RUGBY'S BACK

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RUGBY IS BACK 2020

 Professional rugby is back in Wales as part of the Pro 14 competition. The first matches were played over the weekend of 22nd and 23rd August. These were local derbies : the first between the Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets of Llanelli and the second between the Ospreys of Swansea and the Newport Gwent dragons .

Nearly six months have passed since a professional match was played  in the U.K and thanks to Covid 19 everything has changed.

 The first enormous difference is that there are no longer spectators at the stadiums. The only people present are the players, the coaching staff and the officials plus a couple of comentators from the media. 

The coverage of the matches is now via a pay to view channel , Premier Sports. It's sad that the BBC no longer shows these matches. However we are fortunate in Wales to have Welsh language commentary from S4C . They do not supply English commentary or subtitles so you have to speak Welsh or just watch it without input from the specialists. The matches are not shown live but just a few hours later.

When the players arrived at the Scarlets stadium for the Blues match  they were sporting masks in their team colours. Blue of course for Cardiff and red for the Scarlets. Fortunately they did not have to play wearing masks.

Before the game there was a minute's silence for the victims of the pandemic. Then in a touching gesture the players moved into a circle and mingled the members of both teams. Then they took the knee which is a sign of opposition to racism and solidarity with those who have suffered abuse or harm from racism.

The rugby despite these changes was as skilled and hard fought as ever. 

And the results ?

The Scarlets beat the Blues convincingly but the Ospreys and the Dragons drew at the last minute. 

CROESO'N ÔL BOYS  -  Welcome back. 


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