Pro 12 plus maybe Friends 20/21

First topic message reminder :

As one season finishes it seems the new one seems to start sooner each year.  Here is the breakdown of teams over the last three years. Places (based on league points) and points are order 19/20, 18/19, 17/18

Leinster (Champions and clearly the team to beat)
Place 1, 3, 2, Average 2
Points 69, 76, 70 total 215
Always have finished top of their conference and winners for the last three years
Goal - Win, anything else is failure

Munster
Place 3, 2, 4 Average 3
Points 51, 77, 69 Total 197
Yet another table where Munster fall short yet again.  Each of the last three years have been knocked out by Leinster
Goal - Top Conference (2nd in league) to finally avoid Leinster in the playoffs to make the final

Glasgow
Place 7, 1, 1 Average 3
Points 38, 81, 76 Total 195
Was this year a WC hangover or is it the start of the slide back to the chasing pack.  Losing key players is taking it's toll. No longer the best team in Scotland.
Goal - Win back dominance in Scotland

Ulster
Place 4, 4, 6 Average 4.33
Points 44, 63, 62 Total 169
Improving each year and seem like one of the teams to challange Leinster.
Goal - Get back to the final

Scarlets
Place 4, 9, 3 Average 5.33
Points 47, 52, 70 Total 169
Last year killed them but on their day a match of anyone. Best team usually in Wales.
Goal - make the final

Edinburgh
Place 2, 10, 5 Average 5.66
Total 51, 51, 68 Total 170
Like Scarlets last year killed them.  Have conquered Scotland and have one of the best coaches in the league.  Possibly the 2nd best team for next season if Cockers has cracked rotation.
Goal - make the final

Connacht
Place 6, 5, 10 Average 7
Points 40, 61, 39 Total 140
Excluding the first year under Keane have been playoff contenders each year.  But they need to push on and not just be happy fighting for a playoff sport.
Have to push for Top 4

Benetton
Place 8, 7, 7 Average 7.33
Points 36, 57, 55 Total 148
Consistency has got them middle of the table which is a good place to build from rather than just the place to stay.
Goal - time to push for Top 6

Blues
Place 9, 8, 8 Average  8.33
Points 33, 54, 54 Total 141
Again consistent in their place but have fallen down and past by their peers.  Have to be looking over their shoulders at Dragons and Zebre.
Goal - time to get above 8th.

Ospreys
Place 12, 6, 9 Average 9
Points 17, 58, 54 Total 119
Which year was the anomaly, when they finished 6th or 12th.  An old team who live on past glories. Last year 6th may have been down to the drop in form of Scarlets and Edinburgh.
Goal - stop the rot

Dragons
Place 10, 11, 12 Average 11
Points 24, 26, 20 Total 70
Slowly improving.  No longer unable to win away from home and building nicely.
Goal - has to be 9th

Zebre
Place 11, 12, 11 Average 11.33
Points 21, 19, 36 Total 76
Have alot of young players coming through.  Last year wasn't great but the other two were improvements on previous years.
Goal - Finished 10th and pick up some big wins.

Kingshu wrote:

RugbyFan100 wrote:Great article on this years Pro? here:

https://www.dai-sport.com/it-should-be-a-luxurious-feast-but-instead-new-guinness-pro14-season-resembles-a-dogs-dinner/

Posted on 30th September 2020 by Editor

A new season of Guinness PRO14 rugby begins on Friday with a sense of the unknown hanging over the competition. The Covid-19 pandemic means the competition will begin behind closed doors with the tournament set to introduce further South African sides. Steffan Thomas looks at the strengths of the PRO14 and why it should be so much better.

Imagine yourself being a Cardiff Blues season ticket holder.

An hour up the road you have Bristol, 90 minutes up the road you have Bath, with Gloucester, Exeter Chiefs and Worcester Warriors a similar distance away. To play these clubs regularly would rekindle old rivalries and get supporters excited again.

