Saturday Morning Covid Blues

There is not much rugby to be had at the moment so I was pleased that the Scarlets v the Cardiff Blues was televised. There is no doubt that the Cardiff Blues deserved to win a low-quality affair. It is worrying that, with the Six Nations Championship just around the corner, so many top players failed to live up to expectations. There were more injuries to Wales squad players but on the positive side it was great to see Ken Owens and Josh Navidi return after long term injuries. Whether either them will be fit enough to start in a full-blooded test match in a couple of weeks has to be in doubt.

There was little to cheer about for the neutral Welsh fan with injuries to Hill, Wyn Jones and Tomos Williams plus the early departure of Jon Davies a cause for concern. For the record, Cardiff Blues won 10-13 with Botham named man of the match - perhaps the man of the match was drawn out of a hat as to my mind no one really deserved the accolade. I am sure that Dai Young will be delighted that his new charges got off to a winning start but that perhaps sitting in a nice warm car in a traffic jam for the first part of the match wasn’t so bad after all.

Given the current injury list in Welsh rugby, the Welsh squad did not really contain many surprises. It is a shame though that there was no room for Ioan Lloyd who is one of the most exciting players I have seen this season. There would seem to be little point in selecting Dan Lydiate if he is not going to feature in the match day squad and you could easily see a return to the balanced Lydiate, Faletau, Tipuric back row with Navidi on the bench. I would go with Ball and Beard in the second row (Alun Wyn assumed unavailable) and Wyn Jones, Ken Owen and Tomas Francis in the front row. Half backs: Gareth Davies and Biggar (Tomos Williams and Callum Sheedy/Jarrod Evans on the bench). Without the banned Liam Williams the back three could be Halfpenny, Adams and North (Rees-Zammit on the bench). I think the centres are the biggest headache – Jon Davies is still not the player he was but will probably get the nod. Johnny Williams, Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins have not been too impressive of late so this is a close call with Williams showing the best form in the Autumn internationals. Could Sheedy or North be an option in the centre? As always, I will be completely wrong as so much depends on desired style of play and fitness.

There is always a lot of concern about building for the next World Cup. Does anyone truly believe Wales can win the World Cup? A quarter final place is about par with anything more than that a great performance. Failing to get out of the group stage is unacceptable. For my own part, I would far rather us do well in the Six Nations year in year out so I would not worry about picking experienced players to form the nucleus of the team even if they are the wrong side of thirty.

First up for Wales is Ireland at home. As always, this will be a tough game but you feel that this is one that Wales need to win if they are to make any impression on the tournament. Scotland, Italy and France away and England at home will follow - Covid permitting. Wales will have it all to do to win more than one of these fixtures. In the absence of a crowd, home advantage is somewhat diluted so there is no help from the fervent Welsh supporters.

I know it sounds pessimistic but this is how I feel at the moment. I guess I am in need of some of that old Pooler magic to cheer me up.

Win or lose I will still be behind Wales all the way – remember we can still field six or seven British Lions in the team.

Come on Wales!

Begrudgement Day

 After quite enjoying a feisty encounter between Bristol and Newcastle, I remained glued to the couch to watch the Scarlets take on the Dragons. This was a huge disappointment I am afraid. You got the distinct impression that on New Year’s Day and in the absence of a crowd those who had turned up didn’t really want to be there at all. Wayne Pivac took his leave at half time as he probably had some paint drying that needed watching. It was a real shame as conditions were good and I had been looking forward to a close hard fought local derby. Even Nigel Owens failed to up the entertainment value of a drab mistake-ridden affair.

There were a shedful of injuries it is true which certainly didn’t help. The loss of Basham and Holmes for the Dragons were probably the most hard felt as they had been the two players who had added a bit of sparkle to proceedings. Thank goodness the game ended with a moment of optimism when Costello, a late substitute for the Scarlets, showed a touch of class when he scored a last minute try. The Scarlets duly ran out winners 20-3 – a score line which rather flattered them.

I have to confess that I did flick over now and then to watch a compelling darts match between Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney. It comes to something when darts is infinity more entertaining than rugby. For the record Price won in a final leg decider.

I didn’t watch the Cardiff Blues v the Ospreys as I am not a Premier Sports subscriber and I had lost control of the TV by the time the highlights were on.  The game ended in a victory for the Ospreys 3-17 so the West came out on top.

It doesn’t seem as if there is much to be optimistic about from a Wales perspective from yesterday’s fare with the Six Nations just around the corner. But as ever you never know – stranger things have happened.

I am sure like me you will be glad to see the back of 2020. This wretched Covid 19 pandemic has had a major impact on my life. No live rugby, no holidays, no gym, may seem small sacrifices in the grand scheme of things but they have had made me an even grumpier old man. On top of this, I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer which I could well do without. Still there are people worse off than I am and my heart goes out to those who have suffered the most serious consequences of them or their loved ones being infected with Covid 19.

2021 has surely got to be better hasn’t it?

Stay safe everyone.