United Rugby Championship

[Graigwen]

I did not see the Cardiff game, but all the others were a bit stuttering, as one would expect.

Scarlets were unlucky not to win.

Ospreys looked technically better than Dragons but deserved to loose. Dragons can take a lot of satisfaction from that gritty effort, they never gave up. It was good to see Brown back at tight head, but he still gave too many penalties away.

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[Sandydragon]

I did not see the Cardiff game, but all the others were a bit stuttering, as one would expect.

Scarlets were unlucky not to win.

Ospreys looked technically better than Dragons but deserved to loose. Dragons can take a lot of satisfaction from that gritty effort, they never gave up. It was good to see Brown back at tight head, but he still gave too many penalties away.

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You feel
It’s a big season for Brown. He needs to remain fit and have a run of form to hit his potential. Massive asset for dragons and wales if he can stay fit.

[Graigwen]

You feel
It’s a big season for Brown. He needs to remain fit and have a run of form to hit his potential. Massive asset for dragons and wales if he can stay fit.

Absolutely. I think his form comes automatically when he gets a good run of games without injury. If he stays fit he not only improves Dragons but also gives the national side a different type of alternative at tight head. On the worse side, another couple of injury hit seasons and he could just disappear without trace without ever fulfilling his potential.

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[Son of Mathonwy]

Cardiff got the job done against very raw opposition. Sheedy got some nice try assists early on.

The scarlets did well, almost beating the strong Italian side. Great pressure kicking from Lloyd and nice for him to get another game at 10.

The Ospreys should have won that but unforgivably failed to get a point with an extra man or match the intensity of the dragons at the end. Well done Dragons, playing the full 80+ minutes.

[Sandydragon]

Cardiff got the job done against very raw opposition. Sheedy got some nice try assists early on.

The scarlets did well, almost beating the strong Italian side. Great pressure kicking from Lloyd and nice for him to get another game at 10.

The Ospreys should have won that but unforgivably failed to get a point with an extra man or match the intensity of the dragons at the end. Well done Dragons, playing the full 80+ minutes.

I thought Sheedy went fairly well in a first game for a new club, with what ball he actually had. I’m really hoping that he can do a job for the national team and give space for our younger fly halves, or converted centres, to grow into the position.

[Sandydragon]

Another mixed bag in round 2. Good result for the Ospreys and Cardiff. Maximum points is a good start regardless of the opposition.

Dragons outclassed in the second half away to Leinster. Probably not a game targeted by the management.

Scarlets don’t seem to be the sum of their parts yet. Peel needs to turn that around soon or he’s gone n my opinion.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Another mixed bag in round 2. Good result for the Ospreys and Cardiff. Maximum points is a good start regardless of the opposition.

Dragons outclassed in the second half away to Leinster. Probably not a game targeted by the management.

Scarlets don’t seem to be the sum of their parts yet. Peel needs to turn that around soon or he’s gone n my opinion.

Great performance and result for the Ospreys given the opposition. I was not expecting a win for them for weeks after the Dragons match, given tough run of Stormers, Munster, Bulls and Ulster they faced. MOM could have gone to several of them, excellent effort. The half backs are both making a case for Wales selection (loved that try!)

Well done Cardiff digging in after a disastrous start. Costelow's kicking really cost the Scarlets; sorry Peel you really need to let Lloyd do it. Entertaining game - better attack than defence.

No surprise or great shame for the Dragons, that's where they are compared with Leinster.

[Graigwen]

Scarlets don’t seem to be the sum of their parts yet. Peel needs to turn that around soon or he’s gone n my opinion.

I had just thought that a few minutes before reading the post. Even when Scarlets play well, there feels like a fragility lurking behind, ready to break through at any moment.

The reverse is often (not always) true of Dragons. I did not think their performance against Leinster was as bad as commentators made out, they never realistically going to win out there.

In the fly half competition, Sheedy is ahead of Costello, at the moment.

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[Wallpaperman]

Dragons pretty unlucky tonight, albeit it was a weaker Sharks selection

[Sandydragon]

Reality has bitten.

