Winners and losers as 20-year-old's stunning moment shows why Wales invite came
It was the second round of the European rugby season and for the first time in a while it was a positive one for Welsh rugby.
Cardiff claimed a solid victory over the Cheetahs, the Dragons overcome Newcastle Falcons and the Scarlets were made to work hard before eventually coming out on top against Black Lion. But it was a weekend to forget for the Ospreys who were brutally put to the sword by French big spenders Montpellier.
While there are no clubs from Wales in the Investec Champions Cup this season there was plenty of Welsh representation in the top tier competition. With all that in mind, here's the winners and losers from this weekend...
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Winners
Josh Adams and Tom Bowen
Cardiff got their Challenge Cup campaign back on track with a 26-10 victory over the Cheetahs at the Arms Park and both wingers were instrumental. Gatland will have been delighted to see Adams looking sharp and somewhere close to his best.
The 29-year-old missed Wales' summer tour of Australia and the Autumn Nations Series with a knee injury but is virtually nailed on for a place in Gatland's Six Nations squad. Adams was prominent throughout, crossing for two tries while his work both defensively and under the high ball was of a high standard.
On the other end of the age scale teenage wing Tom Bowen couldn't have dreamed of a better performance on his competitive debut. The 18-year-old has serious pace and caused havoc on the edges but he is more than just a speed merchant with his spatial awareness and his defence also sound.
Bowen was the architect for Adams' first try while he also touched down for one of his own. Matt Sherratt is wise enough not to put too much pressure on Bowen but clearly the wing has a very high ceiling.
Huw Anderson
The 20-year-old was the standout player as the Dragons claimed just their second win this season with a 22-14 victory over Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park. Anderson ran in a sensational try from 70 metres out in the 60th minute of an entertaining encounter to fire the Dragons to victory.
The Wales U20s star has real x-factor with his footwork, pace and offloading too much for Newcastle to deal with. Anderson's performance outlined his obvious potential and showed why he had been called in to train with the senior Wales squad this autumn.
Of course he has areas of his game he needs to work on and is very much a work in progress but Anderson is a player Dragons and Wales fans can get excited about.
Liam Williams
The 33-year-old put in a fine display in his second Saracens debut as the English club claimed an impressive 28-17 Investec Champions Cup victory over Stade Francais in Paris. Williams recently rejoined Saracens from Japanese club Kubota Spears in another big boost for Gatland who will now have the option of selecting the experienced full-back in his Six Nations squad, which wouldn't have been the case had he remained in Japan.
Williams got denied what would have been a terrific finish in the early stages of the match, only for the try to be ruled out due to his foot brushing the touchline. But he finally crossed the whitewash after an excellent long pass from Elliot Daly put the Wales star over.
Williams was also as assured as ever under the high ball while he looked dangerous whenever in possession and is likely to be a key player for Wales during the Six Nations where his experience could prove invaluable alongside the likes of Cameron Winnett.
Josh Macleod
Injury has so far prevented the 28-year-old from winning more than two caps for his country but he has been outstanding so far this season for the Scarlets. Macleod missed the second half of last season due to a knee injury and it is no coincidence to see the Scarlets' performances improve since their captain has returned to action.
The industrious openside was named the official player of the match as the Scarlets gained revenge for last season's embarrassing defeat to Georgian outfit Black Lion with a 36-18 Challenge Cup victory in Llanelli. Macleod was a menace at the breakdown and was relentless in defence, while he also crossed for a brace of tries to take his tally up to five this season.
Unfortunately for Macleod he plays in a position where Wales are strong with the likes of Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, James Botham and Taine Basham all vying for positions. But if he continues in this rich vein of form then he will surely be considered by Gatland if injuries occur to the status quo.
Losers
Ospreys
It was always going to be tough for the Ospreys out in France and it must be noted Montpellier have a playing budget which is almost three times higher than the Welsh club. But even so, this was a poor performance from Toby Booth's side who slipped to a heavy 59-15 defeat in France, conceding nine tries in the process.
The Ospreys won so many admirers last season for their gutsy never say die attitude but this was as poor as they've played since their inception in 2003. They got blown away physically while they were annihilated at the scrum and defensively they were all at sea.
When the Ospreys lost last season, teams had to work very hard to score points against them but they buckled far too easily against Montpellier. Toby Booth is adamant the announcement of his departure at the end of the season has had no bearing on performances this season.
Whatever the issue is it needs to be resolved very quickly with a spicy west Wales derby against the Scarlets at the Swansea.com Stadium just around the corner.
Regan Grace
Grace is another player Gatland would have been happy to see return to action but he ended up on the losing side as Bath slipped to a last-gasp 22-21 Champions Cup defeat to Benetton in Italy. Last season's Gallagher Premiership finalists have disappointed in the opening rounds of the Champions Cup, losing to La Rochelle at home in round one, and now face an uphill task to reach the knockout stages.
Grace didn't have many opportunities to show his worth in attack with his minutes having been limited this season due to a hamstring injury. Grace was a revelation for St Helens in the 13-man code, winning three Super League titles and a Challenge Cup with the Saints, while he performed well for Wales in an uncapped game against the Queensland Reds over the summer.
The 28-year-old is someone with international potential but he will need to get a run of games under his belt for Bath first.
Will Rowlands
The 33-year-old was part of a strong Racing 92 side who suffered a heavy 29-7 defeat to Sale Sharks in Salford on Friday night. On paper Racing have one of the strongest squads in the Champions Cup but didn't turn up against a Sale side who looked far hungrier.
Surprisingly, the Racing pack got beaten up and while it was a collective failure Rowlands struggled to impose himself. The powerful second-row has been one of Wales' better players since making his Test debut under Wayne Pivac in 2020 but was below-par throughout the Autumn Nations Series.
If Wales are to finally get back on the winning trail during the Six Nations they will need Rowlands back to his best especially with Adam Beard a major doubt for the start of the Championship with a knee injury.