and Bobby Windsor.
Price was born in Egypt, with his father in the services, however he attended West Monmouth Grammar School.
Price recalled the start of his career at Pontypool, “I played three matches for them while I was still in school and the club weren’t doing very well at the time, sitting three from bottom of the Championship. The following year, Ray Prosser’s first in charge we finished rock bottom. However, within two years we won the Championship, without an international player in the team.
“I remember the match announcer who was secretary at the club, Bob Jeffreys. He used to announce at half time if the weather wasn’t very good, that all the people who were standing on the bank could go and sit in the stand, because there weren’t that many people there. Once we started to win games that bank would be packed right up to the tree line.”
On his relationship with Faulkner and Windsor, “We had our little arguments like anyone would, but it was always enjoyable playing together. We were a very compact front row, in fact I was the tallest and I’m only 5’11 an the other two were 5’9, but that helped us get underneath our opponents. Charlie was very competitive, he was a black belt in Judo and that always came in handy!
“We knew each other’s strengths, I think we all could’ve played for Wales sooner. But the way the Welsh selectors were at the time they used to pick the more mobile prop forwards. At the time the Welsh struggled with the scrum, but they seemed to pick players who stood out in the loose, that wasn’t solving the problem.
Over the course of a two-year period me and Charlie were the seventh and eight props to have been picked for Wales.”
Price made his Welsh debut in the Five Nations against France in 1975, scoring a memorable try running from inside his own half to gather a kick. “Everything just clicked in that game, we had six new caps including me and Charlie. Some people would’ve called my try a fluke, but I always worked hard, and I was quite fit, so I like to think I deserved it. I’m glad I made my debut with Charlie and Bobby alongside me, half the Wales pack were Pontypool players.”
On some of his best moments in a Welsh shirt he said, “My first five years were incredible, we won the Five Nations four times, including the Grand Slam twice and the Triple Crown in four consecutive seasons. It was a pleasure to be a part of the golden era of Welsh rugby.”
Price holds the record for the most consecutive Lions test appearances by a prop with 12, coming on the 1977,1980 and 1983 tours.
“1977 was the most memorable for me. When I was young, I used to wake up early hours of the morning and tune into the radio to listen to the match commentary of the Lions.
“I never once dreamt that I would be a British Lion, my ambition was to play for Wales, but once you get in the Welsh team that’s the next thing on the horizon. Being a Lion back then you used to go away for over three months, we wouldn’t just play a few matches either we would play about 24 games.”
The sport didn’t turn professional until 1995, so players had to get time off work to tour. “Luckily on my first Lions tour I was still a student, so it was all my choice really. For my second and third tours I was employed by Cwmbran Fibreglass. They were supportive of me, the company was based up north in St Helens. They allowed me all the time off I needed for rugby, they even paid me every penny I would’ve been paid if I was working.”
Price spoke about Pooler’s current situation, still playing in the Welsh Championship. “It’s very frustrating, if it hadn’t been for COVID they would’ve been promoted the season just gone. They’ve got some big plans, they’re revamping the stand and the facilities at the Park.
“The Jeffreys family have been amazing for the club, Peter has been a Pontypool fan for years. Also, Ben as the CEO is doing a great job running the club as a business and leaving the rugby to the rugby people and it’s worked.”
We also chatted about the current Wales set up and Price had his say on the Head Coach. “I think Wayne Pivac’s been a bit fortunate, the law changes regarding tackling and contact to the head, you would never have had those players sent off previously. If it wasn’t for the red cards, we wouldn’t have won those games. However, he and Stephen Jones have got the back-line firing.
“I’m not so keen on Jonathan Humphreys with the forwards, even when we were playing against packs with seven forwards, we were still coming off worse up front. I feel a bit for Byron (Hayward) when he was made to resign as defence coach, I thought he couldn’t do much as we were so poor in other areas it would just put more pressure on the defence.”
Head injuries seem to be prominent in rugby nowadays, even with the new laws in place. Price recalled back in his days where it was unheard of “I don’t remember ever being concussed in my career, even when I broke my jaw out in Australia.
