The winners and losers after another strange weekend

IN keeping with the theme of the season, it was a strange old rugby weekend, with matches called off because of Covid-19 amid talk of complaints and potential appeals at official rulings.

But two Welsh sides did actually take the field.

The Ospreys triumphed 38-29 at Worcester in the European Challenge Cup, while an under-strength Dragons lost 47-8 on the road to Bordeaux-begles in the Heineken Champions Cup.

There were also some fine individual performances across the board and a few misfires.

MARK ORDERS look at the winners and losers...

WINNERS THE OSPREYS

They completed three wins in a row for the first time since the spring of 2019.

Slowly, the Liberty Stadium team are rediscovering themselves.

A year ago they simply wouldn’t have got close from where they were with 14 minutes to play against Worcester on Saturday evening, 11 points adrift and starting to become frustrated.

But they kept their cool and and finished strongly, running out 3829 winners.

Justin Tipuric impressed with his leadership and had a fine all-round game, while Dan Evans ran dangerously from deep, Sam Parry battled hard and Stephen Myler displayed a Zen-like calm in everything he did.

Collectively, the Welsh team looked organised and assured.

Head coach Toby Booth is doing a fine job.

TWO WELSH EXILES

Let’s start with Ashley Beck. He may have been on the losing team at Sixways but Worcester’s Welsh centre emerged with considerable credit against the Ospreys. Class is permanent and all that.

Then there’s Ioan Lloyd. European rugby is evidently to the teenager’s liking, with the Wales youngster following up his try against Clermont Auvergne on the opening weekend of the Heineken Champions Cup with another fivepointer in round two, this time against Connacht, securing Bristol Bears a bonus point.

That he’s still developing is not in doubt.

That Bristol are bringing him along nicely is also not up for debate, with head coach Pat Lam gradually giving Lloyd exposure while building his confidence.

LIFE AFTER CIPRIANI?

The spotlight was on Lloyd Evans, the son of former Scarlets chairman Huw Evans, just days after the departure of Danny Cipriani from Gloucester.

Wales-qualified Evans was wearing the Cherry and Whites No.10 jersey, after all.

Scarlets head coach Glenn Delaney said the right things after the disappointment of Friday’s cancellation.

He could have been forgiven for feeling a dot of pressure, but if that were the case he didn’t show it as he produced an assured all-round display which earned him an 8 out of 10 in the player ratings on Gloucestershire Live.

“Danny who?” the site’s rugby reporter asked.

NORTH STAR

Never mind the new restrictions, Worcester were left wondering how they could have locked down George North.

The Wales international was on his game for the Ospreys, breaking tackles, making ground, covering, scoring a key try. When he’s in this mood, maybe the only way to stop him is via a sniper in the stand.

Alas for Worcester, they didn’t have one.

Wayne Pivac would have been impressed.

North has backed up his fine display for Wales against Italy with two strong efforts for his region, the one at Sixways in the European Challenge Cup on Saturday earning him the man-of-the-match award.

Those who had hinted his best days were behind him might have to think again. On recent evidence, he’ll be a starter in the Six Nations.

MORRIS MOTORS

He’s been likened to Sean O’brien and Steffon Armitage, so there’s absolutely no doubt Morgan Morris has a lot going for him.

Worcester surely won’t with such a statement.

The English club were ahead 2918 when the back-rower came on in the 63rd minute, introducing himself with a 20-metre charge which saw him fight his way across the gainline.

A try then turnovers.

Call that impact. Serious impact. Many casual rugby observers would probably struggle to pick out the scrum-capped Morris at an identity parade.

But he is player on the up who just left many viewers openmouthed with his contribution.

Watch this space. preceded argue three key

THE SCARLETS

OK, their game couldn’t go ahead.

But amid the controversy and heated words from the French, the West Walians actually emerged with some credit, with head coach Glenn Delaney saying the right things amid the disappointment of Friday evening and the region’s statements measured and not needlessly provocative.

A decent effort, then, under trying circumstances.

TRAVELLING FANS EUROPEAN RUGBY INJURED PLAYERS THE DRAGONS

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LOSERS

Toulon

It’s a risky business around in a Covid world.

But a scattering of Ospreys followers made it up to Worcester and their presence was clearly appreciated by the players.

It was good to see the visiting team make a point of acknowledging their support at the end.

travelling

What to make of it all in 2020?

Matches called off, 28-0 wins when no one has packed down for a single scrum, rows, stinging statements fired off, potential grounds for aggravation to continue.

Yet more reasons to rue id-19.

Cov

The Ospreys saw Owen Watkin, Sam Parry and Mat Protheroe leave the field early because of injuries.

Parry had been having a strong game before taking his leave of proceedings in Worcester with a badly gashed leg.

And Protheroe offers a real cutting edge.

The wing with pace to burn appeared to suffer a head knock.

Toby Booth will hope the bumps are not serious.

And Wayne Pivac will be enquiring over the well-being of all concerned, with the Six Nations starting in little over seven weeks.

You wait close on a decade to return to European rugby’s top table and what happens?

Circumstances dictate that you have to send out severely depleted teams and so suffer predictable defeats.

In some ways the Dragons deserve respect for actually taking the field at all against Bordeaux-begles on Saturday evening, with injuries and Covid-19 issues meaning they had to select a shadow XV.

Others might have been tempted to take the hit of a 28-0 loss and enjoy a weekend at home, resting up and watching the Strictly final.

Instead, the Dragons headed for France and had a go.

For that, they deserve a pat on the back.

Sadly for them, though, they returned with a 47-8 defeat.

However you look at it, it’s never great to suffer such a hiding.