After a massively impressive derby win albeit against a poor Scarlets side, the Ospreys begin to prepare for an away URC fixture against Benetton. Things are complicated by having to face them again the following week in the Challenge Cup so selection will be crucial.
I don't think anyone, Jack Walsh apart, came off with a bad injury and even then, I think Jack's withdrawal was precautionary, so we should be able to name a strong side if Booth wants to. However, I expect some changes as we hold back some players for the Challenge Cup fixture.
Possible Squad
G Thomas G Phillips S Parry L Lloyd/Van De Merwe T Botha R Henry J Fender L Jones A Beard H Deaves M Morris T Davies M Morse/J Morgan
RMW W Kruger D Edwards L Morgan L Scully O Watkin K Williams D Kasende M Nagy J Walsh
Discuss...
The weather forecast is for a cold and wet day with the rain moving off towards 6pm.
I am hoping we smash them.
Missed this game. Any standouts for us?
What a difference a 9 who is quick to the ball, and moves it without writing a letter before passing, makes
What a magnificent performance by our predominately kids, Fender and Tristan Davies were totally brilliant, they deserved so much more from this game than a measly point.
Pretty good effort. A really stupid kick from Scully probably cost the draw. Nagy looks like broken ankle. Was not expecting a bonus point or such a good performance.
Superb effort from 1-23 of this young squad.
Hopefully, with a full team out next week, we batter these.
The ref, who has been pretty decent all night gives a forward pass and the scrum to Benetton. LIkely game over.
A try gives us a draw but the conversion would win it.
Can we do it and get what we deserve?
The Ospreys defence gets narrowed up as carry after carry leads to a Benetton try that they really scarely deserve.
18-13 with the conversion to come.
Massive for Benetton as their clearing kick bounces into touch off Owen Williams giving them an attacking lineout inside the Ospreys 22.
Benetton pinch a lineout but as they look to move the ball wide, a knock on gives the scrum to Ospreys.
Come on lads.
Penalty is good 13-13 all as time ticks towards the final 10 minutes. Next score could win this. Morgan Morse is on for Tristan Davies.
Hopkins knocks on and Benetton have the scrum on halfway. They attack and strong D keeps them at bay only for an offside to see Benetton get a penalty that they will kick for goal.
A poor penalty given away by Ethan Lewis gives Benetton a chance at the posts which is slightly surprising seeing as their maul has been prominent.
The kick is good 10-13 after 65 minutes.
Massive 15 minutes coming up.
You can feel the confidence growing in this young side.
A great maul led by Fender and R Davies goes really close to the line. Deaves plays scrum half and puts L Davies in the corner for the try. 7-13 with a conversion to come which goes wide.
Massive for the young Ospreys.
7-13 after 61 minutes.
TRY Ospreys
Scrum penalty goes to the Ospreys. Corner or posts? Corner it is.
The Ospreys 'bomb' squad of Phillips, Lewis and Warren come on for the starting front row. They need to keep the intensity up.
Regardless of the outcome, these Ospreys youngsters have given a bloody good go of things tonight and can be proud of their performances.
A lovely passage of play from the scrum, Keith with a break and Owen with the 50:22 just 5 metres from the line. Can we capitalise? No we cannot and the scrum goes to Benetton.
Big D from the young Ospreys and Benetton blow a 2-1 overlap. Ospreys scrum.
So we lose Dan Edwards to a HIA and Nagy to a broken leg/ankle. We are down to the barest of bones now in attack. Could be a struggle to fill the back line next week and in future games.
Harri Houston on for Nagy as Hopkins moves to fullback.
Benetton suddenly spark into life and look like the team who have been doing so well recently. A couple of missed tackles led them in but a strange chip kick 10 metres out is marked by Nagy and the Ospreys can clear.
Nagy is down with what looks like a bad injury. We get a penalty but that is scant consolation.
Nagy is looking like a broken leg/ankle and our bloody injury list keeps on growing.
Second half starts with a bang as Nagy crosses in the corner for the Ospreys. 7-8 after just 72 seconds of the second half. O Williams on for the HIA failed Dan Edwards lines up the wide conversion. Not a great connection and the kick goes wide.
7-8 game on.
Half time 7-3. I know there is still a half of rugby to come but we are still in this and but for a bit more composure and experience we could be leading.
Fender does an amazing job and works his way through the Benetton maul to pinch the ball. Ospreys scrum and hopefully we can clear to touch and go in with the score remaining 7-3.
We give away a scrum penalty and Benetton break before L Davies is caught offside and they go to the corner again. Can we hold out just before halftime?
A box kick from L Davies is caught by L Morgan and another Davies box kick finds space in the Benetton 22 where their 10 slices his kick into touch for a big territorial gain for the Ospreys. An attacking line out for the Ospreys leads to O Williams kicking the ball into touch and goal and Benetton go back for the scrum. Their game plan is clear - scrum and maul for penalties until they get to the corner.
A great rip from Owen Williams gives Fender a chance to stretch his legs but Nagy drops the ball cold and the chance to attack goes.
We are playing all of the rugby and have made two clear major line breaks but we lack composure in the final third.
A turnover leads to a Benetton 50:22 but some decent defence keeps them out. A not so great clearing kick from Scully gives their FB a chance but a fine cover tackle from Nagy wins the ball back.
Superb break from Deaves almost leads to a try but a lack of composure from Luke Davies sees the last pass go into touch.
Concern for the Ospreys as Dan Edwards gets walloped in a Fekitoa bullet tackle. Fortunately Edwards is up and seems okay if a little shook up as he goes off for a HIA - Owen Williams on.
Now 7-3 after 17 minutes.
Benetton win a scrum penalty and they go to the corner. Can our maul defence hold out? Yes is the answer but Benetton retain possession and end up under the posts. 5-3 with a simple conversion to come.
Decent start by this young Ospreys side.
A lovely short pass from Dan Edwards puts Morgan Morris through the hole and play ends with an Ospreys penalty.
Edwards slots it and Ospreys lead 0-3 after 13 minutes.
Happy with that side given what is happening the following week. It is a good chance for some of our fringe players to put their hands up for selection for next week's massive game against the same opponent.
Do you mean Lewis Jones at lock?
I think he may use Jac Morgan who has not played a huge amount and it seems certain Owen Williams will play a part. He might also use Kenny and van der Merwe if they are shaping up.