By Paul
January 27 2007

A 44-34 defeat at Dublin will not overly concern Scarlets coach Phil Davies, what will though is the manner in which a mix of fringe squad players and youngsters imploded during a ten minute period during the second half. Rugby Shorts.
It hasn't been a disastrous Magners campaign by any extent, and expectations were more than met in Europe, however form is not something that can necessarily be turned on and off. Yet there is another school of thought that suggests that a lot of youngsters are going to be a lot better for that experience for a few seasons to come.

The same can nearly be said for the Dragons who in by inch are encroaching on the territory of Mike Ruddock's first Rodney Parade regional side. The right combination of developing players and some great rough diamonds-like Nic Fitisemanu. I seem to be seeing a lot more Dragons shirts around these days, and that says a lot in Cardiff! Nilling a team takes a lot of discipline even if it is a side like Borders.

I'm not sure if Gavin Henson is necessarily a negative. Whilst injury is never a good thing, it takes a bit of the pressure off Wales to include him just in case he does rise to the occasion. With Tom Shanklin out though, options are few and far between. Henson limped out as the Ospreys shadow XV did enough to edge out Ulster at The Liberty. Shanklin however was part of a Cardiff Blues side that endured a miserable night in Glasgow, against an admittedly improving district side. The Blues appear to have lost a bit of confidence and direction after a month ravaged by injuries.

If Gareth Thomas is found guilty of aiding Trevor Brennan in Toulouse against those Ulster fans, he deserves whatever the ERC throw at him.

Shocks have been few and far between in this seasons' Konica Minolta cup, although West Division 1 Whitland went down narrowly at home to Premiership Cross Keys.

And finally... It seems that BBC Wales have acknowledged just how rubbish their Six Nations trailers are. There is however a fine line between tedium and humor.