Clubs help to lift the gloom on darkest of days for Welsh rugby

SATURDAY afternoon at the Principality Stadium was arguably the lowest point in the history of Welsh rugby.

- STEFFAN THOMAS Rugby reporter steffan.thomas@reachplccom

To lose 73-0 at home, even if it was against the back-to-back world champions, was completely and utterly horrific.

Steve Tandy’s side got pulverised and they are undoubtedly the worst tier one nation, if indeed they can still be called one.

But on a positive note both the Scarlets and Cardiff achieved a couple of fine results in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday.

Here are your winners and losers....

Winners

SCARLETS

In what was a very dark day for Welsh rugby the Scarlets ended it on a high note.

Dwayne Peel's side didn’t have a single point to their name going into Saturday night's game against Glasgow in Llanelli, while their backline was decimated by international call-ups.

But the Scarlets were outstanding as they thrashed the former champions 23-0 to claim a first victory of the season.

The Scarlets were boosted by the return of some key forwards in Jake Ball, Max Douglas, Ryan Elias and Josh Macleod, while Kiwi backrower Fletcher Anderson was superb on debut.

‘The west Walians took Glasgow to the cleaners upfront as their scrum annihilated the Scottish outfit.

Macleod and Macs Page scored the tries, while the outstanding Sam Costelow kicked 13 points.

CARDIFF RUGBY

It is a very dark time for Welsh rugby, with the Welsh Rugby Union looking to reduce the number of professional teams from four to three.

Despite some positive results this weekend, three of the four clubs have struggled badly for results but Cardiff have been the exception to the rule.

‘The Welsh club have played six and won five, with the only defeat a narrow one against Munster in Limerick.

Shorn of 15 players through Wales call-ups and injuries, Cardiff claimed an impressive 29-14 victory over Zebre in Parma.

Cardiff are now second in the URC table, just two points off the Stormers in first place.