Celtic Cup Quarter Finals Preview

By Lestyn - 03/10/03
October 2 2003

The Celtic cup returns to stop any of the momentum the league could have built up. Wales's representation in the quarters is more or less on default, with Dai Young's struggling Blues yet to play after a first round bye as the the Scarlets practically had a bye themselves, easing past the Dragons.

Edinburgh v Blues 

Saturday 5:30 (S4C)

Saying that Dai Young is a coach under pressure, would be a massive understatement. The former Welsh captain is in danger of being completely hounded out of the region, as his side continue to show little improvement on the Cardiff of last season. Young may put it down to injuries - but that hold's little validity  in the supposed brave new world of provincial rugby. Saturday evening's encounter with Edinburgh could prove to be his final one at the helm, unless the Blues can produce something similar, if not better than the Cardiff club team that stunned the home side 26-22 at Meadowbank.

But since then the Scot's have turned the corner significantly. last week's 33-30 triumph over Leinster at Donnybrook and walloping Borders 55-7 the week before (who Cardiff lost to), show's just how difficult a task for the Blues to get anything out this one. The omens do not look good either - Lee Abdul is dragged out of the rags to make up the numbers on the wing and Jamie Robinson is used as an unorthodox inside centre. But there is some good news, as Ryan Powell makes a welcome return at scrum half.

Picking Rob Appleyard ahead of Robin Sowden-Taylor is a completely pointless exercise, as is dropping another promising forward, prop John Yapp from the squad altogether. Edinburgh must be licking their lips at the prospect of getting stuck into such a weak looking Blues XV, but then again they were probably last time.

Prediction: It's difficult to say whether or not the large amount of criticism aimed at Young during the week, will have a positive or negative affect on the player's. If it is the second, they should be in for a real thumping.  

Edinburgh:

Blues:  Donavan van Vuuren; Lee Abdul, Nick Walne, Jamie Robinson, Craig Morgan; Nick Robinson, Ryan Powell; Kenneth Fourie, Andrew Lewis (capt), Ben Evans, Dan McShane, Jim Brownrigg, Rob Appleyard, Nathan Thomas, Dan Baugh.
Replacements: Darren Crompton, Gareth Williams, James Goode, Robin Sowden-Taylor, James Malpas, Andrew Moore, Gareth McCarthy.

 

Scarlets v Connacht

Friday 7.05 (BBC 2 Wales)

Gareth Jenkins team look to make it five wins out of five for the season, and they couldn't have got an easier draw. But the Irish side come of the back of a good 30-19 win over Glasgow at Hughenden, and will be boosted by the return of former Newport and Ireland winger Matt Mostyn, to inject bit more pace into the backs.

But even with Mostyn, Connacht shouldn't really trouble the Scarlets. Without Eric Elwood's ever reliable boot, they have precious few other options, although full back Mark McHugh, capped by Ireland can be a thorn in the side of most defences on his day.

The Scarlet's have decided against risking Scott Quinnell for this one, although Salesi Finau does return to the starting line up following his neck injury on the wing in place of Richard Rees. Impressive youngster David Maddocks is dropped to the bench, as the slightly more experienced Phil John takes his place at tight head.

Prediction: It would be disappointing for the home side not to book their place in the quarters by at least a fifteen point margin. But complacency may start to creep in I suspect.

Scarlets: Barry Davies; Tal Selley, Matthew Watkins, Leigh Davies (capt), Salesi Finau; Gareth Bowen, Dale Burn; Phil John, Aled Gravelle, John Davies, Bryn Griffiths, Adam Jones, Vernon Cooper, Ian Boobyer, Emyr Lewis.
Replacements: David Maddocks, Rhys Williams, Gavin Quinnell, Gareth Williams, Mike Phillips, Ceiron Thomas, Richard Rees.

Connacht: M McHugh, M Mostyn, D Yapp, T Allnutt, C McPhilips, AN Other, M Walls, R Hogan, B Jackman, B Boiroux, D Browne, A Farley, P Neville, T Carter, J O'Sullivan.

Replacements: J Fogarty, A Clarke, M McCarthy, M Lacey, C Keane, AN Other, T Robinson.

 

And The Rest......

Struggling Munster and a hit and miss Glasgow lock horns at Hughenden, as Leinster who sunk to the bottom of the league last week travel to Ravenhill looking to regain the form of two weeks ago they showed in beating the Ospreys. Both very hard to call, but I can't see Munster losing another, and Ulster should have a bit too much up front for their visitors.