For the neutral a cracking Cardiff game but the home side must be seriously wondering at their defence.

Dragons, so close but not quite. There an upward tick there for sure but need to be more clinical when an opportunity presents or else convert pressure into points.

Llanelli. Will Peel survive to Christmas? Close game for sure but that surely was a game they would have targeted for a win.

Ospreys. Losing away to Munster is no disgrace even if the hosts aren’t the force they were. But getting killed is a bad result.

[Wallpaperman]

Reality has bitten.

For the neutral a cracking Cardiff game but the home side must be seriously wondering at their defence.

Dragons, so close but not quite. There an upward tick there for sure but need to be more clinical when an opportunity presents or else convert pressure into points.

Llanelli. Will Peel survive to Christmas? Close game for sure but that surely was a game they would have targeted for a win.

Ospreys. Losing away to Munster is no disgrace even if the hosts aren’t the force they were. But getting killed is a bad result.

Dragons and Scarlets were close, but that was a disappointing result for the Scarlets. I have time for Connacht, they never go away, but if the Scarlets want any sort of half decent season they have to win games like that. They have recruited some decent front five players and should be doing better. Not sure that they have the money to dismiss Peel, but that is an appointment that hasn’t worked. Such a shame for the that Brad Mooar left.

Have only seen highlights of the Cardiff match and couldn’t believe how poor the defence was for a number of the Glasgow tries. The WOL has been talking up Sheedy, and especially Ben Thomas, but they didn’t do themselves any favours on Friday. Overall Cardiff were slightly unlucky as they had to go down to 14 after both hookers were crocked.

Ospreys made quite a few changes to bulk their side up for the Munster game but they had a nightmare start and were playing into the wind and rain in the first half where they ended up 18 nil down. I agree that is a stinker of a result, getting nulled, but I expect them to bounce back.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Reality has bitten.

For the neutral a cracking Cardiff game but the home side must be seriously wondering at their defence.

Dragons, so close but not quite. There an upward tick there for sure but need to be more clinical when an opportunity presents or else convert pressure into points.

Llanelli. Will Peel survive to Christmas? Close game for sure but that surely was a game they would have targeted for a win.

Ospreys. Losing away to Munster is no disgrace even if the hosts aren’t the force they were. But getting killed is a bad result.

Dragons and Scarlets were close, but that was a disappointing result for the Scarlets. I have time for Connacht, they never go away, but if the Scarlets want any sort of half decent season they have to win games like that. They have recruited some decent front five players and should be doing better. Not sure that they have the money to dismiss Peel, but that is an appointment that hasn’t worked. Such a shame for the that Brad Mooar left.

Have only seen highlights of the Cardiff match and couldn’t believe how poor the defence was for a number of the Glasgow tries. The WOL has been talking up Sheedy, and especially Ben Thomas, but they didn’t do themselves any favours on Friday. Overall Cardiff were slightly unlucky as they had to go down to 14 after both hookers were crocked.

Ospreys made quite a few changes to bulk their side up for the Munster game but they had a nightmare start and were playing into the wind and rain in the first half where they ended up 18 nil down. I agree that is a stinker of a result, getting nulled, but I expect them to bounce back.

Tough for the Scarlets and Dragons to lose those close matches. Cardiff I didn't see but yeah the scoreline suggests that defence is not enough of a priority. Ospreys - I thought they'd get something back in the second half but it was hugely disappointing that they lacked the firepower to score a single point, with a gale at their backs. Poor.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Reality has bitten.

For the neutral a cracking Cardiff game but the home side must be seriously wondering at their defence.

Dragons, so close but not quite. There an upward tick there for sure but need to be more clinical when an opportunity presents or else convert pressure into points.

Llanelli. Will Peel survive to Christmas? Close game for sure but that surely was a game they would have targeted for a win.

Ospreys. Losing away to Munster is no disgrace even if the hosts aren’t the force they were. But getting killed is a bad result.

Dragons and Scarlets were close, but that was a disappointing result for the Scarlets. I have time for Connacht, they never go away, but if the Scarlets want any sort of half decent season they have to win games like that. They have recruited some decent front five players and should be doing better. Not sure that they have the money to dismiss Peel, but that is an appointment that hasn’t worked. Such a shame for the that Brad Mooar left.

