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 …

And the winner of the poll question for which region will have the most successful season is – the Dragons!
Have to admit that I did not see that coming.  They achieved a narrow victory (of just  vote) over the Ospreys, with Cardiff Blues and Llanelli Scarlets tied for last place, well behind the top 2 regions.
Pretty much reflects the Magners league at the moment, though the Scarlets could point to their impressive Heineken cup results to suggest they could do something this season.
<h3>Final Votes</h3>
Dragons – 32 votes
Ospreys – 31 votes
Cardiff …

Morgan Stoddart, the Llanelli Scarlets full back, has been called up to the Welsh Autumn internationals squad following the withdrawal of fellow Scarlets back 3 member Mark Jones due to a knee injury.
Morgan Stoddart has very little game time following injury, has no form and, as far as I can see, the only reason for calling him up is he has played for Wales before (last game in 2008 vs Canada).  A view Robert Holwey seems to be supporting
“Morgan is an intelligent attacking player who will provide cover for us …

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 …

Dafydd James is a Cardiff Blues, Welsh rugby and British Lions player. A Welsh rugby legend he is also the top scorer in the heineken cup.


Of course such a legend of Welsh rugby deserves his own profile on the Welsh rugby blog!

Cardiff Blues have come in and signed former Welsh international and British Lions Dafydd James and All Black international Casey Lualua.


Good signings in my opinion, and ones desperately needed after Jame Robinson leaving for France and Welsh rugby international Tom Shanklin being out injured for the first part of the season.


But I think more is needed, read the article to see why.

Simon Easterby has been appointed the Scarlets forwards coach – and is far from the first player coach the Welsh Wales rugby region has appointed in its time.


But whilst the ‘old boy network’ may be alive and well this appointment has at least a chance of being a great choice. Easterby is a quality player who commands respect and admiration from the public and his fellow pros.


He has a hell of a job on his hands, trying to turn the Scarlets pack into a real force – but he has a fighting chance with the likes of David Lyons available to him. Fingers crossed he can manage it.

David Bishop is going on trial to Sale Sharks – where their Welsh Director of Rugby Kingsley Jones will be taking a look at him.


Ceiron Thomas is leaving the Scarlets to join newly promoted Guinness Premiership side Leeds – presumably to get some game time.


Good to see Welsh rugby players are still in demand over the border. We take a quick look here at the wto players and at the moves they are making.

Stephen Jones is one Welsh rugby player that seems to ceate a lot of controversy – odd for such a mild mannered 10.


Some consider him a Welsh rugby legend, whilst others don’t even consider him world class.


So we have to wonder – why are people seeing the same player so differently? What is it about him that has some people saying Legend whilst others saying ‘journeyman’?


We look at why that is, and why I consider him to be truly deserving of the phrase ‘Welsh rugby legend’.