The Heineken Cup

I've recently started working for a media company called Statrugby. The job entails writing stat pieces for their website each week and attending games, recording all the key information on our trendy PDA's back to the director, Hugh Copping. I've been assigned to watch the Llanelli Scarlets for the rest of this season. My first live game from the press box sitting alongside BBC's Eddie Butler and former England coach Dick Best was a treat. A Heineken Cup clash between the Scarlets and Toulouse at the intimating Stradey Park.

The Scarlets had failed to beat Toulouse in four previous encounters and the West Walians looked like they would finally break the duck when they romped into a 13-0 lead early on thanks to a Scott MacLeod try and the boot of Welsh captain Stephen Jones. Three-times Heineken Cup champions Toulouse hit back either side of half time with 17 unanswered points but the Scarlets fought back and Simon Easterby's try with fifteen minutes left won the tie. Toulouse and fly-half Gaffie Du Toit had several drop-goals chances charged down in the dying minutes but the Scarlets held on.

An enjoyable day especially when you throw in a three-course meal before the match and beer for free all day. I think I could get used to this lifestyle!