Monday Round-Up

Delight for Lee: Wales and Scarlets rugby fans alike are waking to heartwarming news this morning, as reports emerge that tight head prop Samson Lee has put pen to paper on a National Dual Contract. Becoming the seventh player to do so, Lee’s future now remains at the region of his choice within Wales for the coming years. As one of Wales’ standout players during their recent Autumn series, Lee’s form in the no.3 jersey as gone some way to alleviate fears surrounding the dwindling international stock of the once great Adam Jones. With the World Cup just 8 months away, Lee’s continuation of his current form may well be crucial for Warren Gatland’s side if they are to overcome the likes of England and Australia in the pool stages. Lee joins the likes of national skipper Sam Warburton, fellow Scarlets prop Rhodri Jones, Dan Lydiate and Jake Ball as some of those players currently signed up to a dual contract, with a multitude of others set to be targeted in the coming months. Having made his international debut against Argentina in 2013, Lee has gone on to win 9 caps. 

Ospreys win derby: A Dan Biggar inspired performance was enough to see the Ospreys comfortably defeat local rivals the Newport-Gwent Dragons yesterday, as the hosts ran out 22-11 victors at the Liberty Stadium. Despite a rather dull and uninspiring opening period, it was the home side who saw most of the ball, controlling proceedings for much of the first 40. After both kickers had exchanged pleasantries from the tee, it was left to flanker Dan Lydiate to kick the game into action with a powerful run which set the Ospreys on the front foot. Several phases later and it was Canadian Tyler Ardron who crossed for the game’s first try. Leading 13-6 at the break, following another exchange of penalties, the second period saw the hosts pull away through another four kicks courtesy of Dan Biggar in the ten jersey and despite the Dragons’ best efforts, a comeback of any serious note never materialised.

Ryan Sheady