The XV we’d pick based on who shone and who stuttered on PR014 derby day
The Scarlets and Cardiff Blues emerged triumphant from the two big derbies in Wales over the weekend, tuning up nicely ahead of Champions Cup engagements this coming weekend.
But there were also some pluses for the Ospreys and the Dragons.
Who were the top-performing players from the four regions on the day? Which Welsh players stood out and who fell back ahead of Warren Gatland’s autumn series selection? Did any imports star?
Here, MARK ORDERS team of the two games... picks a
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets)
THE Wales and Lions man is 30 in two months’ time and so isn’t going to start bolting a series of mod cons onto his game.
But if ever you fell from the top of a high-rise building, he’d be the man you’d want below to do the catching.
Dependability is what he does best and he was assured under the high ball against the Ospreys.
He read play intelligently, nailed all his goal-kicks and saved a try with some sharp covering in the corner. He also looked to join attacks. There was nothing new here, no sudden late-career flowering into a Welsh Israel Folau, but there was a lot of good in Halfpenny’s game, too.
In the opposite corner, James Hook let no one down, while Jordan Williams performed nicely for the Dragons, mixing his game up, though he was stretched in defence for Owen Lane’s second try.
14. Owen Lane (Cardiff Blues)
THERE were some excellent performances out wide, none more so than from the big and powerful unit that is Lane.
The Cardiff Blues youngster scored one try with half of Newport on his back and also did excellently for his second, while he tackled soundly throughout.
Over at Parc y Scarlets, George North was a handful whenever possession came his way -- which wasn’t often in the second half -- and did well to touch down his try, though not every home fan would see it that way.
Tom Prydie fronted up before picking up an injury, while Jason Harries made three clean breaks for Cardiff Blues but should have converted at least one of his opportunities.
13. Kieron Fonotia (Scarlets)
GOOD Fonotia ran beautifully and set up a try for Johnny McNicholl.
Bad Fonotia allowed Cory Allen to scythe past him for a try.
Nonetheless, the positives outweighed the negatives as the hard-running former Osprey made a point against his old region, walking off with the official man-of-the-match award.
The most impressive centre for half a game in Newport was Adam Warren, who made five clean breaks, achieved a turnover and covered 89 metres while putting in eight runs. He looked less comfortable after being shifted out wide and was on the scene when the Dragons failed to claim a key restart in the second half, but, overall, he can be happy with his effort.
12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys)
HADLEIGH Parkes became increasingly influential for the Scarlets against the Ospreys, but Owen Watkin was the full package in defence for the visitors.
He made 21 hits and didn’t miss a single one, and there were also several possession strips.
The shame for him was that he had few opportunities with ball in hand after the break.
11. Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets)
IT would be a crying shame if this bloke goes through his career without playing Test rugby.
Someone ought to tell him as much.
Whenever McNicholl, who qualifies for Wales after the next World Cup, has the ball he is a threat.
He picked a lovely inside line for his try and his combination of pace, awareness, intelligence and opportunism adds up to a defender’s nightmare.
Luke Morgan? The diminutive Osprey will want to remember his try and the four men he beat with one early carry, but he should have made more of a one-on-one against Rhys Patchell. He was in credit, though, as a player who looks to make things happen.
10. Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues)
THERE were some quality offerings from the No. 10s in the two derbies.
Rhys Patchell scored a try, had a hand in Johnny McNicholl’s touchdown and showed once again he knows how to attack. A bump to the head didn’t help him, but he would have impressed Rob Howley in Llanelli.
Howley should also have been pleased with the effort of Sam Davies.
He has been out of favour but he kicked well tactically when he had a platform in front of him, only to end up starved of ball after the break. In Newport Josh Lewis showed some nice touches but perhaps the classiest fly-half act of all was Gareth Anscombe.
Calm and composed throughout, the official man of the match at Rodney Parade distributed nicely, made telling breaks, created opportunities and kicked his goals, and all in front of Warren Gatland, who might also have noted a classy cameo from Jarrod Evans.
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets)
THERE were some decent scrum-half displays, if not one that will be long remembered.
Lloyd Williams box-kicked impressively and showed once again he still has plenty to offer, while Rhodri Williams was typically busy and Aled Davies was neat and tidy.
The Ospreys managed to shackle the attacking threat of Gareth Davies, but he fizzed out 80 passes in 67 minutes and set the tone in defence with some tenacious work. One or two of his kicks, though not all, were also of high quality.
A close call here, then, with Gareth Davies just taking it.
1.Wyn Jones (Scarlets)
ANOTHER spot where there was no vintage performance on the day.
Nicky Smith showed up well with ball in hand for the Ospreys and tried hard at breakdowns, but was pinged three times by Nigel Owens.
Rhys Gill counted one bonerattling hit among his collection of tackles after he came off the bench for Cardiff Blues, with the former Wales international also helping turn the screw on the Dragons scrum.
But Scarlets’Wyn Jones was disciplined in all areas, a willing ball carrier and solid in defence. He shades the vote.