CONDITIONING matches can be dangerous occasions, just ask the Newport Gwent Dragons class of 2012/13.

Five years ago Darren Edwards’ squad took on a Gwent Premiership Select side comprising of players from Newport, Cross Keys and Bedwas.

The management had put the players through a week of gruelling, energy-sapping pre-season training and in wet conditions suffered the humiliation of a 16-10 defeat to the part-timers.

Wales, in their black training kit, were never in danger of a similar humbling in Colwyn Bay against RGC 1404 in their preparation for Tests against Tonga and Samoa, romping to a 14-try, 88-19 success.

It was undoubtedly a bit of missionary work/a PR exercise rather than a proper encounter at Parc Eirias, and at times the gulf was slightly embarrassing, but it was also of more value than another training session.

That being said, RGC’s South Africa Tiaan Loots may have won the final Premiership player of the month award but it will be a different proposition against the likes of Leicester speedster Telusa Veainu of Tonga and Cardiff Blues’ Samoan Rey Lee-Lo.

Just like pre-season friendlies in August, it is foolish to read too much into such a fixture and in many ways we just saw what we already knew about players.

At times it was shapeless and unlike a normal game between professionals, with not much of a typical breakdown battle or tactical set-piece tussle.

And in many ways there was plenty to lose but not much to gain for the Wales players on show.

A strong showing would give the management team a nudge ahead of the Tonga and Samoa Tests but it would have the caveat of it just being against Premiership opposition.

But an off night, and failure to repeat the midweek efforts from the training paddock, had the potential to be damaging.

McBryde and his coaches would have been desperate to emerge with a clean bill of health, especially for likely key figures at Eden Park on June 16 such as Jamie Roberts, Sam Davies, Ellis Jenkins and Cory Hill.

There were some bumps and bruises but no major alarms.

Western Telegraph:

The north Walians showed plenty of snap in defence but were always in trouble when the ball made its way to the wide channels and the first try was scored in the fourth minute, openside Jenkins going over down the right after a counter attack from deep.

The second came three minutes later when quick lineout ball was worked wide for Ospreys-bound Cory Allen, playing on the right wing rather than his preferred centre, to kick and gather for a smart score than full-back Gareth Anscombe converted for 12-0.

Try number three arrived after big charge by Allen who offloaded for Jenkins then it was Allen himself who was over for the ‘bonus point score’ with 15 minutes on the clock.

Dragons centre Tyler Morgan went over after a fine burst by flanker Seb Davies and a nicely-timed pass by captain Roberts and things were getting out of control, Anscombe’s touchline conversion making it 33-0 after with less than a quarter played.

But the home crowd were on their feet when miscommunication between Dragons number eight Ollie Griffiths and hooker Kristian Dacey saw the loose ball hacked on for RGC to get on the scoreboard through full-back Afon Bagshaw after fly-half Sam Davies was smashed when covering.

Normal service was resumed on 29 minutes when Davies jinked through delightfully in the 22 to give Morgan, who had a chance at 13 while shoo-in Scott Williams was in his tracksuit after his title-winning exertions with the Scarets, the simplest of scores.

Home centre Tom Hughes then picked off an awful Jamie Roberts pass to make it 40-12 before the Wales captain made amends with a trademark powerful finish.

Defence coach Shaun Edwards would have been raging about a Evan Yardley try on the stroke of half-time – a poor kick chase then passive tackles in midfield and a miss by Allen – but Wales had the final say of the half with a terrific individual score by Morgan for his hat-trick that made it 54-19.

Mass changes were made but the scoring continued after the break with Alex Cuthbert (2), Anscombe, flanker Thomas Young (2), Allen going over for the ‘visitors’ as the game completely lost its value, although it wasn’t all about the 80 minutes up north.

RGC scorers: tries – A Bagshaw, T Hughes, E Yardley; conversion – J Botica (2)

Wales scorers: tries – E Jenkins (2), C Allen (3), T Morgan (3), J Roberts, A Cuthbert (2), G Anscombe, T Young (2); conversions – G Anscombe (7), O Williams (2)