Weekly Round Up 24th Oct

By Zippy
November 11 2004

Round Up Of Welsh Rugby News from the week ending 24th October. For details of the news included a round up of the first week of the Heineken Cup read on

Heineken Cup

Round One: 22-24 October

Scarlets 6-9 Toulouse
Ulster 21-16 Blues
Dragons 6-10 Newcastle Falcons
Castres Olympique 38-17 Ospreys

A nightmare start for the Welsh regional sides in the Heineken Cup for the first time the Welsh drew a whitewash, played four lost four.

The "Scarlets" started off on Friday night against favourites Toulouse boasting Welsh captain Gareth Thomas amongst their ranks. The Scarlets played much better and deserved a narrow win but went down to a 9-6 defeat.

The Blues were penalised out of sight and David Humphreys kicked 21 points, in Ulsters 21-16 win. The Blues are now all but out and a few home wins would be ok for this underperforming side.

The Dragons took on Newcastle and literally fought tooth and nail (ask Ian Gough!) they lost 10-6 and also are now practically out of the competition.

The Ospreys were shot down to a street wise Castres and were hammered, at least they were away in France and still have a chance to qualify.

Welsh Premiership
Bedwas P-P Pontypridd (14.30)
Bridgend 14-8 Swansea (14.30)
Carmarthen v Newport (17.30)
Cross Keys P-P Aberavon (14.30)
Llandovery 28-15 Caerphilly (14.30)
Llanharan P-P Ebbw Vale (14.30)
Neath 41-11 Pontypool (14.30)
Newbridge v Cardiff (14.30)

The Weather put pay to most of the games, Neath kept up their 100% record, Newport had a big win in Camarthen and Bridgend won at home to Swansea and face Llanelli on Wednesday night on S4C.

Other News

Jonathan Thomas, the Ospreys flanker sent off for punching in the match at Castres, has been banned for 18 days.
Thomas was sent off by English referee Dave Pearson in the final minute and the Wales international appeared before a disciplinary hearing held by match commissioner Jean-Claude Legendre.

Chris Horsman the ex Bridgend and Warriors tighthead starred for Wuss'ster in their win over French Giants Brive.

Gareth "Gyppo" Jenkins was named coach of the Lions "Dirt-Trackers" for the tour to NZ.

South Africa have named a strong squad to face Wales

Backs: De Wet Barry, Gcobani Bobo, Michael Claassens, Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Gaffie du Toit, Bryan Habana, Marius Joubert, Wayne Julies, Percy Montgomery, Jonghikaya Nokwe, Breyton Paulse, Brent Russell, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Ashwin Willemse, Jaque Fourie

Forwards: Eddie Andrews, Bakkies Botha, Gerrie Britz, Schalk Burger, Jacques Cronje, Tim Dlulane, Os du Randt, Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw, Solly Tbilika, Hanyani Shimange, John Smit (capt), Juan Smith, Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Joe van Niekerk, AJ Venter

It can only get better can't it?