The failure of the Welsh regions this season is in sharp contrast to the scene in Ireland, argues Robin Davey. Wasting golden opportunity has become a Welsh trait. It’s not only on the national front where Wales have fallen down this season – it’s much the same when it comes to the domestic scene, too. The Scarlets, though admittedly in a tough group, and the Dragons, both failed to get past the group stages of the European Champions and Challenge Cup, respectively.

The Guinness Pro 12 returns this weekend, but Phil Bennett argues the sense of drift and anti-climax is all too apparent. Instead of ending the season with a bang every year, the Welsh regions finish with a whimper. Thanks goodness for the Ospreys and the Scarlets, otherwise the Welsh rugby season would end in March every year. The Six Nations finished and continued Welsh interest in Europe was over before you could say “Josaia Raisque”.

Rhys Patchell put the miles in – and the smiles on Scarlets faces – as his comeback from injury helped energise the region’s Pro 12 play-off hopes with a 26-10 victory over Edinburgh. Patchell had not played for three months because of an ankle injury, but the fly-half finished the night with two tries and 16 points in a dominant display.

The Scarlets have been trumped in the Six Nations recall game with Edinburgh bringing back nine Scotland players for their clash in Llanelli on Friday night. That is one more than the eight internationals from the tournament the Scarlets have included in their squad.

Liam Williams believes Wales can still win the Six Nations even though it requires an England slip-up. The Scarlets full-back – who is joining Saracens at the end of the season – is convinced a title winners’ medal could be within his grasp if Wales can bounce back from defeat by beating Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac was proud of his men’s heroic effort, even if it ended in their exit from the European Rugby Champions Cup. The Welsh region looked to have sealed a famous victory and kept their quarter-final hopes alive after Scott Williams’ try added to 17 points from the boot of Wales Under-20 outside-half Dan Jones. But Chris Ashton scored the second of his two tries after the clock had ticked past 80 minutes to rescue a draw and send the Scarlets crashing out of the Champions Cup.

Owen Farrell insists the Scarlets’ recent revival has been noted by European champions Saracens. The England No.10 believes the region are a different proposition this weekend to the team that lost at Sarries at the start of the Champions Cup tournament last October.

Scarlets captain Ken Owens has insisted no more could have been done to keep Liam Williams in Welsh rugby. Wales full-back Williams will line up for the Scarlets against his future employers Saracens on Sunday.

Red cards, yellow cards, and refs who have done “beserk”. Robin Davey tackles the issue of the tackle and says rugby is in danger of becoming a mystery to those who are actually on the field.

Liam Williams’ move from the Scarlets to Saracens for next season has been confirmed by both sides. The Wales full-back will complete the season with the Welsh region before joining the English and European champions.

Dai Sport columnist Phil Bennett says the Dragons’ record this season is just not good enough, the Blues are in danger of losing touch with the top six, whilst only the Scarlets and the Ospreys can be relied upon to raise a new year cheer.

The Scarlets’ hopes of Rhys Priestland returning to the region could be undermined by Bath’s determination to keep him. Priestland is out of contract at the end of the season and the Scarlets would like him to re-join them to help plug the gap at full-back by Liam Williams’ impending move to Saracens.