By Lestyn
September 4 2005

What disturbed me most about the Scarlets match last night was not just how in cohesive they were, but the lack of potential Welsh internationals that featured last night.

Outside of Dafydd Jones, was there anybody who can realistically push for autumn international selection?

Outside of the four non-Welshman, the rest of the Scarlets’ team showed little to upset the trend of last season, very much going through the motions. I have high expectations for Alix Popham based on his strong end of season for Leeds in the Zurich Premiership; he looked well below par last night, as a more streetwise Edinburgh side out muscled in a generally more committed performance.

On the flip side, the season is young, and it may be a case of expecting too much too soon from a vastly changed side? Gareth Jenkins has always talked a good game, but I have an inkling the times of sand are starting run out faster and faster for him a Stradey Park.

The other result last night saw the Dragons’ come away with a credible 21-15 win at Glasgow, including a fiesty sounding mass brawl. Nice to see a bit of fight back in the Gwentmen, after last seasons’ overly soft end.