This post was originally published on this site.
The latest stories making rugby headlines on Sunday, May 10.
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Sunday, May 10.
Scarlets boss frustrated by unprecedented derby
Scarlets interim director of rugby Nigel Davies was frustrated by an “unheard of” difference of penalties in their defeat to the Ospreys.
The Llanelli club were beaten 27-20 in Bridgend on Saturday. Despite having fought back from 17-5 down at half-time to lead 20-17 in the closing stages, the Scarlets’ discipline ultimately cost them.
According to Davies, the Scarlets conceded 21 penalties compared to the Ospreys’ four – while they also saw Joe Roberts and Kemsley Mathias sent to the sin-bin by referee Ben Connor.
“We have to control what we can control,” said Davies afterwards. “First half the penalty count was probably fair enough because we were under a bit of pressure in the scrum but we turned that around in the second half.
“We were probably slightly on top in the scrum but were not getting the calls. In a derby game where every breakdown is contested fiercely, to have that sort of penalty count is unheard of.”
Davies pointed to an incident in the second half, while the Scarlets were ahead, when scrum-half Dane Blacker was brought down close to the line by Evardi Boshoff – with the replacement then winning a jackal penalty.
“It was hugely frustrating and I can’t ask for any more from the players, we played a lot of rugby and squandered a couple of chances,” added Davies.
“There was a key moment where we attacked and got right under the posts, for me that was a clear penalty and a yellow card because the guy didn’t get up off his feet.
“We were not getting those decisions and it was such a key moment.
“The penalty count was astounding – 21 to 4. We target 10 or less and I am not frustrated at my players because they played really well and went at it.
“They gave everything that they had and unfortunately didn’t get their just rewards.”
Wales star set to miss three weeks
Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams’ time at Gloucester appears to be over, but a shoulder injury is unlikely to rule him out of the summer’s Tests.
Williams, who is joining Saracens ahead of next season, was forced off during the second half of Gloucester’s Friday night victory over Sale.
With Steve Tandy naming his Wales squad on Monday, the sight of Williams picking up an injury would have concerned any Welsh fans watching.
However, it’s understood the injury is only likely to keep him out for two to three weeks – with Wales’ first Test against Fiji being on July 4.
That does mean that Williams might well have played his last game for the Cherry and Whites.
“He said his shoulder is sore,” said Gloucester boss George Skivington. “He obviously hurt his shoulder earlier in the season so hopefully it’s a minor version of that.”
Jones delighted as departing Wales captain signs off in style
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones was delighted as his side picked up the Welsh Shield thanks to captain Jac Morgan’s late try in the west Wales derby.
Morgan, who was playing in his last home game for the Ospreys ahead of a move to Gloucester, powered over five minutes from time in the 27-20 win over the Scarlets.
“That was only the second time that we have done the double over the Scarlets in 12 years,” said Jones.
“It doesn’t matter who gets the winner because it was a team effort out there but if ever there was a guy that you’d like to come up from under that pile then it was Jac.
“When we got a couple of yards out I felt he would take some stopping, especially with a couple of friends on his back.”
Geoff Parling refuses to get carried away by emphatic Leicester win
By Press Association Sport Staff
Geoff Parling kept his feet firmly on the ground, despite seeing his Leicester side power to an emphatic 41-17 win over local and title rivals Northampton.
The Tigers ran in six tries at Mattioli Woods Welford Road to clinch a vital bonus-point victory, but head coach Parling insisted there was still room for improvement as the race to be crowned Gallagher Prem champions hots up.
Leicester’s win still left them in third place but cut to the gap to leaders Northampton to five points.
Parling said: “It was a good win, but we can still do some things better as well.
“I was really pleased with our edge. We were on a real sweet spot physically and I’m also pleased we managed to stop them scoring a bonus point.
“We know when it’s these big derby matches at home that the lads are going to get up for it so we were quite tactical during the week with preparations.
“We didn’t want to add more emotion to the fixture because I knew that would be there anyway.
“But we also know what still lies ahead of us. We’ve got three really important games left in the regular season, starting with Sale away.”
Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson admitted his side were comfortably second best.
He said: “It was very painful. We battled very hard and worked incredibly hard, but after half-time we couldn’t make the adjustments.
“We couldn’t get into the game or exert any pressure of our own in order to give us some momentum and get some points.
“Fundamentally we didn’t get it right. We didn’t get enough ball, conceded a lot of penalties and we have to wear it.
“I don’t want the lads to ever forget what happened here. We have to be better next time and not make so many errors and make things harder for ourselves.
“I hope we take the scars and take the lessons out of it and stay together. We now need to work incredibly hard in preparation for Bristol at the Gardens on Friday night.
“We’ve got to be careful of over-egging it because it’s only the second game we’ve lost this season.
“And, while we’ve got to make sure we don’t take it lightly, we also have to ensure we don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.”
Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.
