Old hands deliver pressing cases to Tandy as travel woes bite Scarlets

‘T was another eventful weekend of action both in the United Rugby Championship and Super Rygbi Cymru.

- STEFFAN THOMAS

> Aaron Wainwright

‘There were no victories for the Welsh sides in the URC, with the Dragons coming the closest only to be held to a draw at Rodney Parade by the Sharks.

‘The Scarlets’ trip to Galway was postponed because of Storm Amy, while it proved to be a mixed weekend for Welsh players in the Gallagher Prem.

Here are your winners and losers.

‘The Dragons threw the kitchen sink at the Sharks in terrible conditions at Rodney Parade on Friday night but could not quite get over the line as they were held to a 17-17 draw.

But this was as good as the Dragons have played in two years and Wales No. 8 Wainwright led the charge with an excellent individual performance.

Wainwright finished the game as the joint-highest carrier with 13 and also put in a terrific defensive shift, while he was also effective in the wide channels.

But his moment of glory came in the 17th minute when he hit a fine angle off a pass from Tinus de Beer to charge clear before stepping the final defender to score.

New Wales head coach Steve Tandy was watching in the stands and he will have been very impressed by the 28-year-old, who will surely be a key player for his country this November.

‘The wing enjoyed a cracking game against Munster, scoring a hat-trick of tries to ensure Cardiff left Limerick with two bonus points.

Cardiff couldn't quite get over the line at Thomond Park as they slipped to a 23-20 defeat. But Bowen was electric.

‘The youngster has serious pace and is also a deadly finisher, as was evident on Saturday as he become the youngest player to score a hat-trick for Cardiff.

He had to work hard for all three tries, showcasing his speed for two of them, and his skills to pluck Callum Sheedy’s cross-kick out of the air for another.