URC Round 3 25/26

[dullonien]

Scarlets couldn't cope with the power game of Stormers. Ospreys really struggled last week too. They won't be the last sides this season either, these SA sides have so many powerful forwards.

However it does highlight a severe lack of powerful tight 5 forwards in Welsh rugby. We just aren't producing props who can scrummage, or locks who can physically compete with the best.

 

[dullonien]

I refuse to judge Hawkins' performance at 10 behind that pack. Scarlets were forced to go wide without any go forward from the pack. Ever time they tried to go through some phases with the forwards they were smashed backwards.

There were some shocking hands in there too, pullback passes to no one etc. Joe Roberts had a shocker at 13 etc. But the issue was up front. Plumtree, who wasn't perfect, was the only one showing some fight.

 

[dirty harry]

I refuse to judge Hawkins' performance at 10 behind that pack. Scarlets were forced to go wide without any go forward from the pack. Ever time they tried to go through some phases with the forwards they were smashed backwards.

There were some shocking hands in there too, pullback passes to no one etc. Joe Roberts had a shocker at 13 etc. But the issue was up front. Plumtree, who wasn't perfect, was the only one showing some fight.

I mean, i cant argue either this, there isnt a pack in wales, they are all powder puff.

Is this that wales cant produce tall, heavy powerfull forward? No. Its because the WRU systems dont encourage competition, aggression or power! The WRU want happy middle class mums, not happy young boys!

Hawkins at 10 looked awful, but with a caveat. The back 3 whondidnt get a caveat gave away field position constantly, every counter kick provided Stormers with territory.

Stormers did nothing of note, they were physical, kicked deep and mopped up the mess, that was all

 

[dullonien]

I mean, i cant argue either this, there isnt a pack in wales, they are all powder puff.

Is this that wales cant produce tall, heavy powerfull forward? No. Its because the WRU systems dont encourage competition, aggression or power! The WRU want happy middle class mums, not happy young boys!

Hawkins at 10 looked awful, but with a caveat. The back 3 whondidnt get a caveat gave away field position constantly, every counter kick provided Stormers with territory.

Stormers did nothing of note, they were physical, kicked deep and mopped up the mess, that was all

That's all they had to do v Ospreys too really. There really isn't a a pack in Wales atm! Even the promising youngsters aren't in the big nasty mould.

Look at the young Bristol tighthead, Sam Scott, excellent mobile prop, but struggled in the scrum against the big boys at U20 level, no change there!

Samson Lee was the last good scrummaging tighthead Wales produced, and he was the first one after Adam Jones. That's more than depressing!

 

[dirty harry]

That's all they had to do v Ospreys too really. There really isn't a a pack in Wales atm! Even the promising youngsters aren't in the big nasty mould.

Look at the young Bristol tighthead, Sam Scott, excellent mobile prop, but struggled in the scrum against the big boys at U20 level, no change there!

Samson Lee was the last good scrummaging tighthead Wales produced, and he was the first one after Adam Jones. That's more than depressing!

I dont think Lee was even very good, he was just agressive as a youngster.

 

[Tooting Carmen]

Scarlets couldn't cope with the power game of Stormers. Ospreys really struggled last week too. They won't be the last sides this season either, these SA sides have so many powerful forwards.

However it does highlight a severe lack of powerful tight 5 forwards in Welsh rugby. We just aren't producing props who can scrummage, or locks who can physically compete with the best.

Absolutely true. I attended the Scarlets match tonight. The pack was far too weak to deal with the Stormers.

 

[dullonien]

I dont think Lee was even very good, he was just agressive as a youngster.

He was a quality player, a very strong scrummager up until he did his achilles v Ireland in 2015. He never properly recovered from that injury unfortunately.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Think Peel needs to go to be honest.

 

[AlRums]

 

[Tooting Carmen]

I also attended Ospreys v Zebre. The former had their moments, but will need to improve to beat the better teams. That said, let's not forget that Zebre themselves have improved and won their first two matches. Certainly, the Italian teams are not the weaklings of old.

 

[AlRums]

Well Glasgow end with a penalty try in the last action, but a 49 point win is great.

 

[AlRums]

Anybody wishing to watch Cardiff v Connaught

It's live on iPlayer S4 in Welsh

And the S4Clic app in English

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Harry Byrne for Ireland

 

[Tooting Carmen]

"Thanks to Gethin Jenkins, Cardiff have nullified Connacht's attack tonight in the opening 32 minutes". Trouble is they haven't got much of one of their own.

 

[Tooting Carmen]

Striking how much of Cardiff's squad is now made up of ex-players from the other three Welsh pro teams.

 

[Tooting Carmen]

Cardiff held on, although the two disallowed Connacht tries were both close calls.

 

[dirty harry]

"Thanks to Gethin Jenkins, Cardiff have nullified Connacht's attack tonight in the opening 32 minutes". Trouble is they haven't got much of one of their own.

Just got home from the game, Connaught didnt really offer any sort of attack, id like to see the kicking stats from both teams.

Both seemed to nullify each other, kicked poorly, but at least Cardiff tried to play a bit, even if it was all in front of the defence.