KEV KICKS OFF

IT was a mixed weekend for the three regions with only the Cardiff Blues winning and beating Pau 38-16 getting to the European Challenge Cup final and will face Gloucester. Scarlets were blown away at the Aviva Stadium, Ospreys, who fielded a young team, got battered 37-14 by bottom team Zebre. They rested all their internationals to keep them fresh for Judgement Day on Saturday. I only recognised one name which was James Hook. Obviously the boys who came in weren’t used to the step-up in physicality and speed of the game but I’m sure they would have enjoyed the experience and happy to become a Osprey. The Dragons had a weekend off so they will be nice and fresh for Judgement Day.

Unfortunately the Scarlets were blown off the park by Leinster in the Aviva Stadium. They lost 38-16 and it could have been a lot more. Leinster dominated all aspects of the game. Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac said all the players will learn from the semi-final. I think they just came up against a very good team who were all on fire all day with Sexton orchestrating all the attacks. Irish rugby is on a massive high now.

Well done to Bridgend Ravens on beating Swansea. It was good to see my nephew Stu Floyd Ellis get a nice try and continue with his good form.

Good luck to Porthcawl on Sunday who now face Pembroke in the final of the Bowl. QUESTION: Who do you think will win the European Challenge Cup and Champions Cup?

I think Cardiff Blues have a great chance of beating Gloucester in Spain; the Blues will have to play a high-tempo game which they used to. Gloucester will be tough. I’m not sure if Ross Moriarty, Richard Hibbard and Owen Williams will play on May 11 but it should be a great final. I’m going to go for a Leinster win over Racing Metro 92. I think this game will be like a mini international and could go either way with top class players in every position and the bench will have a massive input and could decide the game.