“A lot of the forwards back then used to be manual workers, like Bobby and Charlie who were both in the Steelworks. I was chatting to the Orthopaedic surgeon at Pontypool recently and he said that the players back in my time were a lot stronger because of their work. Nowadays they’re told to go to the gym and bulk up, I think they look stronger than what they are.”
Picking out some of his toughest opponent’s one sprung to mind immediately. “Gérard Cholley of France. He came out of the army and he was the French army boxing champion. French club rugby back in those days was particularly vicious.
I was watching a clip of him the other day from when he played Scotland, he just laid one guy out. He came round the side of the ruck and just punched him, right in font of the referee. He only gave a penalty, you can’t get away with that now you’d be straight off. I have to say Fran Cotton was a tough player, but I had the pleasure of being his teammate for the Lions.”
In picking out some of his favourite teammates, he was quick to mention the name Moss Kean. “In those days it was a beer culture, you’d play rugby in the afternoon and go out on the beers in the night. He was more like that than anyone, he wouldn’t just go for a pint, he’d go for a gallon. He was always at the centre of the drinking games.”
The former tight head keeps himself busy with After Dinner Speaking and is also an Ambassador and Vice President at SOS Kit Aid. A charity that works with World Rugby to supply kit to countries and areas where they are short of kit. We’ve delivered to places like Samoa and Fiji after they had a Tsunami and lost all they’re stuff. It’s a really good charity.”
An action-packed weekend of rugby in the European Champions Cup showcased how much talent is on display in the Northern Hemisphere’s premier club competition. Here is my XV of the weekend below.
1. Peni Ravai (Clermont)
This man put some shift in at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday. The 18st 10lbs Prop moves like lightning for his size. He carried effectively making 57 meters in total, including a superb try. His work rate was excellent and was typified at the breakdown winning a turnover in his 65 minutes on the field.
2. Camille Chat (Racing 92)
France are spoilt for choice at hooker with Chat and Toulouse’s Julien Marchand. However, Chat was phenomenal against Edinburgh in Paris. He carried the ball 18 times, beating several defenders along the way. He was a nuisance around the park for the Edinburgh defence. He was deservedly taken off just after the 50-minute mark, rested ahead of the quarter-final against Bordeaux next week.
3. WillGriff John (Sale Sharks)
The Welshman is on his way to the Scarlets next season and proved his worth against them on Sunday. He worked tirelessly around the park in a dominant Sale pack. Was also very solid in the scrum, winning a few penalties against arguably Wales’ best scrummager in Wyn Jones. Tomas Francis nearly snuck in here with a cameo off the bench for Exeter, giving Lyon all sorts of problems at scrum time.
4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Wasps may not have beaten Clermont, but they gave them one heck of a game, and Launchbury outstanding. The captain led from the front, disrupting the Clermont lineout and made tackle after tackle in a strong defensive effort. Unfortunately for him his side couldn’t hold on right at the death.
5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
The Chiefs pack is always strong, and Hill was their standout performer this weekend. He scored two tries and proved his worth to this team over the 80 minutes. Exeter struggled early on going 14-0 down, but his first try got them back in the game.
Go Jonny Go!!
Jonny Hill powers home for our first try of yesterday's 47-25 Champions Cup victory over Lyon yesterday.
The England international played at openside for Sale, however his performance warranted that he couldn’t be left out of this side. He was as dynamic as ever, competing at several breakdowns and giving the Scarlets problems in both attack and defence. Fully deserving of a place on the Lions tour to South Africa this summer.
7. Kevin Gourdon (La Rochelle)
He set up the opening try for Dillyn Leyds with a brilliant offload, which was just a glimpse of this man’s talent. He was excellent at the breakdown and made 82 metres with the ball in hand. In an all-round fantastic team performance, he was easily the best player on the pitch.
8. Jordan Joseph (Racing 92)
Racing may have been without the mercurial Finn Russell, but they were terrific on their way to a 56-3 thumping of Edinburgh. Joseph displayed many touches of class throughout, his hand-off on Duhan van der Merwe and offload to Machenaud for his try was sublime. He topped off an impressive performance scoring a try of his own.
