The recent inclement weather duly put paid to the much anticipated local derby between Bargoed and Pontypool. For me, it was a blessing in disguise as I had been laid low by a stomach bug and I was humming and hawing about whether to attend. It remains something to look forward to on a nice spring afternoon.
It was back to the couch then and Bath v Leicester. In
fairness, Bath gave a good account of themselves even though it was bottom v
top of the English Premiership. It was good to see Faletau easing himself back
into competitive rugby in his own understated way Wales have missed him that is
for sure. The game hinged on the power of the forwards on the Leicester bench
with the scrums proving to be decisive with Bath conceding too many penalties.
Leicester ran out bonus point victors in the end. Despite the weather and Bath’s
poor season, there was still a good sized crowd in attendance.
In the evening, it was the Ospreys at Leinster with
both sides shorn of their international players. Despite the poor weather,
Leinster ran the ball rather than just kicking it up in the air as we might
have expected. The Ospreys were on the back foot for almost the entire game but
defended with tremendous commitment and not a little skill. There was only ever
going to be one winner and that was the home side who eventually broke the
Ospreys‘ resistance to win 29-7. This of course is exactly the same score that
Ireland beat Wales by a couple of weeks ago. The similarities between the two
matches were there for all to see. Comfortable victories with only dogged
defence keeping the score down to reasonable proportions.
Next weekend Wales travel to Twickenham to take on
England. The victory over Scotland will surely have given the squad a big lift
but this is a daunting challenge at the best of times. I don’t expect too many
changes perhaps Wainwright and Jon Davies to start. It will be tough but you
never know!
Come on Wales!
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