-Credit: (Image: Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)
These are your rugby headlines on Monday, December 9.
Welsh talent sends Gatland reminder
Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards sent Warren Gatland a timely reminder of what he can offer with a fine second-half display in his side’s 30-14 win over the Lions.
The 21-year-old came off the bench at half-time at Parc y Scarlets on Sunday and made a big impact, getting right amongst it as Toby Booth’s side pulled away from their South African opponents with three second-half tries.
READ MORE: Storm Darragh rips roof off Welsh rugby club as bystanders narrowly missed in frightening incident
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The last of those scores went to Edwards himself, with the Wales U20s international providing what was arguably the moment of the match as he crossed for a brilliant try at the death.
After Jac Morgan turned over the ball with a superb tackle, the loose ball was scooped up and fed to Edwards, who hit the perfect running line to take on the pass. From there, he skipped past two defenders with deft footwork to leave them in his wake as he crossed the line in the last act of the game.
The try impressed Wales legend Shane Williams, who was on co-commentary duties for the match, and he compared Edwards to a Springbok star as he remarked: “Cheslin Kolbe, eat your heart out!”
Edwards has been in fine form so far this season, with his confident and composed performances seeing him tipped by some for a place in Gatland’s autumn squad. While that didn’t materialise, he did receive an invite to train with the full squad during the campaign, with the youngster certainly on the Wales’ boss’ radar.
“The only way you can work out whether [young players] are ready or not is to actually play them,” said Williams at the full-time whistle. “[Edwards] came off the bench today and he was very positive when he came on, he sped the game up as well.
“He’s a very direct 10 and obviously very confident as well, especially the way he took his try. He’s scored some cracking tries for the Ospreys over the years.
“He’s a player that you’d like to think will get more game-time and perhaps one day he’ll get the opportunity to wear that red jersey.”
Roberts hails ‘super impressive’ star
Jamie Roberts has hailed the talents of Ireland international Sam Prendergast after helping Leinster to victory over Bristol Bears.
The 21-year-old grabbed two tries in a game played in miserable conditions at Ashton Gate on Sunday, with the Irish side claiming a 35-12 victory.
After the game, Roberts – who was on punditry duty for the game with Premier Sport – praised Prendergast for a fine display and compared his talents to those of his predecessor, Johnny Sexton.
“He’s impressive isn’t he, he reminds me of Johnny Sexton when he first came on the scene,” said the former Wales centre. “He looks like he’s got it all, passing game, kicking game, he’s quick, deceptively strong, he’s quite big, he’s probably bigger than he looks on TV up close.
“Super impressive though,” he added. “[He] looked so calm for a young man, he has time on the ball, super impressive.”
Welsh rugby chief thanks rivals
Ospreys chief Lance Bradley has praised the “outstanding help” the region received from rivals Scarlets in hosting their Challenge Cup clash against the Lions.
Storm Darragh, which battered Wales on Friday night and Saturday morning, caused “structural damages” to the Ospreys’ ground at the Swansea.com Stadium, forcing them to find a new venue for Sunday’s fixtures.
While St Helen’s and Brewery Field were both considered, the match was promptly moved to Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli, with fans making the trip to watch Toby Booth’s side triumph in a 30-14 bonus-point victory.
Bradley was also in attendance to watch the win and praised the Scarlets for all they had done in making sure the game went ahead.
“Well I never thought I’d be coming here hoping for a home victory,” he wrote on X. “But I do have to offer our massive thanks to @scarlets_rugby for their outstanding help in getting our game on today after the Swansea.com was damaged in the storm.”
The Scarlets were away to Bayonne on Saturday and fell to a heartbreaking 17-16 defeat with a late penalty denying them victory.
French sides triumph as Dupont irrepressible again
By PA Sport Staff
Bordeaux-Begles mounted a second-half fightback to beat Leicester 42-28 in their opening Investec Champions Cup clash at Stade Chaban-Delmas.
The Tigers had built a seven-point lead by half-time, but the hosts recovered with four tries as France international Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored twice.
Despite resting several players for the European tie, Leicester made a positive start with two tries in the opening 15 minutes through lock Harry Wells and Josh Bassett’s close-range touchdown. Bordeaux had replied with a sixth-minute try from forward Pete Samu before Guido Petti went over from a counter-attack to level things up ahead of the half-hour mark.
Frenchman Come Joussain then crafted a try on his Tigers debut to put the English side 21-14 ahead at the break. Bourdeaux, though, regrouped during the interval and produced a lightning start to the second half as Bielle-Biarrey scored from his own kick before Samu went over for his second to put the home side in front.
Bielle-Biarrey touched down again between the posts before Nicolas Depoortere ran in a sixth try, with Izaia Perese bundling over late on to at least secure Leicester a bonus point.
Holders Toulouse made it a French double Pool One as Antoine Dupont’s side swept past Ulster 61-21 at Stade Ernest-Wallon.
The hosts had set the tone when Matthis Lebel went over in the corner inside two minutes before Romain Ntamack barged across from Dupont’s pass. Ulster responded with a 12th-minute try from James McCormack, but Toulouse soon scored again through lock Emmanuel Meafou before Italy international Ange Capuozzo capped off a fine move and Dupont touched down a fifth try.
Stewart Moore raced clear to get Ulster on the board again, but there was little respite as Meafou’s second try made it 40-14 at the break. Santiago Chocobares continued the onslaught in the second half from another flowing attack and Capuozzo went over after collecting a fine kick from Dupont.
Iain Henderson barged over for Ulster’s third try with 13 minutes left before Toulouse completed a comprehensive win with a penalty try from the final action of the match, Thomas Ramos having kicked seven conversions.