This was as tough a call as the other half back position. Racing’s Maxime Machenaud was excellent along with Lyon’s Baptiste Couilloud. However, de Klerk was a class above the rest this weekend. His kicking game was terrific, but what stood out most was his work rate defensively. He repeatedly flew out of the line to pressurise the Scarlets, forcing mistakes and casuing panic in the West Walians in a landslide victory for the Sharks.
The Sharks are feisting 😋
AJ MacGinty on his toes to capitalise on the Scarlets mistake 👟
There were some terrific performances from several Fly Halves this weekend. None more so than MacGinty’s 32-point haul in Sale’s demolition of the Scarlets in Llanelli. The USA international also kicked 11 from 11 and orchestrated the Sharks attack. As if scoring 32 points wasn’t enough, he also made 12 tackles, the most of any Sale player. French pair Romain Ntamack and Matthieu Jalibert both deserve an honourable mention, pulling out stellar performances. Ntamack was a nuisance for the Munster defence and was very strong in the air, while Jalibert played beyond his years with a masterclass in control and game management. However, MacGinty’s flawless record off the tee edges it.
11. Matthis Lebel (Toulouse)
The 22-year-old has been in scintillating form in the Top14 this season scoring 12 tries. He showed his ability this weekend with a brilliant finish after a perfectly weighted kick from Romain Ntamack. Also, his sidestep to sit down JJ Hanrahan to set up Antoine Dupont’s try was sensational, deserving a place in this team for that alone.
OH WHAT A STEP! 😱
Toulouse at their blistering best as Matthis Lebel leaves his defender in the dust before feeding Antoine Dupont!
The Fijian has it all, great footwork, a terrific offloading game, along with brute force. His offload to set up Arthur Retière’s try was terrific. He carried well, repeatedly crossing the gain line and chipped in defensively winning two turnovers.
13. Remi Lamerat (Bordeaux-Begles)
Played with the number 12 on his back, he had to deal with one of the most prolific centres in world rugby in Semi Radrada. He nullified the Fijians threat pretty well alongside centre partner Pablo Uberti. However, the French International stood out with his effective ball carrying by crossing the gain line on many occasions.
14. Teddy Thomas (Racing 92)
Thomas once again showed what a lethal finisher he is in Racing’s thumping of Edinburgh. He had a relatively quiet first half before proving his worth in the second, crossing for two tries. He offered himself as a ball carrier numerous times to give his team front foot ball. A special mention to Munster winger Keith Earls who also scored twice this weekend, one a terrific finish, but he was just edged out by Thomas for me.
15. Dillyn Leyds (La Rochelle)
The South African was an ever-present attacking threat for the French outfit. He grabbed himself an early try with some good support work and made 86 metres in an impressive performance before being replaced due to a head injury.
21-year-old Rowland Kaye from Maesteg currently plays for As Carcassonne in the French Elite One Championship. He made his debut for the club last weekend, scoring a try in his side’s 46-16 victory over Palau XIII Broncos.
Kaye scoring a try on his AS Carcassonne debut.
Kaye has previously been offered trials in Australia, but due to COVID he couldn’t go, as a result he decided to look closer to home.
On how his move to Carcassonne came about Kaye commented, “I’m signed up with Srama Rugby League Recruitment agency and they were able to get me an offer from an Elite Two club Lescure. At the same time, I was approached by the coach of Montpellier Sharks who offered me a deal to fly out In December but due to COVID that wasn’t able to come through.
“I then messaged Carcassonne directly and luckily was able to sign under medical grounds where a previous player had been ruled out for the season, so they were able to offer me a train and trial contract for a month. Just under two weeks in I was offered a full contract until the end of the season.”
On how he’s handling the language barrier he said, “Trying to make conversation with other teammates is difficult but not impossible. I’m trying my best to pick up the language with online learning, however It’s been helpful that there are a few English speakers from Fiji, Samoa, England and Ireland.”