Have only seen highlights of the Cardiff match and couldn’t believe how poor the defence was for a number of the Glasgow tries. The WOL has been talking up Sheedy, and especially Ben Thomas, but they didn’t do themselves any favours on Friday. Overall Cardiff were slightly unlucky as they had to go down to 14 after both hookers were crocked.

Ospreys made quite a few changes to bulk their side up for the Munster game but they had a nightmare start and were playing into the wind and rain in the first half where they ended up 18 nil down. I agree that is a stinker of a result, getting nulled, but I expect them to bounce back.

Tough for the Scarlets and Dragons to lose those close matches. Cardiff I didn't see but yeah the scoreline suggests that defence is not enough of a priority. Ospreys - I thought they'd get something back in the second half but it was hugely disappointing that they lacked the firepower to score a single point, with a gale at their backs. Poor.

Obviously, if MacCarthy had been carded for his high speed high tackle to Hopkins early on that might have helped us (officials not interested). Reckon Beirne gave the ref a pat on the head afterwards for his sympathetic refereeing of their breakdown work. Personnel-wise it's always better to have Tips on the pitch and I think we missed Walsh's creativity. But we still would have lost....

[Wallpaperman]

Dragons and Scarlets were close, but that was a disappointing result for the Scarlets. I have time for Connacht, they never go away, but if the Scarlets want any sort of half decent season they have to win games like that. They have recruited some decent front five players and should be doing better. Not sure that they have the money to dismiss Peel, but that is an appointment that hasn’t worked. Such a shame for the that Brad Mooar left.

Have only seen highlights of the Cardiff match and couldn’t believe how poor the defence was for a number of the Glasgow tries. The WOL has been talking up Sheedy, and especially Ben Thomas, but they didn’t do themselves any favours on Friday. Overall Cardiff were slightly unlucky as they had to go down to 14 after both hookers were crocked.

Ospreys made quite a few changes to bulk their side up for the Munster game but they had a nightmare start and were playing into the wind and rain in the first half where they ended up 18 nil down. I agree that is a stinker of a result, getting nulled, but I expect them to bounce back.

Tough for the Scarlets and Dragons to lose those close matches. Cardiff I didn't see but yeah the scoreline suggests that defence is not enough of a priority. Ospreys - I thought they'd get something back in the second half but it was hugely disappointing that they lacked the firepower to score a single point, with a gale at their backs. Poor.

Obviously, if MacCarthy had been carded for his high speed high tackle to Hopkins early on that might have helped us (officials not interested). Reckon Beirne gave the ref a pat on the head afterwards for his sympathetic refereeing of their breakdown work. Personnel-wise it's always better to have Tips on the pitch and I think we missed Walsh's creativity. But we still would have lost....

Unbelievable that the Hopkins ‘tackle’ didn’t get punished. Agreed though, it wasn’t the Ospreys’ night, especially after the disastrous start. Probably not the weather for Walsh to show off his skills either, but in general I prefer him as a full back. I was at Rodney Parade for the Dragons game and Walsh was outstanding.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Tough for the Scarlets and Dragons to lose those close matches. Cardiff I didn't see but yeah the scoreline suggests that defence is not enough of a priority. Ospreys - I thought they'd get something back in the second half but it was hugely disappointing that they lacked the firepower to score a single point, with a gale at their backs. Poor.

Obviously, if MacCarthy had been carded for his high speed high tackle to Hopkins early on that might have helped us (officials not interested). Reckon Beirne gave the ref a pat on the head afterwards for his sympathetic refereeing of their breakdown work. Personnel-wise it's always better to have Tips on the pitch and I think we missed Walsh's creativity. But we still would have lost....

Unbelievable that the Hopkins ‘tackle’ didn’t get punished. Agreed though, it wasn’t the Ospreys’ night, especially after the disastrous start. Probably not the weather for Walsh to show off his skills either, but in general I prefer him as a full back. I was at Rodney Parade for the Dragons game and Walsh was outstanding.

