With two rounds of the Challenge Cup cancelled, the Ospreys will now return their focus to the Pro 14 and a re-arranged fixture against Connacht at the Sportsground, a week this Sunday. January 24th. This is one of the final few games that we need to win to secure that all important 3rd place so I would expect a strong 23 for the game.
I think it could look something like this....
N Smith I Phillips M Fia A Beard R Davies W Griffiths J Tipuric M Morris
R Webb S Myler L Morgan O Watkin K Williams G North M Protheroe
Reps
R Jones S Parry T Botha D Lydiate G Evans R Morgan-Williams J Hawkins D Evans
Discuss
The alternative view of the game....
https://www.ospreyssupporterstrust.co.uk/post/monday-morning-quarterback-view-10
Stephen Myler is fast becoming one of my favourite Ospreys, loved that delayed pass for the first try, and I have to say such safe hands. Anscombe may not get things his own way.
Match report from the game
https://www.ospreyssupporterstrust.co.uk/post/connacht-v-ospreys-sun-jan-24th-at-3pm
Thought we had thrown it away but, channelling the spirit we showed versus Worcester, we worked out.
Eight wins from 13 after 2 wins from 20.
The grown ups are in charge and are dismantling the Tandy debacle.
Great team performance with a fair few standout performances by individuals too. I’ve got to agree about Rhys Davies too, normally when without AWJ we struggle, but Davies and Beard have been great. Thought Rhys Davies was superb today. Ymlaen yr Gweilch!!!!!!
5 points in Ireland!!! 🤩
Rhys Davies impressive again. And ifan Philips
Extend Booth now.
This is the best we have played in years it’s enjoyable to watch and we can play and win in different ways . Boothe has made one hell of a difference. Ymlaen y Gweilch.
Great win. Some really good attacking rugby against a strong Connacht side. We are improving every game and it’s good to see us moving on from our static style of play to a more fluid attack minded game plan.
3rd try from Webb, and we've back in the lead.
I love the guts in this team.
No Jack Carty at 10 in the Home team. He was pushing for Irish selection. Bundee Aki back on the bench though.
Another very close shout with my team selection....😁
Ospreys team selection....
All Irish officials in Galway:(
frank Murphy is the ref
It is going to be a tough game for sure. We have to ensure there is impact from the bench. Morris and Kieran Williams could provide this in the final 20/30 minutes. I might be tempted to use Parry from the bench as well as he will add power to the scrum and maul which may be more effective later in the game. It would be a real bonus if AWJ could bench. You certainly don't want Luke Morgan in the back three over there if there if you have the option of Dan Evans North and Protheroe in the back three with Giles on the bench
Whoever we put out I think it will be a massive challenge as Connacht have become a top outfit.
Evans, North, Watkin, Hawkins, Protheroe, Myler, Webb; Smith, Parry, Fia, Beard, Davies, Griffiths, Lydiate, Tipuric
Thomas, Phillips, Botha, Peers, Morris, RMW, Keiran Bach, Giles
Thinking is to have a big kicking game at 9, 10 and 15 - have a big defensive back row and look to come home with a fresh Keiran and Morgan Morris coming on for hard carries, and Botha and Thomas to be aggressive at the scrum.
I think it’s great that we’ve got 3 LH all playing really well, hookers all doing great and Fia playing so well too. The side looks really good with a strong bench. The wind and weather always play such a huge part at the sports ground so fingers crossed we control the game like we did at Murrayfield. It would be a huge win if we turned them over out there, certainly bearing in mind they must be flying high after beating Leinster in Dublin.