Kaye spoke about his time with West Wales Raiders, “I never regret anything or look back on my experience as a negative, although I played 37 games in League One and only won the one, I can still look at it as a positive as from the age of 18 I’ve played 37 games at Semi-professional level.
“I always used to ask myself why I wanted to play. People have said in the past to just quit, but it came down to a personal thing, people said you’re not good enough, you should throw in the towel and it crossed my mind far too much throughout the two and a half seasons I was there. But I wanted to prove to myself that the next week I would perform better.
“Coaches like John Ellis and Kim Williams were huge inspirational leaders for myself as I understood them, got where they were coming from and I was able to form a very close player coach relationship, which I think is hugely sought after if you want an individual or a team to succeed. “
Kaye in action for Wales RL U18’s
Speaking about how he got into Rugby League, “I turned up for South Wales trials in 2016, having not played much rugby league before and fell in love with the game. I was selected in the team and then the same season went on to play for Wales U’16s followed by U’18s, Students and GB pioneers up until todays date. I feel I suit rugby league better with the bigger tackles, high intensity skill-set and majorly high fitness levels.”
The Maesteg born player who used to play Rugby Union for Tondu spoke about how he took aspects from his game in Union to League. “Angles of running is so heavily focussed on in Rugby League and I was able to grasp it quickly due to Union. Also, in all sorts of Rugby it’s the same, you want to hurt your opposition on the field but afterwards you have a pint together.”
The forward is hoping for a Wales cap soon, “A senior Welsh International cap is what I’ve dreamt of since putting the Wales U16’s jersey on. Remembering how great it felt back when I was 15 to represent my country, it would be amazing to get a call up to the first team. I just need to keep pushing on, learning off experienced players and hopefully my time will come.”
International Women’s Day is an important day in society. This year the theme is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”.
According to the UN Women website “Women are Heads of State or Government in 22 countries, and only 24.9% of national parliamentarians are women. Women are also at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19, as front-line and health sector workers, as scientists, doctors and caregivers, yet they get paid 11% less globally than their male counterparts.” The Big Issue stated that “Women are paid on average 24 per cent less than men.”
This day is celebrated to support equality. This year it’s rallying for generation equality, to act for an equal future for all. British Athlete Morgan Lake summed this up perfectly by saying, “International Women’s Day plays a valuable role in changing the perception of girls in sport, and this year, following the pandemic, it’s message of female empowerment is more important than ever.
“I was fortunate in that I could look at athletes like Jess Ennis-Hill and Christine Ohuruogu as role models.
“With more women’s sport on the television, there are more opportunities for girls to discover their own role models, and this is absolutely crucial in inspiring the next generation of female athletes to keep going.
BT Sport’s Sarra Elgan spoke about her role working in a male environment. “I feel like I have to do a little more… make sure all bases are covered, that if somebody asks me something then I know the answer to that question.”
“I don’t know if that’s because of my personality – that I like to be thorough – or whether it’s subconsciously because I’m a woman working in a male environment.
“But I think I’m really fortunate in rugby. I’ve never experienced any discrimination because of my gender. It sounds a bit cliché to say a rugby family, but it genuinely is.”
EXETER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 07: BT Sport presenter Sarra Elgan Easterby during the Aviva Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers at Sandy Park on November 7, 2015 in Exeter, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Elgan also mentioned how the perspective on Women in Sport has changed, “Female athletes and female broadcasters are seen more – for our daughters to see them and want to be them. That’s down to putting more female sports on TV and brands with campaigns with female athletes in them and this is so important. I hope it gets even better in the years to come.”
20 -Year-old number 8 Morgan Strong has been making big strides in his development while playing with the Bridgend Ravens. The Wales U20’s star is on the Ospreys books but was given the chance to play in the Premiership with the Ravens last season.
On his time with the club he said, “Playing for Bridgend in the Prem last year was a huge learning curve for me as a young player in my first season of senior rugby. It was a great achievement to play for my hometown in Wales’ top league of rugby, and to have the chance to play regular rugby each weekend at this standard was massive for me.”
