Rising stars continue to shine... and some tough contract calls are made
IT’S been another busy week in Welsh rugby. There’s been Rainbow Cup action, contract news and all the other usual rumblings as the season winds down to a close.
Here, we look at the weekend’s winners and losers:
WINNERS COREY DOMACHOWSKI
THE Cardiff Blues prop has been a revelation this season.
An impressive scrumagger, he is also a strong ball-carrier - often making dents in the Munster defence on Friday night.
There’s a fair bit of loose-head competition heading into the summer, with Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Rob Evans and Rhys Carre all looking to step into Wyn Jones’ boots while he’s away with the Lions.
Domachowski, though, arguably has the biggest claim when it comes to form.
Could he get a look-in this summer? Only time will tell.
ANEURIN OWEN
THIS young man just looks the real deal.
A playmaker in a 12 jersey - something that Welsh rugby has perhaps lacked in recent years - he’s just got time on the ball whenever he gets it.
Christened ‘NHS’ by team-mates due to his namesake and founder of the National Health Service, Anuerin Bevan, there are already calls for Owen to receive an international call-up this summer.
Whether or not it’s a little too soon for a maiden cap, you’d say for certain he’d feature in Wayne Pivac’s discussions, with the Wales coach likely to want to get a closer look at him.
JOSH TURNBULL
IT’S been some season for Josh Turnbull, with the Cardiff Blues forward playing some of his best rugby.
Unsurprisingly, there are even calls for the 10-cap international to be involved in Wales Tests against Canada and Argentina this summer.
But perhaps the moment of magic he produced on Friday night in Limerick might have caught even his most ardent supporters off guard.
With Cardiff in desperate need of breaking down the Munster defence as they searched for a score which would draw them level, Turnbull received a pass with seemingly little on.
However, from his box of tricks, he sold a dummy which took him past four defenders before offloading for Lloyd Williams to score.
Simply marvellous.
GREG BATEMAN
THE prop’s first season with the Dragons hasn’t gone exactly to plan, with injuries stopping him from nailing down his place in Dean Ryan’s side as he might have liked.
But last week saw Bateman take a step which transcended what he does on the pitch.
He recounted his own experiences with severe depression and how a beer with a mate drove him to seek help.
And now, with his own brewing business and foundation, he is looking to raise £1million that would go towards charities such as the Samaritans and Young Minds.
A wonderful gesture.