I like how he uses Cardiff as an example and its something thats been mentioned a few times before, now if he used Connacht (or another Irish province, the closest non Irish professional teams are Scarlets, Glasgow, Ospreys Cardiff, Dragons and Edinburgh.
Or used the Glasgow and the closest non Scottish team is Ulster. For Edinburgh the closest non Scottish team is Newcastle, 2nd closest is Ulster.
For Italian, French teams would be closer, but there is no rivally there, and they dont look forlornly at them I think they generated more in the Pro 14 and if given the choice of playing Ulster, Glasgow, Leinster, or French teams, they would prefer the Pro 16.
For SA teams flying to Europe, it doesn't really make much odds where they land.
So for 4 of the 16 teams, there are closer professional teams, for the other 12 though.....

Yes, as mentioned on another thread, Cardiff to Bristol is a true anomaly in the proximity stakes. It's stupid to use it as a 'rule'. Travelling from S Wales to the West Country is a nightmare at the best of times, let alone weekends and Friday evenings. The trains are awful, the tunnels are a nightmare, Welsh fans won't even travel to their local stadia let alone going to England.

I'd take an Anglo-Welsh league or better yet a B&I league if it worked financially but it doesn't. There's no reason for England to join up with the Welsh.

Clancy is fuc”’ng awful. Struggling to see how he’s still employed after years and years of being awful.

The SA refs will also be a welcome addition to the league

2 October 2020
19:00 Zebre v Cardiff Blues - Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
20:15 Ulster v Benneton - Kingspan Stadium
20:15 Leinster v Dragon - RDS Arena

3 October 2020
15:00 Scarlets v Munster - Parc y Scarlets
17:00 Connacht v Glasgow Warriors - Galway Sportsgrounds
17:45 Edinburgh v Ospreys - Murrayfield

The three games Saturday are all big games for me

If Connacht are serious about being a playoff team then they need to be beating Glasgow at home
Munster and Scarlets will be both have eyes of being the second best team behind Leinster.
Edinburgh need to show they are as good as last year, the Ospreys need to show they have improved from last year.

I’m sure most teams, especially Munster and Scarlets are aspiring to be the best rather than 2nd best.

mikey_dragon wrote:I’m sure most teams, especially Munster and Scarlets are aspiring to be the best rather than 2nd best.

Especially Edinburgh, Ulster, Scarlets and Munster, and probably Glasgow.

Can Leinster get better commentators? It’s worse than Jiffy when Wales are on a roll.

mikey_dragon wrote:Can Leinster get better commentators? It’s worse than Jiffy when Wales are on a roll.

The short answer is no.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Can Leinster get better commentators? It’s worse than Jiffy when Wales are on a roll.

The short answer is no.

Well I guess we’ll have to put up with more whinging about the league then. Not a good look for the league .

Pot Hale wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:I’m sure most teams, especially Munster and Scarlets are aspiring to be the best rather than 2nd best.

Especially Edinburgh, Ulster, Scarlets and Munster, and probably Glasgow.  

I think Munster need to work on being the second best team in Ireland first.

Munster's failure since going to Conferences has been finishing Second.  Until they finish top of their Conference they are going to meet Leinster in the semi.

Being realistic the pack might catch up to Leinster and another team win but they would still be the best team over the last few seasons.

All the teams you mention will be aiming to be number one but none of them are clear of the pack.  Finishing 3rd in the Conference is alot different to finishing top.  Realistically Edinburgh, Munster and Scarlets could also finish 4th if Connacht were to go on a run and get into the top 3.

Ulster v Benetton looks like the game of the night

Can’t help but think if the roles were reversed between Hewitt and Fardy it would be a straight-up penalty to Leinster...

I fully expect the Ospreys to shock a few people this season. A lot of established Welsh internationals have had a long time to get fit and rested and have something to prove as well after years of underachievement at club level. At least in the early weeks of the season I can see them taking a few scalps.

rugby racing and beer wrote:I fully expect the Ospreys to shock a few people this season. A lot of established Welsh internationals have had a long time to get fit and rested and have something to prove as well after years of underachievement at club level. At least in the early weeks of the season I can see them taking a few scalps.

Who are Ospreys likely to shock?

