After losing to the Ospreys it is starting to look like the Llanelli Scarlets’ season is already close to over.  The last gasp bonus point thanks to a Jonathon Edwards try meant they got to come away with something, but only the poor form of the Cardiff Blues has allowed them to keep in touch with any of the Welsh regions.  I haven’t checked the stats but I think that now makes it one win in 8 for the Welsh Wales region.
I have heard the excuses, most notably current injuries …

The Western Mail has again managed to outdo itself in poor journalism, this time with its efforts to cast light on poor attendances at the regions. Now don’t get me wrong, I do think things need to improve on that front, and in some cases rather drastically, but yet again the levels of investigation and consideration of all the facts leave a lot to be desired.
This is the artice that I am talking about.
Firstly let us look at what has to be the best line of the whole article…
A …

I was just reading that I could go to watch the Ospreys vs Viadana for a fiver.  Good piece of marketing that.  But in the same article something struck me as being a bit off.  Namely Ryan Jones’ comment.
For those that missed the fairly innocuous looking line it says
The match against Viadana is probably the biggest game of the season so far for the Ospreys.
Fair enough… or not. Well firstly I have my doubts. Of the season so far surely Leicester or Clermont Auvergne were more important, and bigger, …

There seems to be an odd feeling amongst some Welsh rugby fans at the moment.  It seems nothing is good enough.
Why do I say that?  Well the huge amount of complaints people seem to be making following on from the Ospreys (admittedly dire) 9 – 9 draw with Glasgow at the Liberty Stadium on Friday.
Some people, such as Demle Parfitt in the Wales on Sunday, and many others I have spoken to, feel that it is not good enough.  More they feel it shows everything that is wrong with the …

The Ospreys have decided that this game doesn’t matter, that can be the only explanation for the team that they have named vs the Cardiff Blues. Form players like James Hook and Nikki Walker have been dropped to the bench, whilst limited players who have struggled for form such as Andrew Bishop and Sonny Parker are playing – all but guaranteeing our back 3 won’t get any ball.
With the scrum in such bad shape the Ospreys have relied on their talented backline to do the business – this isn’t …

The Cardiff Blues have named their team to take on the Ospreys in Saturdays big Welsh derby match.  The big news is the welcome return of star flanker Martyn Williams – in time for game time before the autumn internationals.
Paul Tito also returns from injury and is selected on the bench.  Promising young flanker Sam Warburton is selected on the blindside with ‘nugget’ returning whilst Gareth Cooper regains a starting spot from Richie Rees at scrum half.
With the Welsh squad for the autumn internationals being named the day after a …

Following on from the earlier announcement of the Scarlets team for the Welsh rugby derby game – Llanelli Scarlets vs the Dragons, the Newport Gwent Dragons have also announced their side.
Dragons Captain and hooker Tom Willis returns to the side that features the likes of Welsh hopefuls Luke Charteris, Richard Fussel and Martyn Thomas. Jason Tovey has to make do with a place on the bench with Martyn Thomas as fullback and James Arlidge (the Kiwi Japanese) continuing at outside half.
Dragons team vs Scarlets
Martyn Thomas, Aled Brew, Tom Riley, …

The Scarlets have named their team to take on the Newport-Gwent Dragons this weekend.  No major surprises in the squad with Dafydd Jones continuing at openside flanker as one of the many players with Welsh hopes ahead of the Welsh squad for the autumn internationals being named on Sunday.
Other players with Welsh rugby hopes include Martyn Roberts the scrum half, who with Mike Phillips injured, Dwayne Peel potentially unavailable for the New Zealand game and the poor form of Gareth Cooper must certainly be in the thoughts of the Welsh …

No France Move for James Hook
James Hook has spoken to the Ospreys website and has assured fans that the rumoured move to France is based on nothing, and that, far from being unhappy with playing 12 he is happy to do his bit for the team.
Good news for Ospreys fans who were worried that next season might see the team without two of their most creative players – with Gavin Hensons future also uncertain.  Obviously you need to be aware of a certain level of spin, this is Hook talking …

The Cardiff Blues have made a late change to their team to take on Glasgow, with Leigh Halfpenny coming in for Ben Blair at 15. Halfpenny played a lot of his junior rugby at fullback, and a couple of Magners League games, so there are no major concerns about his ability to fit in there.
Good news for the Blues is that Ben Blair should be back for the Harlequins game in the Heineken cup, so no major concerns about his injury.
Have to admit that backline isn’t looking especially creative. …