Strong spoke about how important the Senior players in the Ravens squad were in helping his development. “Playing with some of the players in the squad last year was hugely beneficial to me, plays like Gar Harvey, Ben Davies, Nath (Edwards) and so on made it an enjoyable season. It was always easy to have a chat and they made it easy for me to settle into a new squad. Also, the way they review games and the things they look at helped me as a younger player to see how they look at the game.”
Morgan’s father Nathan is no stranger to Premiership success having played for Bridgend and Pontypridd and Aberavon in the league, lifting the Welsh Cup with the Ponty in 2006. Morgan spoke about his relationship with Nathan, “I have a good relationship with my old man, he comes to watch most of my games and is always there to offer feedback on my performance, and the team’s. He also gives me advice on where he feels I could improve, it’s important to have a good family network around you who will be honest with your performance.”
The Tondu RFC product has been around the Ospreys senior team for the first time this season. “It’s been great to have my first season with the Ospreys, seeing how senior rugby works and how the boys train day in day out. This gives me a good insight into what the future can be like. There are so many big names in the Ospreys pack, Tipuric and Lydiate to name a couple, working with them daily will benefit me hugely. I’m keen to learn as much off people like that as possible, but with not much rugby being played this year the time has been used to develop physically and keep improving my game in training.
Strong starred in Wales’ U20’s Six Nations campaign last year, scoring tries against France and Scotland, and starring in defence. “Playing for Wales U20s last year was huge for not only me but my family, despite having played age grade previously this was my first cap which made it that little bit more special. Being in that sort of environment is very moreish, once you get a taste of it you want it more and more. The most memorable moments for me would be beating France and England, both massive games in front of good crowds which made them great games to be involved in.”
Having not played any Rugby at all so far this season with the Premiership being postponed Strong still remains ambitious, “With the way this season has turned out the only aim for me at the minute is just to get back to playing rugby as soon as possible.”
JD Welsh Premier League side Penybont FC have backed partners SONY’s take initiative campaign by banning plastic bottles from their stadium.
After gaining promotion to the Welsh Premier League last season Penybont are now part of Welsh elite football. The club are backing a climate change campaign by SONY UK. The club’s financial director Anthony Davies is the man behind the effort to fight against climate change. “The plastic rubbish in our bins infuriated me. We recycle at home and yet everyone ignores the discipline in the stadium,” said Davies when asked about what urged him to back this campaign.
Davies went on to say “It was enough, so I decided to take the lead. The ban is permanent, enforcement is a challenge.” Davies also hopes “other stadia support our initiative”. Penybont are the first club in the league to back this initiative and hope many others follow.
Last week was the club’s first game since the ban was put in place. Penybont welcomed Cardiff Met to the SDM Glass Stadium in the Welsh Cup. On whether the fans have jumped onboard Davies said, “I’m not sure yet, we will have to keep up the awareness. Hopefully more fans will back it in the coming weeks.”
On how the campaign could spread through the community, “It can only help the awareness of the community.” It’ll only be a positive thing if the campaign can spread through the community and even further adrift. Davies hopes that the governing bodies such as the FAW and WRU can “support our initiative so that it becomes the norm and not a campaign.”
The European Competitions began this weekend, with many outstanding games taking place. The Scarlets and Dragons are taking part in the European Champions Cup, while Cardiff Blues and Ospreys are participating in the second tier Challenge Cup. Read how they all got on below.
Scarlets
The Llanelli based region travelled to Bath on Saturday afternoon to open their campaign. They were without several Welsh Internationals including Liam Williams, Rhys Patchell, Johnny Williams, Johnny McNicholl, Ken Owens and James Davies. However, the young Scarlets side began the game excellently with Gareth Davies scoring early on his 200th appearance for the region after great work from Steff Evans. Bath’s experience told late in the first half where the boot of Ben Spencer and Ruaridh McConnochie’s fine try gave them a 14-10 lead at the break.
