So as I write this, the first (proper) entry of my blog, Munster are 13-3 up against Cardiff after, guess what, another dubious refereeing decision. Oh..it's now 16-3. So much for the EDF champions.
So the Blues' visit to Ireland kicks off this weekend; the only Welsh side not to win last weekend. Even the underperforming Scarlets managed to grind one out against the Celtic League champions last weekend. Gwent sit pretty atop the Magners League after restricting Ulster to two penalties at the Parade last Sunday, whereas the Ospreys went to Connacht. No prizes for guessing who won there.
Over the bridge, the Harlequins debacle rumbles on...sort of. Not content with faking blood injuries to their own players, they began their domestic campaign by drawing blood (real blood this time, red cells, white cells, plasma, platelets, the lot) with a headbutt. Classy. The RFU has, for their part meanwhile, said that "Bloodgate" is over. Visiting fans sporting Dracula masks may think otherwise.
Xavier Rush has scored a rather sweet try for the Blues by the way. I'll let you know if they get the conversion in a minute.
Incidentally I plan to run live-commentaries on some matches in the future - keep an eye on this page for more information.
Also in England, Gloucester have lost number 8 Luke Narroway to a back injury for 3 months and Riki Flutey fears a shoulder injury will keep him out of the autumn internationals. If injuries are all English rugby has to worry about then I'm sure they'll take that.
Half time - Munster 16-10 Cardiff. Highlight of the half was Leigh Halfpenny almost running around the entire Munster team before a stupid intervention by the touchjudge brought play back several thousand yards.
Elsewhere in the Celtic League Edinburgh play Connacht. Tomorrow Leinster play Gwent and Ospreys play Ulster. Glasgow play the Scarlets on Sunday. For TV times see the post above this one.
Munster's stadium looks awesome. Such a shame we've opted for slightly-soulless concrete function-over-form boxes in Wales.
Of course the big event this weekend is the Tri-Nations - NZ v SA. A win for South Africa would sew it up, although the All Blacks, while not exactly hitting top gear, are always the ones to watch. If you get up in time - it's on at 8:35am on Sky.
The other big news of the week was that, 50-odd games to go until the autumn internationals, the WRU and RRW have finally hammered out a participation agreement. About bloody time, we all say in Wales. Loving rugby is in our blood. We'll turn out to see the team through famine, hurricane, earthquake. But what we won't tolerate is while the men in red are losing teeth, breaking cheekbones and being eye-gouged on the park, is men in suits arguing over money off it. What I appreciate about this agreement is that the Regions (who owe their very existence to the WRU) have to agree to certain conditions, which I think will finally answer who runs rugby in Wales. And that is the WRU. It will always be the WRU. It will never be some sort of ad-hoc "umbrella body" who can't even run a website, let alone a national pastime.
Getting spicy in the Munster-Blues game now. I'll stop chattering on and get on and enjoy it.
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