Scrum V

Lauren Salter is joined by former Wales internationals Jonathan Davies and Ellis Jenkins as well as Wales and Dragons prop Dillon Lewis who reacts to Aaron Waingwright leaving the region for Leicester Tigers at the end of the season. The team also look back on the festive derbies, look ahead to round three of the Champions and Challenge Cup and give their early picks for Six Nations selection.

Rugby commentator Gareth Griffiths joins Lauren Salter and Alex Cuthbert to dissect the festive derby action and the pressing off-field matters in Welsh rugby. They explore the Dragons' resurgence and Aaron Wainwright's potential move to Leicester, addressing its implications for regional rugby. The discussion touches on the Ospreys' pack dominance, the Scarlets' injuries, and Cardiff’s attacking strategies. Griffiths highlights the urgent need for club transparency and reforms to tackle current challenges, making for a thought-provoking analysis.

Lauren Salter and former Wales internationals Gareth Delve and Richie Rees reflect on the weekend’s United Rugby Championship results including another win for the Dragons and a derby victory for Scarlets. Dragons climbed off the bottom of the table with a remarkable 48-28 victory over Connacht, ending a 15-month winless streak in the URC. Meanwhile, Scarlets won the first Welsh derby of the festive season after beating Cardiff 21-17 at the Arms Park, but Ospreys suffered a 26-10 defeat at home to Munster, meaning they’ll be bottom of the league at Christmas.

Joining Lauren Salter on the sofas this week is Celebrity Masterchef finalist and former Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones alongside former Wales internationals Jonathan Davies and Ellis Jenkins to discuss Alun Wyn's cooking skills and to look ahead to the festive derbies in the URC.

Gareth Rhys Owen and Lauren Salter are joined by ex-Dragons winger Ashton Hewitt and former Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap to discuss the news that Wales captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake will leave Ospreys at the end of the season to join Gloucester.The team also reflect on a successful weekend for Welsh sides in Europe with three of the four regions winning their games, including a first victory of the year for Dragons, and they preview the start of the Celtic Challenge this weekend.

Lauren Salter is joined by Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies and Sean Holley to discuss the news that Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan are in contention to sign for Gloucester, the future of the Ospreys, European rugby memories and look ahead to this weekend’s round two action.

Scrum V looks back at Jonah Lomu’s debut for Cardiff 20 years ago and the impact rugby’s first global superstar made at the Arms Park. Former Cardiff team-mate Xavier Rush shares his memories of that remarkable period, while ex-Wales captain Kingsley Jones — whose father, Phil Kingsley Jones, who discovered and managed Lomu for years — reflects on the moment Lomu burst onto the world stage as a 20-year-old at the 1995 World Cup.

The hosts dive into the thrilling comeback of the Ospreys, who avoided a Welsh whitewash with a dramatic win over Connacht. They discuss the impressive performance of Thomas Williams for Gloucester and how player contributions can shift team dynamics. The impact of weather on match strategies is also explored, along with the challenges facing Welsh regions amid off-field pressures. Additionally, there’s a lively debate on the relevance of European rugby formats and the struggles of the Dragons to find their footing this season.

Jamie Roberts, a former Wales international and current board member, shares insights on Welsh rugby's future. Tom Shanklin, another former player and coach, voices concerns about squad depth after a heavy defeat to South Africa. Alex Cuthbert discusses playing styles and performance metrics. They also explore the need for bigger ball carriers and the impact of autumn tests on fan perception. Governance challenges in Welsh rugby are highlighted, with calls for transparency and brave decision-making to navigate a crisis. Community issues, like the Penarth RFC fire, add a personal touch to the serious discussions.

Ian Gough, a former Wales international rugby player, and James Hook, a former fly-half, delve into Wales' striking 73-0 defeat to South Africa. Gough reflects on the historical parallels with the 1998 loss, while Hook provides keen tactical insights into the physical mismatch. They discuss player selection strategies, the implications of financial pressures on Welsh rugby, and the prospects for rebuilding the team’s strength. The conversation also touches on whether any lessons were gained from this heavy loss and the broader challenges facing Welsh rugby.