The stand-out regional XV from the Pro12 season so far
THE first Welsh derbies of the season take place this weekend, with not just league points and bragging rights at stake, but for some, places in Wales’ autumn international series squad.
With plenty at stake and five rounds of the league programme already played, it seems appropriate to consider who have been the stand-out players during the first month of the campaign.
So we’ve picked a composite XV to get a bit of debate going. See if you agree with our selections... 15. Liam Williams (Scarlets) Having been the stand-out player on Wales’ summer tour of New Zealand, Sanjay has continued in the same vein for the Scarlets. He was their best player against Munster, good in Belfast, pulling off a try-saving tackle on Ulster wing Craig Gilroy, and Man of the Match in the win over Connacht. 14. Hallam Amos (Dragons) Ospreys duo Eli Walker and Jeff Hassler have both shown up well out wide at times, while Blaine Scully’s work-rate has been outstanding for the Blues, but the way Amos has bounced back from a testing tour of New Zealand to catch the eye in a struggling Dragons team has been commendable. 13. Ben John (Ospreys) There had been a lot of talk in pre-season about the Scarlets’ dream centre pairing of Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies, but neither man has been at his best so far. Meanwhile, the unsung Ben John has come to the fore with the Ospreys, delivering some fine performances. 12. Rey Lee Lo (Blues) The Samoan centre has steadily grown in stature and influence in his time at the Arms Park. He’s got the lot - quick feet, great hands, vision, pace and strength. Has had a big say in a number of the Blues’ best moments, with telling breaks and off-loads, plus a try of his own. Just a quality player. 11. Tom James (Blues) Has added to his record Blues try tally with three more touchdowns and was on fire during the opening weeks of the campaign. He is such a physical, powerful runner and his first instinct is always to take the opposition on. Has become a go-to man for the Arms Park outfit. 10. Sam Davies (Ospreys) Dan Biggar was good against Ulster last Saturday, while Gareth Anscombe scored the try of the weekend. But on the basis of his terrific performances in the first three games of the season, Davies gets the nod. He has really grown and developed his all-round game over the last 18 months. 9. Lloyd Williams (Blues) Faced an early season challenge from namesake Tomos Williams, but has responded with some really classy displays. Has been busy and nippy, while he’s delivered a series of key try-scoring passes. The way he drew the last man to put Dan Fish away in Cork was text book stuff, while he unleashed Blaine Scully against Zebre and Anscombe last weekend. 1. Gethin Jenkins (Blues) The old warhorse’s immense start to the season has been rewarded with a one-year contract extension and there’s no sign of his powers waning as his 36th birthday approaches next month. Has risen to the responsibility of captaincy and is leading by example. A mention too for Ospreys youngster Nicky Smith. 2. Sam Parry (Ospreys) Ken Owens has done his best to rally the Scarlets amid a difficult start to the season, but Parry has been the form No.2 in Wales. Has benefited from the change in the driving maul laws where the hooker now goes to the back, scoring four tries, while he’s been good around the field too. 3. Dmitri Arhip (Ospreys) The Moldovan man mountain has been solid in the scrum and pushing double figure carries, while putting in his tackles too. Whenever there is a contest on the gain-line, the big boy with the big beard provides a physical edge. He’s an all round tight-head and he’s still young as a pro rugby player. 4. George Earle (Blues) The South African second row has been an ever-present in the Blues pack, starting all five games, proving he’s been a pretty decent acquisition from the Scarlets, where he previously worked under Danny Wilson. There are no frills to the Durban-born 29-yearold, but he always puts in a shift. 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) Sat out the first couple of weeks of the season, but after dipping his toe back in the water as a sub in the rout of Treviso, he has grown in stature and influence, looking much more like his old self against Ulster last weekend. He’s in good shape and making his presence felt in the tight and loose. Great to see him fit and firing again. 6. Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) Just to see Shingler out on the field again is a real bonus after the career-threatening concussion he suffered last term. But, to his huge credit, he is not only back but making