Ospreys v Scarlets Sunday November 26th.

Benetton are a very decent side. Way way stronger than the Scarlets. Given the injury situation we need to be careful in our selection. They will be heavy favourites next week and slight favourites the following week. If I were Booth I would make the stronger selection for the home match

After listening to Booth last night, and his talk of freshening up the team next week, to save some of the players I feel that is on the cards. But with a squad depth so small it has to be done?

I would not be surprised to see some loan signings over the next week given some of the long term injuries. The Cheetah situation is complicated by the fact they are registered to a team that is also in Challenge Cup so not sure how we can get around that without switching registrations and lengthening loan.

That is the big question. I have rarely seen our defence look so comfortable. They never looked like scoring a try and on paper there is some talent there but apart from the excellent Gareth Davies at 9 they looked toothless. Was it them or our defence. I suspect a bit of both and some real plaudits to Mark Jones.

I did think when Kasende cleaned up and just did basic things well on a number of occasions, "Thank god it's him and not Luke Morgan in that position". I'd have liked to have seen the new S/H for longer, not that RMW was poor today (my feelings on him as a starting 9 are well known), but in a game where we were pretty much cruising, I think he should have been given more of a chance.

Nothing to add to the comments already made other than it was great to see Dan Edwards make his debut and score a try with a lovely swerving run. Hopefully the first of many.

Good to see you mate, but take things slowly and make it a full recovery

It was an omen! Hope you're feeling a bit better.

Thank you to everyone above and those who have wished me well in my recovery. It will take some time but I will get there at some point.

The union do not give money to the regions. The money is competition revenues and payment for providing players. These payments were not made hence the regions incurred the Covid losses and their future income is burdened . the union also sold a significant part of their future income to CVC.. Steve Phillips advised the regions that the UK government would deal with Covid grants and loans but forgot sport was devolved and the regions had to quickly get emergency bank loans because of Phillips incompetence. You don’t half spin some whoppers The union operates through threats and bullying in pretty much all it does .

I won't argue with you just be aware that WAG gave WRU and each region £2.7M in grants and did not hand out business loans. The regions applied to DCMS who offered them 3 year loans at 8% so they applied for Large Business 3 year loans at 3% and were rejected as not being "Large" enough.

They then asked WRU to bundle the CLBILS loans and apply on their behalf which happened in October 2020. WRU paid those quarterly payments until they organised even lower interest 20 year loans in 2022 so the regions never paid any of the original NatWest loans.

That link explains the rest.

To be fair that sidesteps the why - lacklustre financial support from a hostile, incompetent union (the recent independent review was fairly damning).

I'm sure you've read it, but an extract from Amanda Blanc's resignation letter: "The treatment of the Pro Clubs also needs very serious review.

"If you all believe that the flow of talent from the Pro Clubs to the welsh game is essential for the future of welsh rugby, then I strongly suggest you push Steve for a coherent strategy which starts again with the PRA and looks to invest in the game properly to ensure future relevance and success."

I, probably foolishly, hope the new overarching strategy which will be published next year starts to address these issues.

Anyway, all thoughts now turn to beating the Turks!

Thought Tips would be out and noticed Ratti left with injury at half time. Did not realise Jac picked up any knock. Is Fricker still out? I think we really need to see what Kruger can do.