The home side began the second period as they finished the first, on the front foot, as Will Stuart scored. The West Wales side hit back after a great burst of pace and offload from Rob Evans setup Kieran Hardy to score a converted try to give them a one-point advantage. The boot of Leigh Halfpenny extended their lead to 23-19 before an attacking onslaught from Bath in the final few minutes. Halfpenny managed to hold the ball up over the line before Ben Spencer came up just short of the line in the final minute. The Scarlets thoroughly deserved their victory and it will give them a real boost for the visit of Toulon on Friday.
Final Score: Bath 19 – 23 Scarlets
Standout Player: Jac Morgan – The backrow was influential in his battle with Sam Underhill at the breakdown and chipped in with 15 tackles in a big defensive effort.
The Gwent side were facing last season’s Gallagher Premiership Finalists Wasps at Rodney Parade. Hours before kick off the Dragons were dealt a blow after two positive Coronavirus tests ruled out six players from the initial squad. Ashton Hewitt, Aaron Wainwright, Lloyd Fairbrother, Harrison Keddie, Leon Brown and Matthew Screech were all withdrawn. The Dragons struggled at scrum time early on with Aaron Jarvis being penalised on a few occasions. However, Jarred Rosser’s yellow card for a no arm tackle cost them as Wasps hooker Tom Cruse opened the scoring. Pacey scrum half Dan Robson also scored in Rosser’s sin bin period to give Wasps a 12-3 lead at the break.
Jonah Holmes hit back for the Dragons after good work from Jamie Roberts while Wasps were down to 14 men. Wasps scored their third in the 70th minute through Jack Willis and secured their bonus point a few minutes later with a Thomas Young try. Dean Ryan will be proud of his team’s effort, they were in the game till the last ten minutes when fatigue kicked in. They will face a tough task next weekend when they travel to Bordeaux.
Final Score: Dragons 8 – 24 Wasps
Standout Player: Ben Carter – The 19-year-old second row only made his first start for the region last weekend against Glasgow. He impressed again this week with his defensive work and came up with a lineout steal playing opposite international duo Joe Launchbury and Will Rowlands.
The Blues opened their Challenge Cup campaign away to a Newcastle side who made a raft of changes. Hallam Amos opened the scoring after good play from the Cardiff back line. Newcastle replied with a try from George Wacokecoke after a sensational 40 metre run from hooker Jamie Blamire. Sam Stuart scored Falcons’ second just before the break to give Newcastle a 17-13 lead at half time.
The Blues responded with a try after the break, Amos gathered his own kick and offloaded to Tomos Williams who crossed, while Jarrod Evans kicked two penalties. Joel Hodgson slotted a penalty for Newcastle with 5 minutes to go before the away side were awarded a penalty try to seal the win after Mark Wilson pulled down a maul. The Blues will host Stade Francais on Sunday.
Final Score: Newcastle 20 – 33 Cardiff Blues
Standout Player: Hallam Amos – The Blues Winger was very impressive scoring and creating a try. He will hope to kick on from this performance and earn a place in Wayne Pivac’s squad for the Six Nations campaign in February.
“We really built into game. We started well, lost a little bit of direction in the second part of the first half, but 20-3 in the second half saw us home"
John Mulvihill was pleased with the second half display as Cardiff Blues kicked off the Challenge Cup campaign with a win pic.twitter.com/eAzv1dD4k3
The Ospreys began their Challenge Cup tournament at home against French side Castres. Veteran fly half Stephen Myler kicked two early penalties to Thomas Fortunel’s one. George North provided the spark that was needed for the Ospreys just after the 20th minute with a break that finished with Shaun Venter scoring. Returning Wales hooker Sam Parry scored two tries before the break on his 100th appearance for the region, both from driving mauls.
Castres improved after the break and were rewarded with a Kevin Kornath score. Dan Evans sealed the bonus point for the home team after good work from Matt Protheroe. Adrien Amans grabbed the French side’s second before Luke Morgan finished the scoring for the Ospreys. They travel to Sixways next week to take on Worcester Warriors.
Final Score: Ospreys 39 – 15 Castres
Standout Player: Matt Protheroe – The Winger has made a real impression since joining from Bristol. He was lively as always causing the Castres defence real problems out wide.