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:I fully expect the Ospreys to shock a few people this season. A lot of established Welsh internationals have had a long time to get fit and rested and have something to prove as well after years of underachievement at club level. At least in the early weeks of the season I can see them taking a few scalps.

Who are Ospreys likely to shock?  

The Pro12 plus friends.

rugby racing and beer wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:I fully expect the Ospreys to shock a few people this season. A lot of established Welsh internationals have had a long time to get fit and rested and have something to prove as well after years of underachievement at club level. At least in the early weeks of the season I can see them taking a few scalps.

Who are Ospreys likely to shock?  

The Pro12 plus friends.

That’s a few people all right. But which teams do you expect them to beat?

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:I fully expect the Ospreys to shock a few people this season. A lot of established Welsh internationals have had a long time to get fit and rested and have something to prove as well after years of underachievement at club level. At least in the early weeks of the season I can see them taking a few scalps.

Who are Ospreys likely to shock?  

The Pro12 plus friends.

That’s a few people all right.   But which teams do you expect them to beat?

Zebre.

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:I fully expect the Ospreys to shock a few people this season. A lot of established Welsh internationals have had a long time to get fit and rested and have something to prove as well after years of underachievement at club level. At least in the early weeks of the season I can see them taking a few scalps.

Who are Ospreys likely to shock?  

The Pro12 plus friends.

That’s a few people all right.   But which teams do you expect them to beat?

A few of the teams they haven't been beating for the last 3 seasons.

Why are you being insistent on this point? Bit weird. Do you think I have a crystal ball or something?

mikey_dragon wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:I fully expect the Ospreys to shock a few people this season. A lot of established Welsh internationals have had a long time to get fit and rested and have something to prove as well after years of underachievement at club level. At least in the early weeks of the season I can see them taking a few scalps.

Who are Ospreys likely to shock?  

The Pro12 plus friends.

That’s a few people all right.   But which teams do you expect them to beat?

Zebre.

You'd expect that as a given. Zebre, Dragons, and Kings have been walk overs for a long, long time. I'm talking about upsets, though, mikey.

He’s insistent because you’re talking rubbish, there still absolutely no sign to indicate Ospreys will take a few scalps yet. So what is it based on? Oh and Ospreys lost to Dragons and Kings so yeah but nah. New account and you’re still going down on the Ospreys, it’s good for a bit of a laugh I guess.

rugby racing and beer wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:I fully expect the Ospreys to shock a few people this season. A lot of established Welsh internationals have had a long time to get fit and rested and have something to prove as well after years of underachievement at club level. At least in the early weeks of the season I can see them taking a few scalps.

Who are Ospreys likely to shock?  

The Pro12 plus friends.

That’s a few people all right.   But which teams do you expect them to beat?

Zebre.

You'd expect that as a given. Zebre, Dragons, and Kings have been walk overs for a long, long time. I'm talking about upsets, though, mikey.

That’s 3 out of the way then. And no Cheetahs or Kings. Only 9 shock upsets to go.

World class Hibernian refereeing once more.

de Allende drops the ball as he's tackled - penalty to Munster.

Wonderful. What a competition.

mikey_dragon wrote:He’s insistent because you’re talking rubbish, there still absolutely no sign to indicate Ospreys will take a few scalps yet. So what is it based on? Oh and Ospreys lost to Dragons and Kings so yeah but nah. New account and you’re still going down on the Ospreys, it’s good for a bit of a laugh I guess.

Be quiet soft lad.

Shock Result. Munster win against Scarlets in Wales with last minute kick.

What a result.

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:I fully expect the Ospreys to shock a few people this season. A lot of established Welsh internationals have had a long time to get fit and rested and have something to prove as well after years of underachievement at club level. At least in the early weeks of the season I can see them taking a few scalps.

Who are Ospreys likely to shock?  

The Pro12 plus friends.

That’s a few people all right.   But which teams do you expect them to beat?

Zebre.

You'd expect that as a given. Zebre, Dragons, and Kings have been walk overs for a long, long time. I'm talking about upsets, though, mikey.

That’s 3 out of the way then.  And no Cheetahs or Kings.   Only 9 shock upsets to go.  

Not sure why this has proved to be so difficult for you?

