All the action from the big Welsh derby this Saturday will be live & exclusive in the UK on Viaplay Viaplay’s complete live coverage of the BKT United Rugby Championship this weekend brings all the excitement from the Championship battle to secure top eight play-off places - with an enthralling Welsh derby in Swansea set up to entertain fans and put smiles back on faces.
The Dragons travel to Welsh rivals Ospreys on Saturday afternoon (live on Viaplay from 12.30pm) as the URC Welsh Shield battle continues with its winner grasping a highly-coveted European Champions Cup place as reward.
Will a fired-up Dragons team back up their big win against the Ospreys in Round Six last October when they beat them 32-25 at Rodney Parade and complete the double? Or will the Ospreys who are just four points behind Cardiff Rugby, who top the Welsh Shield, keep the pressure on in the battle to be top-placed Welsh team in the United Rugby Championship?
With just three pool rounds left to go and Judgement Day expecting to live up to its name as the final round of the regular URC season in just a month’s time – it’s all to play for says Wales’ record try scorer and leading Viaplay rugby commentator, Shane Williams.
He said: “If anything from experience of playing the Dragons myself, they were a voodoo team for me, usually more when we played at Rodney Parade with the crowd and a bit of hostility towards the Ospreys.
“But the Dragons are definitely more than capable of beating the Ospreys, they did last time out and that what’s makes it such an exciting game in prospect.”
Williams thinks some of the Dragons key players will bring impact to the game including Ross Moriarty who has been top of the stats charts for his team this season on both sides of the ball with the most successful carries and greatest number of tackles.
“The Dragons players seem to up their game for these local derbies, it’s about bragging rights and pride and you can imagine the likes of Wainwright and Ross Moriarty being up for this. Ross hasn’t been in that Six Nations team, he’s got a point to prove, he’s been playing particularly well for the Dragons as well so he’ll come out steam coming out of ears, that’s great and that’s what we want to see.
“Dai Flanagan is a really likeable guy, I’ve played alongside him and see what he’s doing with his coaching, the players respect him and seem to work really well with him and I think there’s just a different demeanour and aura about the side now.
“Previously, I’ve seen the Dragons score two tries, gone away for a coffee and when I’m back they’re four tries to two down. They lacked concentration, were capable of switching off, making silly mistakes, poor discipline and penalties, but more recently they are looking more mature in their performances. They will go a try down, but get themselves back into the game, and they’ll make a real go of it. Take the Emirates Lions game, where they could have had 40/50 points scored against them but they came back and could have (and should have) won that match.
“I have also seen them go into the lead and control that lead and win games quite comfortably as well. They have had some big scalps this season.
“That attitude - the never say die attitude – or the never say ‘Dai Flanagan’ attitude, makes them look more comfortable and I think they seem to be playing for their coach. That’s then sprinkled with some fantastic players, and players coming back like Ashton Hewitt who can strengthen your team.
“I enjoy watching the Dragons, with ball in hand, in set pieces and set plays they are very good. They are well-organised and capable of scoring tries. It’s just they have not been mentally tough enough in the past – but I think they are getting there.”
Shane Williams says Saturday’s Welsh derby will bring out the best in both sides and bring some much-needed ‘positivity’ back to into Welsh Rugby.
“The fact is that the players are playing for pride and these Welsh teams will want to finish the season on a positive note for themselves as players and clubs but equally for their fans and supporters. The Welsh derbies give the opportunity to put some smiles back on people’s faces.”
Wales’ record try scorer Shane Williams is part of the Viaplay TV team bringing every game live from the BKT United Rugby Championship throughout the season including all the knock-out stages and the Grand Final. This Saturday Shane Williams will be joined by Ross Harries, Tom Shanklin, Rhys Ap Williams and Lauren Smith for live and exclusive UK coverage of Ospreys v Dragons from Swansea.com stadium with all the build-up from 12.30pm (with a 1pm kick off).
Also tune into Cardiff Rugby’s away trip to Zebre Parma on Friday evening (live on Viaplay from 7pm UK) with Sean Holley and Rory Hamilton plus all the action from Scarlets v Cell C Sharks at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday with Rupert Cox and Thinus Delport (live on Viaplay from 7.30pm).
Visit www.viaplay.com for more information. Viaplay is available on Sky, Virgin TV, Amazon Prime and online through the Viaplay App.
I enjoy watching the Dragons, with ball in hand, in set pieces and set plays they are very good. They are well-organised and capable of scoring tries...
