Francis joins an exclusive club, but where does it all leave the Welsh regions?
IT was a weekend when Tomas Francis joined the exclusive band of Welshmen to have lifted the European Cup.
It was also a weekend when Callum Sheedy showed his class to steer Bristol Bears to European Challenge Cup glory.
Two Welsh women stood out for their club, with one dazzling, and there was much debate about Nigel Owens after the Champions Cup final.
MARK ORDERS looks at the winners and losers...
WINNERS
WILL CARLING
There was a time during his stint as England captain when Will Carling faced a challenge to please all on the western side of the River Severn.
But many who know the former centre will testify that he has his plus points.
They were to the fore over the weekend when he rode in to commend
Nigel Owens after a Heineken Champions Cup final which saw the Welsh official attracting flak.
Some on social media had taken issue with some of the Welsh referee’s decisions during a match that threw up a number of challenging calls, while others praised him for his handling of proceedings and staying calm under pressure.
Carling was in the latter group, countering those who were on Owens’s case.
His hymn of praise pointed out that the game had been great and contended that the man in charge had come up with a “brilliant” display.
Support like that amid criticism of another says a lot about the person offering it.
JASMINE JOYCE AND MANON JOHNES
Two Welsh women were to the fore on the opening weekend of the Allianz Premier XVS season.
Jasmine Joyce once again reminded us why her admirers consider her one of the most exciting acts in Welsh sport. The electric wing scored a trademark try for Bristol Bears Women which saw her speed clear of two onrushing Exeter Chiefs defenders before clever footwork did the rest. Her touchdown led one writer to sum her up with a single word: dynamite. The player-of-thegame award went to Manon Johnes after a dynamic display from the back row. Bristol finished victors at Sandy Park.
TOMAS FRANCIS
He came on with 25 minutes to go and spent the final 10 minutes on the sidelines after being shown a yellow card.
Tomas Francis (circled) must have been praying that the offence that led to his sin-binning would not cost his club Exeter Chiefs the game as Racing 92 threatened a try in the final minutes. It didn’t.
Exeter held out and Francis finished the match as a winner.
It could so easily have gone the other way, but let’s be generous and say after six seasons at Sandy Park and much effort expended, the big man deserved his winners’ medal.
SAM HIDALGO-CLYNE
24-22
He’s a former Scarlet and he’s been around the houses over the past few years trying to settle his career.
But Sam Hidalgo-clyne came up with one of the moments of his career on Saturday which earned him many backslaps from grateful team-mates.
Tomas Francis would doubtless have been first in the queue to toast him afterwards.
For it was Hidalgo-clyne who saved the day for Exeter as Racing looked to move in for the kill in the final minutes. The replacement scrum-half pounced for a turnover that allowed the Chiefs to clear their lines as the French side scented victory.
On such moments are trophies won and lost.
CALLUM SHEEDY AND DAN THOMAS
Callum Sheedy warmed up for the autumn Tests with an exceptional display for Bristol in their European Challenge Cup final win over Toulon.
The new Wales squad member put over eight kicks from as many attempts to finish with 22 points as the English club claimed a 32-19 success.
Sheedy also controlled matters with aplomb.
His was a display that would have delighted Wayne Pivac.
Nor should we forget flanker Dan Thomas.
The Welsh selectors might have done exactly that over the years, but the Carmarthen man also enjoyed a memorable evening, finishing top tackler for Bristol and carrying impressively, too. He’s enjoyed
another outstanding season.
LOSERS UNSTEADY TEDDY
Teddy Iribaren had done exceptionally well to earn selection over Racing 92 colleague Maxime Machenaud for the Heineken Champions Cup final against Exeter Chiefs.
But that’s where the good news ended.
The scrum-half produced a firsthalf display so riddled with errors that he ended up being subbed at half-time. It happens. Sadly for Iribaren, it happened in a European final, and it cost his team.
FINN RUSSELL
It was a big stage and those blessed with star quality usually perform when it matters.
But Finn Russell will want to forget the Heineken Champions Cup final.
He’s a player of sublime skill but he made too many mistakes which ultimately cost Racing 92 against Exeter Chiefs.
You were left wondering where the drop-goal was as Racing 92 pressed for victory in the closing stages.
They were bang in front of the sticks at one point, but no-one pulled the trigger.
None of which made it a happy day for the Scot.
It was a shame because he has talent to spare and is a wonderful player to watch.
WELSH REGIONAL RUGBY
The key reasons why no Welsh region is there or thereabouts in Europe any more are well documented.
No Welsh professional side has the financial clout to assemble a squad of sufficient quality and depth to properly challenge.
Even so, it must pain all concerned to have been onlookers on finals day once again.
The challenge is to find a way to increase funding while keeping four regions. Is that an impossible ask? We’ll leave that question hanging.
THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
How can we put this? South Africa are world champions and won the Rugby Championship the last time it was played.
They have also now pulled out of this year’s competition.
To say it won’t be the same is a serious candidate for 2020’s Understatement of the Year award.