I've made a fairly self evident statement and justified with my reasoning. Not a lot more needs to be said.

What are you struggling with? Why do you want to know which specific teams they'll beat? That's not what I said, so I'm not sure why you're desperate for this information?

Is it betting related? Do you think I have the almanac from back to the future? Are you hoping I'll give you the answers to make lots of money?

I have a great track record for predictions, I know - but you don't know that so I'm not sure why you seem insistent on this? Or are you just the kind of statto who likes compiling spreadsheets and data and you're gathering all the predictions from 606 members so you can analyse it all at the end of the season?

I just can't work out what you're trying to gain here? There must be something motivating you because, as far as I can tell, it's just the behaviour of someone utterly bored and desperate for a bit of a reaction on the internet? That can't be the reason, surely?

Again, I'm really struggling why this has got your neurons firing and is of such interest to you...can you explain?

Why are you struggling, struggling, struggling with the statement I made?

rugby racing and beer wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:I fully expect the Ospreys to shock a few people this season. A lot of established Welsh internationals have had a long time to get fit and rested and have something to prove as well after years of underachievement at club level. At least in the early weeks of the season I can see them taking a few scalps.

Who are Ospreys likely to shock?  

The Pro12 plus friends.

That’s a few people all right.   But which teams do you expect them to beat?

Zebre.

You'd expect that as a given. Zebre, Dragons, and Kings have been walk overs for a long, long time. I'm talking about upsets, though, mikey.

That’s 3 out of the way then.  And no Cheetahs or Kings.   Only 9 shock upsets to go.  

Not sure why this has proved to be so difficult for you?

I've made a fairly self evident statement and justified with my reasoning. Not a lot more needs to be said.

What are you struggling with? Why do you want to know which specific teams they'll beat? That's not what I said, so I'm not sure why you're desperate for this information?

Is it betting related? Do you think I have the almanac from back to the future? Are you hoping I'll give you the answers to make lots of money?

I have a great track record for predictions, I know - but you don't know that so I'm not sure why you seem insistent on this? Or are you just the kind of statto who likes compiling spreadsheets and data and you're gathering all the predictions from 606 members so you can analyse it all at the end of the season?

I just can't work out what you're trying to gain here? There must be something motivating you because, as far as I can tell, it's just the behaviour of someone utterly bored and desperate for a bit of a reaction on the internet? That can't be the reason, surely?

Again, I'm really struggling why this has got your neurons firing and is of such interest to you...can you explain?

Why are you struggling, struggling, struggling with the statement I made?

If you’re struggling, then we’ll leave you be. Don’t take it too seriously - it’s only a game, remember.

Oh ok, given that complete non sequitur and 'I know you are you said you are but what am I' response instead of clarifying what you were struggling with, I guess you were just on the WUM. Good to know.

rugby racing and beer wrote:Oh ok, given that complete non sequitur and 'I know you are you said you are but what am I' response instead of clarifying what you were struggling with, I guess you were just on the WUM. Good to know.

Jeez - you don’t half waffle on, bud. No wonder you’re struggling. Let’s make it simple.

Do you think Ospreys will beat Edinburgh this evening?

Haha, I'm waffling on? Good one.

Not sure - what do you think, and why do you ask?

rugby racing and beer wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:He’s insistent because you’re talking rubbish, there still absolutely no sign to indicate Ospreys will take a few scalps yet. So what is it based on? Oh and Ospreys lost to Dragons and Kings so yeah but nah. New account and you’re still going down on the Ospreys, it’s good for a bit of a laugh I guess.

Be quiet soft lad.

And that’s the best you can do, rather than answer the question? Jeez no wonder everyone’s fed up of you.

rugby racing and beer wrote:Haha, I'm waffling on? Good one.

Not sure - what do you think, and why do you ask?

Yes - the responses you write are waffle. For the most part, verbose, long-winded diatribes, peppered with inaccuracies or opinions dressed up as facts. .

Even getting answers to simple questions seems to be beyond your writing grasp. You ventured a strong opinion that you fully expect Ospreys to get some shock wins cos they’ve lots of seasoned internationals back and had lots of underachieving to correct. So, taking that searing insight, I asked do you think they’ll win against Edinburgh. And your response is not sure and why do I ask?

