Welsh Rugby Union
Celtic League Round 2 Preview
By Lestyn - 11/09/03
September 11 2003
After last weeks fairly positive start to the season, the Welsh regions face mostly Irish opposition. The Dragons and Ospreys go head to head in the all Welsh game.
Dragons v Ospreys
Very big night for the _______ Dragons, both off and on the field. Will the region be a Gwent regional side? or simply an extension of Newport RFC? (if that makes an ounce of sense). Unfortunately the safe money would have to be on chants of "Newport". Anyway the Dragons are involved in what should be an interesting contest on Friday night.
The Ospreys have a light weight
pack and the Dragons back line even makes Scotland's look dangerous. If it's a
loose game the Ospreys should score a few tries out wide with Henson running the
show from ten, but if it's a tight game the home side may be in with a chance,
and if Lee Jarvis's boot is on target who knows.
Prediction: Ospreys by 14 points
Munster v Llanelli Scarlets
After last week managing to grind out an unimpressive win, the Scarlets will need to do something a bit special to get anything out of their visit to Thomond Park. But thing's didn't go all to plan last week in a scrappy defeat to Leinster.
Few sides have managed to avoid
losing in Limerick, and with the Turks placing so much reliance on Scott
Quinnell in both defence and attack, the home side should run out comfortable
winners once the Scarlets run run out of gas. Keep an eye out for a certain
inside centre with the surname Jones-Hughes, in the Irish sides team.
Prediction: Munster by 15 points
Celtic Warriors v Leinster Lions
Actual Saturday afternoon rugby up at Sardis road for the Warriors, who after last weeks hammering of Borders, are looking in good shape. Also Lyn Howell's is boosted by "Idris" Havilli turning down a place in the Tongan World cup spot, as well as Kevin Morgan returning at full back - but how fit Morgan really is, remains to be seen. No sign of Dafydd James yet though.
Leinster opened their season with hard fought win over Munster (mentioned above), and even without their Irish internationals look like a fairly solid outfit. This is a hard one to call, but home advantage to the Warriors should be enough to sway what could be a very close game in their favour. Prediction: Warriors by 7 points
Cardiff Blues v Connacht
Usually Connacht at home would not appear such a daunting game, but with Dai Young struggling to put a team together due to injuries (or laziness?). Only two backs on the bench, both aren't really up to it either. With the home side struggling and Connacht's usual ten man rugby, there could possibly be a repeat of the last time the Irish side visited the Arms Park, winning 6-3.
With criticism already being aimed
at the region already, this could be a real make or break game for Dai Young an
co.
Prediction: Connacht by 3-10 points