A licence to thrill in what should be a cracker
RUGBY SENSE FROM THE S4C PUNDIT
match was the ability to score quality tries. Breaking down the defence is the biggest challenge in the game and the Scarlets possess the magic to do just that.
I was in Thomond Park last weekend watching Munster beat the Ospreys. It was not a patch on the game the day before. Munster will be better this weekend I’m sure.
Munster were without the ball for long periods and although they looked comfortable against a somewhat toothless Ospreys attack, they will not have wanted to be defending for so long.
If the Scarlets have that much possession they are sure to score tries.
Munster did not commit players to the breakdown; instead they kept defenders on their feet and ensured they had the numbers in defence so they could always generate line speed. I wonder if they’ll be so content in conceding so much uncontested possession to the Scarlets.
If they do, the Scarlets must hold extra depth because they don’t really want to be turning back inside all the time.
What enabled Munster to gain control of the semi-final was their scrum. They won three scrum penalties in the first half with secondary drives forcing the referee to make decisions. I would be surprised if the Scarlets front-row allow that dominance.
From these penalties, Munster went to touch and set up driving lineouts. They asserted control from these lineouts and eventually dominated the game.
It has been an emotional season for Munster. Their reaction to the loss of their talismanic coach Anthony Foley has been a fitting tribute in itself, but they will be desperate to mark their respects with a trophy in his honour.
Munster will be even more intense and passionate than usual; they will be playing for the memory of a great friend they have lost.
I was delighted to learn that Steff Evans has been cleared to play.
What a pleasure it has been to witness his development over the last year or so.
He deserves to be in this final and he deserves to get a cap this summer.
Looking back, it’s hard to fathom how Alex Cuthbert was selected ahead of him in the Six Nations.
It’s true that he may not be as big or as quick as him, but i doubt that Cuthbert could come off his wing, take the ball in the fly-half slot, put the ball in front of Scott Williams and loop around to take up a supporting role before putting the scrum-half over.
He is a quality player and is getting better all the time.
The other individual that deserves a mention is James Davies.
What a player. We are lucky in Wales that we have so many outstanding opensides around at the moment.
Many of these players impact the game and exert an influence.
Davies goes beyond that and dominates games. Most sevens are either attacking players of creative players. Davies is an individual that can do both.
I am utterly bewildered as to why he is not in the Welsh squad. It is not because the other players are better – because they are not.
The only plausible explanation that I have heard is that he can be something of a managerial challenge and that has somehow counted against him.
It is true that James is a colourful character and requires a little extra love, but the Welsh management have supported and protected such players as Gavin Henson, Mike Phillips and Andy Powell despite some rather public difficulties. They have had to circle the wagons on the coaches before now.
Anyway, James Davies played the pants off Josh van der Flier last weekend, if he does the same to Tommy O’Donnell tomorrow he is surely in prime possession to be first in line should the Lions need an openside. The Scots may disagree, but he is a better player than what they’ve got. I think the final is too close to call. The Scarlets have the momentum, Munster have the emotion.
What I have learned is never write off the Scarlets.
If they play like they did against Leinster they will win.
Gwyn Jones is a member of S4C’s Clwb Rygbi team. Viewers can enjoy the Guinness Pro 12 final in full on Monday, May 29, at 10pm in Clwb Rygbi: Rownd Derfynol. Also coming up: free-to-air extended highlights of every British and Irish Lions’ match in New Zealand, live coverage of every Wales Under20s match in the World Cup in Georgia, and RGC 1404 v Wales, live on Friday, June 2.