Let’s leave it there.

Thanks for confirming who the WUM is.

What a joke.

I'll answer questions asked in good faith. It's simple. If you don't understand comments more than 3 sentences long, that's a you problem, Pot.

mikey_dragon wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:He’s insistent because you’re talking rubbish, there still absolutely no sign to indicate Ospreys will take a few scalps yet. So what is it based on? Oh and Ospreys lost to Dragons and Kings so yeah but nah. New account and you’re still going down on the Ospreys, it’s good for a bit of a laugh I guess.

Be quiet soft lad.

And that’s the best you can do, rather than answer the question? Jeez no wonder everyone’s fed up of you.

It's the best you deserve. There's a difference, chum...

You’re already boring everyone chump. Keep up the good work before your next ‘retirement’.

Last night was good wins for Ulster and Leinster but was to be expected.

Blue maybe showing signs of progress to win away from home with 14 men. In previous seasons they would have lost it.

Benetton will be disappointed in their second half. Should have picked up a LBP and TBP but picked up nothing.

While Dragons may have lost by 30 it was a fairly strong Leinster team. They have been turned over by much weaker teams so definately an improvement.

Today big win from Connacht. First Scottish win since 2017 and picking up the important home win against a bigger team.

Not a great result for Scarlets, couldn't score any tries at home. 15 mins to go Munster go down to 14 men and Scarlets concedes 13 unanswered points. Not really the best start.

Brendan, considering Dragons used to lose to Leinster 2nd’s by 50 to 3, that was an improvement. Hoping to see Bateman in the next game though. 

I thought Blues were rubbish, mainly due to the tactics they’re being taught to play, but credit to them. Their coach is absolutely clueless regarding selection and tactics though. 

Scarlets losing at home and not scoring tries for their last two competitive games is a grave concern considering they’re our flagship team. They were dominated in the scrum by Munster, that’s also a concern. I never rated Wyn Jones anyway so Pivac must be hopeful that Carre can step up. We are just one game in though so not all doom and gloom just yet. 

Ospreys got a good win in Edinburgh, bit of a surprise. Webb was very good. It’s refreshing to see them playing with confidence, we haven’t seen that in a long time! Edinburgh were really rubbish though. 

All the Irish teams look quite healthy.

Oh look, the Ospreys won.

Look at that.

What a surprise.

Who on earth could have predicted that they would ever put in a few shock results early in the season.

"Talking rubbish". "Waffle".

Mods, please sort this mess out. It's clear there are some disgruntled people wanting to get me banned but, really, when karma is as swift in its retribution as this, you can take it as a direct message from the gods: rugby, racing, and beer is right. Again. As always. Everyone else needs to just simmer down.

Brendan wrote:Today big win from Connacht.  First Scottish win since 2017 and picking up the important home win against a bigger team.

Not a great result for Scarlets, couldn't score any tries at home.  15 mins to go Munster go down to 14 men and Scarlets concedes 13 unanswered points.  Not really the best start.

There were about 5 50:50 decisions in the last 12 minutes, compounded by a terrible decision to award a penalty because Damien de Allende dropped the ball as he was tackled (he claimed tackler not rolling away or hands on the floor or something, basically a cop out, it doesn't matter, it's same old, same old from Celtic Rugby). Good comeback from Munster but the ref played a big part in handing them a key momentum switch. They scored directly from the penalty kick to touch because a South African world cup winner dropped the ball in contact. Hanging officiating, absolutely hanging.

Imagine liking your own posts.

RiscaGame wrote:Imagine liking your own posts.

Indeed. I suppose someone has to.

I know. You're all oddly hostile. I prefer to spread love not hate.

Here's some highlights

Great win for Ospreys away from home. Result of the round for me.

Brendan wrote:Great win for Ospreys away from home.  Result of the round for me.

Edinburgh's 4th loss on the bounce and missing a few of their decent players. Ospreys stacked with their test players. Not particularly surprising.

