Byrne, baby, Byrne...

The indiscretions of the Ospreys coaching team may cost Wales dear. Those responsible for fielding the Ospreys full back as part of a 16 man attempt to shut out the Tigers had best stay clear of Messrs Gatland and Edwards. They will miss his big left boot and dominant skill under the high ball for sure. Expect the English to pepper James Hook with aerial bombs - judging from the Saxons against Ireland A at the Bath Rec earlier today, the coaching team has clearly figured that the cross kick/box kick/hail mary is going to be their contribution to the tournament's excitement quotient. Perhaps they're hoping for a richochet off the roof to fox the Welsh back three.

Heineken failing to reach the English parts...

Post-war Welsh Rugby Union
So the Saints go marching on...alone.
The coaches have been quick to point the finger at the attritional nature of life in the Premership. More pertinently, the fact that super rich clubs such as the Ospreys and Toulouse are not salary capped is also a crucial factor. To survive the heavy casualty rate of a modern rugby season, you have to have covering players of real quality.
The Irish and Welsh teams play in the Magners League, which has a more sympathetic fixture list. It is also less attritional - but that does not make it a lesser competition - if it was, the Munsters of this world would find it impossible to step up the intensity. There is another factor at play here, too. The Irish and Welsh (and, of late, the Scots, too) seem to be able to develop their young talent in the Magners in a way that the results driven Premiership clubs find difficult. Hence - more quality cover that's been tested in game situations, and an eye on developing talent rather than buying in another "name" player.