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It was a mixed bag for Wales’ four professional clubs but many players impressed
It was another disappointing weekend for Welsh rugby on the European front.
Yes, Cardiff claimed an impressive victory over French outfit Racing 92 to confirm their place in the knockout stages following Ulster’s walkover result against the Cheetahs, but the Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys all lost. But there were a number of players who would have impressed Wales head coach Steve Tandy.
Here are your winners and losers.
Winners
Ben Thomas
The 27-year-old endured a difficult autumn campaign for Wales and lost his place in the matchday 23 after a couple of disappointing performances.
But the Cardiff centre bounced back well and was outstanding as Cardiff trounced French giants Racing 92 32-13 at the Arms Park on Saturday.
Thomas is currently one of the form players in Welsh rugby and is an integral part of this Cardiff side.
The Cardiff playmaker tore Racing to shreds at times with his deft handling and peripheral vision putting others into space.
Thomas recorded 11 carries while linking up well with his fellow centre Cornel Smit and capped off a player-of-the-match performance with an excellent try.
Jacob Beetham
The 24-year-old has been held back by injuries in recent seasons, while the utility-back tag has also arguably stunted his progress.
But Beetham was excellent at full-back against Racing 92 and deserves a run of games in the number 15 shirt for Cardiff.
The Wales international was excellent under the high ball, while he was also a threat with ball in hand with one outstanding 50/22.
He finished the game as the second highest carrier with 13 but his size and physicality, coupled with his high rugby IQ, mark him out as a player who could be an asset to Tandy’s Wales over the next few years.
But he needs to nail down one position.
Carwyn Tuipulotu
The Welsh-born No 8 was released by the Scarlets midway through last season but has found himself a decent new gig at Top 14 outfit Section Paloise.
Tuipulotu had a chance to go up against his former team-mates at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday night and it couldn’t have gone any better for the 24-year-old.
The powerful No 8 played his part as Pau beat the west Walians 47-38 in Llanelli to put themselves in pole position for a place in the Champions Cup round of 16.
Tuipulotu scored a crucial try in the first half and made six carries.
Olly Cracknell and Tommy Reffell
Wales internationals Olly Cracknell and Tommy Reffell were both outstanding as Leicester Tigers thrashed French outfit Bayonne 57-14 in the Champions Cup on Saturday evening.
Cracknell, who made his Wales debut last autumn, finished the game as the top ball carrier with 18 and made significant dents in the Bayonne defence all evening.
There is a dearth of ball carriers in Welsh rugby, making the selection of Cracknell a must for the Six Nations.
Openside flanker Reffell also enjoyed a fine game and took Bayonne to the cleaners at the breakdown, winning two turnovers while he also scored a well-deserved try.
Reffell was the surprise omission in Tandy’s Wales squad last autumn but he is playing well enough to deserve a recall for the Six Nations.
Losers
Dragons RFC
The Dragons have made progress over the past month and had won three out of their last four matches heading into Saturday night’s Challenge Cup clash in Treviso.
But Filo Tiatia opted to rest some key personnel and the Dragons got put to the sword in ruthless fashion as they suffered a humiliating 74-21 defeat to Benetton.
Above all else it exposed the lack of strength in depth in the Welsh game and while the Dragons would have been more competitive with a full-strength side the drop-off was very alarming.
It was men against boys out there as the Men of Gwent conceded 11 tries against an excellent Benetton outfit.
They will have to be far better against Newcastle Red Bulls at Rodney Parade on Friday night in a match they must win if they are to qualify for the Champions Cup round of 16.
Scarlets
It has been an extremely disappointing season for the Scarlets and their head coach Dwayne Peel.
The west Walians have only won twice all season and Saturday night’s home defeat to Pau was extremely damaging.
Peel’s side need a minor miracle if they are to qualify for the knockout stages of either the Champions Cup or the Challenge Cup.
They need to claim a bonus-point victory over Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens to stand any chance, an extremely unlikely proposition.
The Scarlets had ample opportunity to beat Pau in Llanelli but a combination of poor first-up tackling and not being clinical enough proved to be their undoing.
Ospreys
The Ospreys have officially qualified for the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup but they will still be disappointed with yesterday’s 23-19 defeat to Zebre in Parma.
Mark Jones’ side would have expected to beat the Italian strugglers after an impressive festive period which yielded victories over the Scarlets and Cardiff respectively.
The Ospreys welcome French big spenders Montpellier to the Brewery Field next Saturday and need to win in order to secure a home tie in the round of 16.
