The players and teams to watch as the PRO14 kicks back into gear
THE new season kicks-off this weekend with all four Welsh regions in action as the Guinness PRO14 campaign begins.
Cardiff Blues and the Dragons are in action tonight, away to Zebre and Leinster respectively, while the Scarlets host Munster on tomorrow, with the Ospreys travelling to Edinburgh.
Former Wales centre Tom Shanklin and ex-ospreys coach Sean Holley will be providing commentary on the PRO14 for Premier Sports.
Here are their thoughts and predictions as the new season gets underway.
WHO ARE THE BEST PLAYERS AT THE WELSH REGIONS?
TOM SHANKLIN: At Cardiff Blues, it has to be Josh Navidi. It has been for as long as I can remember, every week. He just has such a big impact in games.
He gives that physical edge, that presence, that carrier ability, he’s a big hitter as well. Just every game is 100 per cent from him. He can play across the board in the back row and they look far better with him on the field. They are going to lack a big carrier now with Nick Williams retired, but although Josh isn’t the same size as Nick he can still hit and carry just as hard.
With the Dragons, I go for Nick Tompkins. I know he’s not played much internationally but he’s played a lot of big games for Saracens and he’s exactly the type of player they need. I like his aggression, I like his footwork, I like his driving in contact.
Justin Tipuric has to be the best player at the Ospreys, just because of the level he plays for them and for Wales. It doesn’t drop. He’s not one of these that saves himself for international level. He’s the captain, he’s got high levels that he sticks to. When Johnny Mcnicholl gets back
fit, he will be really important to the Scarlets. He’s one of these players that will do something magical. He’s so tall, he’s so rangy, with great pace and a great offload. He’s got the best offload in the league I think.
I prefer him on the wing rather than 15. He sees a lot of ball there because that’s the type of game the Scarlets play.
WHICH YOUNG PLAYERS SHOULD WE WATCH OUT FOR IN WALES?
TOM SHANKLIN: I really like the look of Taine Basham at the Dragons. He’s aggressive, great over the ball, he’s like a tank the way he runs. He’s compact, with a low centre of gravity. Great attack, great defence. He just ticks all the boxes and is what you want from a back rower. He’s a little bit like Sean O’brien. They are not tall but so explosive and carry so well.
I think Jim Botham could be one this year as well. When I saw him play against the Ospreys at the end of last season, that’s the first proper glimpse I’ve had of him and I was so impressed with him as the game went on. SEAN HOLLEY: One guy I am looking forward to seeing at the Ospreys is Harri Morgan, the scrum-half. If Rhys Webb is going to be away with Wales a lot, is this a guy that could step up? He’s
definitely shown pedigree as a youngster and is one that’s been tipped.
At the Scarlets, Sam Costelow is an obvious one. I saw him as a young lad play for Pencoed School against my son and he just ran the show. I watched him for Wales U20s last season and he seems to have a bit about him.
WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING FROM THE FOUR WELSH TEAMS THIS SEASON?
SEAN HOLLEY: They should all be looking to get to the knock-out stages of the PRO14. They have to. You have got to set those targets. What’s the point of entering these competitions otherwise?
Since Connacht won the league a few seasons ago, there’s no excuse for anyone. It’s a long convoluted season, there are times when you can pinch wins, you can manufacture and attempt to get losing bonus points and try bonus points. There are opportunities.
You might not win it, but you have got to put yourself in with a chance.
The Scarlets are arguably the best squad of the four on the paper. They narrowly missed out last season and they will be gunning for it this time around.
With the Dragons, there is a sense of expectation with the signings they have made. The question is
can they kick on. Can they get into a knock-out stage, can they get into Europe?
The pressure is on the Ospreys. They decided to bring in a new coaching team. They have got very experienced players. I think Ospreys fans are demanding knock-out rugby. They have been starved of it for too long.
The question mark with the Blues for me is the balance of their squad. Their recruitment is too one-sided for me. They are exciting to watch but there is potentially a target area for the opposition, particularly big Irish and Scottish sides, to take them on up front. They are a bit young in that department for me.
Who are favourites to win the Guinness PRO14?
SEAN HOLLEY: Over the course of the season, you have to go for Leinster, when you look at the strength in depth they have shown, with 52 or 53 players used last season. It’s the games outside the international windows that tend to win you the titles and Leinster handle those periods very efficiently. They have got great youngsters so you can’t look much further than Leinster.
Who will push them? I think maybe the Scarlets, along with Edinburgh if they get back up after a bit of a shaky return.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE GROUND IN THE PRO14?
TOM SHANKLIN: Thomond Park is the one. As players, you feed off atmosphere and there is no better atmosphere than Thomond Park in Limerick. It just has that look about it. I would imagine my playing record there was terrible! I don’t think I won there, but you are still impressed by it. That’s my favourite. SEAN HOLLEY: I like to going to the Kingspan in Belfast. I think it’s a fabulous stadium and when that’s full, it’s great. Passionate supporters, friendly people, a nice facility and I liked Thomond Park as a coach.
So I would probably say those two ,with Kingspan edging it.
WHICH TEAM HAS THE MOST TO PROVE THIS SEASON?
TOM SHANKLIN: The Ospreys. For so many years, they were the flagship of the Welsh regions, but they have become a shadow of what they once were.
Finishing bottom of Conference A with just two wins for a team of the quality of the Ospreys that’s not good enough.
They need to do a lot better. They have been littered with mistakes and I’ve not really been able to tell what they are trying to do on the field.
So as much as I don’t want to pick a Welsh region, the Ospreys have to be the team with most to prove. They have got so many quality players. I am hoping we can see them back to the heights they were six, seven years ago.
Tom Shanklin and Sean Holley will be part of the Premier Sports team bringing live coverage of the opening weekend in the Guinness PRO14. Premier Sports are again showing every PRO14 game live this season.
Rugby fans can subscribe to the channel on Sky or the Premier Sports Player and sign up via www.premiersports.com.