SHANE WILLIAMS
WHAT a shame there were no fans at the Arms Park to watch that great European clash between Cardiff and Harlequins. It was end-toend stuff and there was a dramatic finish with Quins earning a penalty with the clock in the red.
It was 36-36 and up stepped Marcus Smith to win the game. It might have been a regulation kick for him, but it still needed to bisect the posts. He hit the target, Quins made it three from three in the Champions Cup and Smith proved he can work his magic on any pitch in any country.
What a performance, what a player! At a ground where Barry John used to strut his stuff, here was a player from a similar mould as ‘The King'.
If Eddie Jones doesn't give him first shot at the England No.10 jersey in the Six Nations then the RFU should sack him immediately. He makes things happen all around him and he must be a nightmare to play against.
Three tries came from his superb kicking game and he scored one himself as well. Is there anything he can't do?
The encouraging thing was the way in which Cardiff kept on taking the game to Quins. After the terrible ordeal they have suffered in recent months due to Covid and isolation, it seemed as though they were getting back up to speed.
All the Welsh regions have suffered through lack of game time and it has to be a concern for Wayne Pivac ahead of his side's title defence next month.
He names his squad on Tuesday and he might even consider letting some key players get extra game time under their belts before calling them into camp.
Cardiff play Leinster the week before Wales go to Dublin, Ospreys host Edinburgh and the Scarlets head to Belfast to meet Ulster.
The Dragons welcome Benetton Rugby. Those fixtures might give players who have only had one of two outings in the past three months with a chance to get minutes in the bank before heading onto the international stage.