The Autumn Nations Cup is now underway, and Wales fell to yet another defeat to Ireland. They will host Tier two side Georgia at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.
After losing six games in a row, many will say the game against the Georgians is a must win for Wayne Pivac, however the Kiwi had said that he wants to give all players game time this autumn. Here is my pick of players that should start on Saturday.
Louis Rees-Zammit
The 19-year-old from Penarth lit up the Gallagher Premiership last season for Gloucester, being named Young Player of the Year. Welsh fans were delighted with his call up for the Six Nations, however he didn’t grace the pitch. His single cap came in a cameo off the bench against France last month. England Coach Eddie Jones tried tempting the youngster to play for them on residency grounds, however the Gloucester flyer has always said that Wales is his country.
With Pivac likely to make changes, Rees-Zammit is surely going to earn his first start in International rugby. With the back three expected to be rotated, the speedster is the name on everyone’s lips, so you should expect to see him start on Saturday, possibly beside George North on the other wing.
I love 🏴 ❤️
— Louis Rees-Zammit ⚡️ (@LouisReesZammit) March 15, 2020
Johnny Williams
The centre only signed for the Scarlets in July, however he had impressed Pivac beforehand while playing for Newcastle Falcons. He has represented England at Under 20 level and also made an appearance for the senior team in an uncapped game against the Barbarians. In 2019 Williams revealed he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer, so he took time out of the game. However, since his return he has committed to Wales by signing for the Scarlets and will represent the country of his father this autumn.
Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins have both had the opportunity to prove they’re good enough to be Hadleigh Parkes’ replacement. It’s only fair that Williams gets his chance, starting this weekend. I’d expect him to line-up alongside Tompkins in the centre with Jonathan Davies struggling with injury. The Wales centre shirts are still all up for grabs and Saturday could be vital for Williams.
Callum Sheedy
The outside half has been on fire for Bristol this season, winning the European Challenge Cup and making the Premiership Semi-final. He has been integral to the way the Bears play and loves to spot a gap in midfield. He has been tipped to be Dan Biggar’s long-term replacement, as the former Osprey will be 34 by the time the next World Cup comes around.
Sheedy represented Wales and Ireland at age grade level and was also selected for England in an uncapped match against the Barbarians. However, it didn’t take long for him to decide to play for the country of his birth after a quick chat with Pivac. After making his debut off the bench in Dublin last week, he now deserves the opportunity to show what he can do from the start.
A very surreal feeling and I’m overwhelmed with pride. Thank you everyone for the kind messages and I’m really excited to get going.
But first.. we got some trophies to win @BristolBears !!!!!! 🙌🏼🐻🏆
The Carmarthen born scrum half made a real impression for the Scarlets last season in the absence of Gareth Davies who was away with Wales. An academy product of the West Wales region he left to join the Jersey Reds in 2016 before returning home two years later. Hardy’s had to learn the hard way leaving home and going elsewhere to develop, but now the decision looks like a great one.
Now known for his running support lines, he’s a regular in the Scarlets squad battling Davies for the nine jersey. He was rewarded by being named in the autumn squad and has been waiting patiently for his opportunity. Hardy must’ve thought his chance had come when Rhys Webb was ruled out of the Scotland clash, however Pivac decided to name Lloyd Williams on the bench who wasn’t in the original squad. Hardy deserves a start this weekend, with Wales backline not getting enough quick ball, he and Sheedy could be the spark to inspire them to a result this weekend.
Sam Parry
The Wales set-piece has struggled so far this autumn, with Ryan Elias’ darts not hitting his targets enough Saturday could be a big day for Ospreys hooker Parry. He’s been an ever present for the Ospreys in recent years and his strong performances were rewarded this season. He earned his first cap off the bench at the Stade de France and his second a week later against Scotland.
The former Coleg Sir Gar product should start in the middle of the front row this weekend, with Elias underperforming and Elliott Dee not favoured by Pivac. His presence at the breakdown could be another big factor in why he should start Saturday, with Wales being outperformed there so far this autumn. Parry has a chance to claim his spot as Ken Owens’ backup with a big performance this weekend.
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