Survival of the Fittest

My busy social programme meant that I was restricted to three just rugby matches this weekend - unfortunately none of them involved Pontypool but never mind.

First up was Wales v Scotland in Cardiff. The 16.50 kick-off meant that there was more time for lunch which could have adversely affected my memory of the game – so apologies for any inaccuracies. I have to say I really enjoyed the match and I am sure that having the roof of the stadium closed helped both sides to play some good rugby. Whenever I watch Scotland I wonder how they lose so many matches. I know that, like Wales, they have restricted playing resources but they certainly do not seem to lack in size or ability on an individual basis.

While Wales were probably the stronger side on the day, Scotland certainly proved pretty difficult to subdue. In the end it came down to belief as Wales, who have become used to winning in the Six Nations, had the poise and confidence to create the winning scores. It was not only the team that believed that they would win but also the supporters and I am sure that the sentiment gets transmitted to the players. Scotland for their part are on a long losing streak and their long-suffering supporters feared the worst as the match progressed and their early promise was eroded. If Wales had been in a similar position when playing against one of the Southern Hemisphere giants, we would probably have lost as the roles would be reversed.

Overall Wales played better than the previous week and there were impressive individual performances from Roberts and North which tipped the balance. It was a real shame that we let Scotland score right at the end to make the final score so close and I am sure Sean Edwards will have a word or two to say about that. 

There is still a lot of room for improvement at the breakdown and in the guile of our attack and the squad will have a tough fortnight in prospect before taking on the French. I didn’t see the France v Ireland game but it sounded pretty brutal. The French will certainly present a different sort of challenge when they come to Cardiff. The kick off on the Friday at 20.05 means that there is time for a really long lunch! You need to get the nourishment in for the long trip home although I have heard that there will be soup kitchens provided in the queues outside Cardiff Central Station.

The Italy v England match went very much to script and the press could almost have written the match report before the kick-off. Italy are competitive for around an hour against the better teams and look a force to be reckoned with. After this, the difference in physical conditioning and the comparative strength of the replacements’ benches really take effect. So in the end England ran riot and won handsomely enough. There is no doubt that England are firm favourites to win the Championship and the workers in the MBE factory must already be licking their lips at the prospect of all that overtime if England win the Grand Slam. Let’s hope the Irish can stop the chariot in a couple of weeks as Wales did in the RWC.

My last match of the weekend was Munster v Ospreys from the Pro 12. It was a lively and entertaining game with the Ospreys just sneaking it. Of course both sides were shorn of their international contingent, but it was good to see some of the less experienced squad members have a chance. It was also good to see Rhys Webb make his comeback after his leg injury. He looked really sharp but finished the game with blood streaming form his head after a wild challenge on a Munster centre - let’s hope he is OK. Sam Davies continues to impress as does Underhill for the Ospreys who at times played some really good rugby.

There was just time for Scrum V before rugby fatigue set in. A couple of hours of Vera was just the antidote for all the blood and guts of the weekend. (I mean Vera the TV programme by the way)

So next weekend we should be back to normal service with Pontypool visiting Bridgend Athletic. This is never an easy place to play and Pooler cannot afford a slip-up in their bid for promotion.

Come on Pooler!