Not in Ireland. I know we don't get any of the 50/50s but it would have been nice to get a 90/10.

Thought we knew how to play in the rain. Maybe only rain and mud.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Morgan Morris has been told what he has to do to get a Wales call up.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... t-30115170

Better both sides of the ball . . . more involved?

Basically everything he already does but . . . better??

Poor guy.

[Wallpaperman]

Morgan Morris has been told what he has to do to get a Wales call up.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... t-30115170

Better both sides of the ball . . . more involved?

Basically everything he already does but . . . better??

Poor guy.

Just one of those players whose face doesn’t fit with Gatland.

[Sandydragon]

Morgan Morris has been told what he has to do to get a Wales call up.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... t-30115170

Better both sides of the ball . . . more involved?

Basically everything he already does but . . . better??

Poor guy.

Just one of those players whose face doesn’t fit with Gatland.

It does seem that way. Not sure what more he can do other than pray for the post Gatland era.

[Sandydragon]

Another close loss for the dragons. Gutting to get a result like that. Two game we could (perhaps should) have won. It is an improvement on getting stuffed by everyone, but I really hope we can sort out our continued problem with fading in the last 20.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Another close loss for the dragons. Gutting to get a result like that. Two game we could (perhaps should) have won. It is an improvement on getting stuffed by everyone, but I really hope we can sort out our continued problem with fading in the last 20.

Yeah, gutting for the Dragons to lose that close game.

The Ospreys were on top for most of that game. Shame about the first 23 minutes though. My God.

Scarlets/Cardiff was fun. For the neutral it was nice to see the Scarlets get quick revenge. Lloyd is looking pretty sharp now - it was interesting to see him up against Sheedy.

[Sandydragon]

Dragons lose again. Our powered up front by a Benetton team that on paper looks pretty tidy for a club side.

Llanelli claim a good win. The last 2 result a must buy a bit of time for Peel.

Ospreys stuffed. Yes lots of injuries, but are they really firing on all cylinders? I have a feeling that the coach transition plan isn’t working. Might be better to ask Booth to take gardening leave and leave it to Jones.

Cardiff. After a bright start it’s back to earth with a bump.

After this weekend,

Ospreys 16th
Dragons 14th
Scarlets 10th
Cardiff 9th

[Son of Mathonwy]

Dragons lose again. Our powered up front by a Benetton team that on paper looks pretty tidy for a club side.

Llanelli claim a good win. The last 2 result a must buy a bit of time for Peel.

Ospreys stuffed. Yes lots of injuries, but are they really firing on all cylinders? I have a feeling that the coach transition plan isn’t working. Might be better to ask Booth to take gardening leave and leave it to Jones.

Cardiff. After a bright start it’s back to earth with a bump.

After this weekend,

Ospreys 16th
Dragons 14th
Scarlets 10th
Cardiff 9th

Dragons and Cardiff had disappointing results. The Dragons put in a good performance but Cardiff didn't really show up.

Scarlets really put the Ospreys to shame with that one, a really welcome and unexpected win. Hope Gatland was looking closely at these in-form players, the backs especially should feature for Wales.

Ospreys. That was a seriously weakened team, especially in the forwards, but someone needs to tell Booth that letting the opposition get a 4 try headstart before starting to play is not working for them. A really disappointing lack of cutting edge, an almost Wales-like inability to score points. Bottom of the table. Given the opposition I didn't expect more than 1 win from the first 5 matches, but it's still pretty poor. Easier matches come later in the season . . . (I'm trying to be positive).

Nice to see Giles back, though.

[newgalesurf]

Feels much better to be talking of close losses for the dragons than the shellackings they used to get. Hopefully this experience will help them get over the hump and into the win columns soon.

Can only carry the title of plucky losers for so long

[Sandydragon]

Feels much better to be talking of close losses for the dragons than the shellackings they used to get. Hopefully this experience will help them get over the hump and into the win columns soon.

Can only carry the title of plucky losers for so long

Agreed. Ultimately they need to win games. There is improvement but until we can start winning games, the Dragons are in a weak position.

[Sandydragon]

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.