Edinburgh going from poor to abysmal. Cockerill has a fight on his hands to get them back on the horse.

rugby racing and beer wrote:

Brendan wrote:Today big win from Connacht.  First Scottish win since 2017 and picking up the important home win against a bigger team.

Not a great result for Scarlets, couldn't score any tries at home.  15 mins to go Munster go down to 14 men and Scarlets concedes 13 unanswered points.  Not really the best start.

There were about 5 50:50 decisions in the last 12 minutes, compounded by a terrible decision to award a penalty because Damien de Allende dropped the ball as he was tackled (he claimed tackler not rolling away or hands on the floor or something, basically a cop out, it doesn't matter, it's same old, same old from Celtic Rugby). Good comeback from Munster but the ref played a big part in handing them a key momentum switch. They scored directly from the penalty kick to touch because a South African world cup winner dropped the ball in contact. Hanging officiating, absolutely hanging.

Not sure how lucky munster were after scoring 3 tries to Scarlets 0.

profitius wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:

Brendan wrote:Today big win from Connacht.  First Scottish win since 2017 and picking up the important home win against a bigger team.

Not a great result for Scarlets, couldn't score any tries at home.  15 mins to go Munster go down to 14 men and Scarlets concedes 13 unanswered points.  Not really the best start.

There were about 5 50:50 decisions in the last 12 minutes, compounded by a terrible decision to award a penalty because Damien de Allende dropped the ball as he was tackled (he claimed tackler not rolling away or hands on the floor or something, basically a cop out, it doesn't matter, it's same old, same old from Celtic Rugby). Good comeback from Munster but the ref played a big part in handing them a key momentum switch. They scored directly from the penalty kick to touch because a South African world cup winner dropped the ball in contact. Hanging officiating, absolutely hanging.

Not sure how lucky munster were after scoring 3 tries to Scarlets 0.

Not sure that's a great stat in the circumstances. The Scarlets constantly turned down the corner to kick 3 points. Munster were incredibly fortunate to score 20 points in 12 minutes while down a man, in no small part helped by stupid play for the Scarlets giving away needless penalties, as well as a massive helping hand by the referee.

If you don't think calling a penalty that leads to a converted try to draw the game lucky then I don't know what is. Luck of the Irish? Maybe the definition of luck gets lost in translation. To me, they were reliant on a terrible refereeing error to go from 27-20 to 27-27.

The last 12 minutes, I should add, too.

A travesty indeed.

rugby racing and beer wrote:

profitius wrote:

rugby racing and beer wrote:

Brendan wrote:Today big win from Connacht.  First Scottish win since 2017 and picking up the important home win against a bigger team.

Not a great result for Scarlets, couldn't score any tries at home.  15 mins to go Munster go down to 14 men and Scarlets concedes 13 unanswered points.  Not really the best start.

There were about 5 50:50 decisions in the last 12 minutes, compounded by a terrible decision to award a penalty because Damien de Allende dropped the ball as he was tackled (he claimed tackler not rolling away or hands on the floor or something, basically a cop out, it doesn't matter, it's same old, same old from Celtic Rugby). Good comeback from Munster but the ref played a big part in handing them a key momentum switch. They scored directly from the penalty kick to touch because a South African world cup winner dropped the ball in contact. Hanging officiating, absolutely hanging.

Not sure how lucky munster were after scoring 3 tries to Scarlets 0.

Not sure that's a great stat in the circumstances. The Scarlets constantly turned down the corner to kick 3 points. Munster were incredibly fortunate to score 20 points in 12 minutes while down a man, in no small part helped by stupid play for the Scarlets giving away needless penalties, as well as a massive helping hand by the referee.

If you don't think calling a penalty that leads to a converted try to draw the game lucky then I don't know what is. Luck of the Irish? Maybe the definition of luck gets lost in translation. To me, they were reliant on a terrible refereeing error to go from 27-20 to 27-27.

Reading over the Scarlets fan forum and no one is blaming the ref, in fact they think the ref had a good game. Seams like its only you blaming the ref for Scarlets throwing it away. Scarlets fans blame their bench, not being good enough to carry their momentum.