Sunday, May 28, 2017

Scarlets worthy winners of the PRO 12!

 Scott Williams 2013 (cropped).jpg
 Scott Williams

Well, it's been a depressing few weeks watching the semi final and final for me, as first Leinster and then Munster fell away. But however well or badly they played, that shouldn't take away from an outstanding few weeks for the Scarlets, who have always had all the players, but just haven't until now managed to string the results together. It's good for the PRO12 to have a Welsh team winning the title.

To me the key to their success was scrum half Gareth Davies, and centers Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams. the wings did well too, but it was the centers that took advantage of the space generously provided by Munster. Leinster, Munster, Ireland, there seems to be a problem on the edge of our defenses.

For Munster, I thought Zebo was excellent, but  apart from that, Munster, as with Leinster, couldn't find the variety in their play to properly unlock the Scarlets defense.

Elsewhere, Exeter claimed their first ever Aviva Premiership title with a win over Wasps - also good for the game over there.

Finally, I watched the dullest ever Barbarians match. Unsympathetically reffed, England playing a boring conservative gameplan - the  crowd should have got a refund!

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Munster for the PRO12 final...just about!

 Donnacha Ryan

The Pro 12 finishes this weekend with a chance for Munster to complete a remarkable comeback after finishing 6th last year. It's been a season of highs and lows, but they have a fantastic opportunity to claim some silverware for the first time in five years. And it would a fitting send off for Donnacha Ryan, who's been a fantastic servant to Munster.

They had better not underestimate the Scarlets though, even if Leinster didn't turn up last week, the Scarlets have some great players, and are pretty difficult to defend against. I'd expect and hope that Munster win, but it could be a pretty close match.


Saturday 27th May
Guinness PRO12
Munster 18:15 Scarlets