Aside of that first 30 minutes or so, a really encouraging start to the season. Loved the sight of our players celebrating at the final whistle…look like a really tight group.
Thought Jac Morgan had a good solid debut. Protheroe always looked a threat and thought TTW did well when he came in too, which was good to see. It’ll be interesting to see how Cardiff approach next week’s game what with them having both 10s likely being unavailable. hope we emerge from today with a clean bill of health for those that were involved today. How do people feel Francis’ debut went?
@ospreysfanforum@ospreysfanforum Agree - I thought Francis was v good in the loose often popping up at first/second receiver and making yards or some nice touches out the back to Anscombe. Judging by his latest interview that's definitely something he's looking to improve over the next few seasons. Scrum wise I recall one pen against him given on the far side from the ref with a call from the AR who was around 80 yards away on the far touchline. Personally think he was hard done by.
Scrum was dominant when Elvis, Botha and the weight of Beard were introduced.
Jac Morgan was absolutely everywhere. I will be very surprised if he doesn't get a call up in the autumn 😓.
Collins is a typical Kiwi, he's just got it.
Anscombe was excellent. Kicking was great off the tee. Some of his kickoffs were a bit messy and just handed the ball over with no chase. His pace brings another dimension to our attack - something we have never really had in the 10 position.
@GWR Yes the new signings gave us composure and purpose. I don't think it was coincidence that TTW and Luke Morgan looked far better players than they have before with top class players around them. However I don't think even signing half the All Blacks back line would assist Dan Evans. His legs are just not there anymore and he plays in a massively exposed position that will not be able to be hidden on fast tracks against good teams. A real asset in his prime but now needs to be seen as a back up particularly for wet and heavy conditions.
In terms of the scrum a lot of the late stage dominance has to be factored against them having to bring on Coleman at tight head.
@Fiddler Think the key point there is that lesser players will rise to play better when there are better players around them. Our trouble has always been when we haven't had the better players around to drag up those lesser players. Hopefully that is changing.
Credit must also go to the coaches for their half time chat because we were a different team in the second half.
@paul.rogers83 Thanks Paul. In his you tube interview Booth said Cuthbert might be available this week but if not next. He also said AWJ won't play until next week and Myler will not be fit this week but should be next. He added Dan Evans has a tweaked hamstring and they will make their final call tomorrow and Kieran Williiams is fit but has been going through HIA protocols due to a knock in training.
In an 18 game season any away win is huge. Second half was very good tbf with a new 10 and 13 making transforming the backs. Let’s hope Cuthbert and Gîles in the mix soon. Thought Griffiths was pick of the for forwards. This could have gone nasty with struggling line out and bonkers penalty count. First time I’ve seen grass at RP for a long time.
Giles won't be over his hamstring until after the first block. I understand we are lining up A team fixtures against Ealing Exeter and Scarlets during the autumn internationals so he will probably appear then. No idea about Cuthbert.
That was not a good first half but a much better second half. Here is the match report from the game - https://www.theospreyliantrust.co.uk/post/urc-dragons-v-ospreys-sept-26-2021
We have big issues at 9. Webb is a shadow of his former self and RMW is just too inconsistent. What’s the latest on Harri? we really need him to breakthrough this season.
@Tommyboy664 9 and 15 stood out as two players whose legs have gone. Webb still has enough nous to get by for part of the game but we desperately need another 9 if Morgan cannot get on the paddock and stay fit. Morgan has serious potential but that will never be realised on the treatment table.
Thoroughly enjoyed that. What a difference a good 10 makes, I thought Anscombe was really really good. In fact, once we brushed away the cobwebs after the first 30 minutes the whole side played really well.
I have a good feeling about the next few seasons, Toby seems to be building something special.
@paul.rogers83 A few too many weak links for me. Dan Evans and Luke Morgan serious defensive liabilities. TTW a strange selection on the bench ahead of some far far better players.
Well TTW did very well today as did Luke Morgan. Cannot say the same for Dan Evans serious weak link. His injury may be a blessing in disguise for next week. Showed some decent composure today. An away win is always a good result.
I think that’s pretty much what I would’ve said @ospreysfanforum One thing though is whether Myler will be available. I know both said he’s been training so hopefully he is but we seem a little undercooked at 10 with Myler and anscombe returning from injuries.
I thought Roots (along with Morgan Morris) was one of our best players last season. Hard hitter, dynamic, does a lot of the nitty-gritty work that goes unnoticed.
A backrow of MM, J.Morgan and Roots is a dynamic backrow IMO, and can certainly match Moriarty, Griffiths and Basham if selected.
I'm more concerned about our lineout. None of our hookers can throw.
@GWR Ifan Phillips is a pretty competent thrower. The others are suspect. On the Roots point Booth has selected him for every match since he arrived and with Lydiate out he is a big step up on Cross and Cracknell neither of who have shown much to suggest they are capable enough at top level.
If dragons are fully loaded then I think we could struggle. Agree that a lot will rest on anscombe and I think the dragons back row, which is immensely strong will target him. Just hope we can get parity with our collisions…looking forward to seeing where Collins will feature. Also is Cuthbert injured? I didn’t see him in any of the friendliest.
It would be nice to have an injury update before the season starts to see the situation with Cuthbert and where we are at fly-half.
Is Keiran Williams fit? If so, I would be tempted to play Collins at 15 instead of degenerate Dan. But we then have two out and out 12s with Owen and Keiran. IMO both struggle at 13.
If we want to progress to the style of play we aspire to then we need to move away from Dan and give others a run of games in the 15 shirt whether it be Nagy, Collins or Protheroe.
The return of North and a fit Cuthbert would naturally push Protheroe back to 15 I'd imagine...leaving us will Collins at 13. Having watched a lot of Super Rugby over the past few years I think 13 is Collins' best position.
@GWR The bozos in the press conference rarely ask worthwhile questions such as is Collins going to be your 13 or 15. I was told he spent the entire pre season at 13 in training. Another useful question might have been why no Giles Cuthbert Harri Morgan or Hickey in the pre season. Although in fairness to Orders he did ask a couple of good questions in the last press conference
What do we think the chances are for GA to start? With Myler and Josh Thomas not featuring in pre-season and Hawkins not looking comfortable at 10, I think fly-half is a bit of a problem for us before we've even played a competitive minute this season.
Do we have any injury updates for Myler and Thomas?
Hopefully GA is on track to start and lead us into the new season, fingers crossed.
A reflective view of the match - https://www.theospreyliantrust.co.uk/post/monday-morning-quarterback-view-23
Aside of that first 30 minutes or so, a really encouraging start to the season. Loved the sight of our players celebrating at the final whistle…look like a really tight group.
Thought Jac Morgan had a good solid debut. Protheroe always looked a threat and thought TTW did well when he came in too, which was good to see. It’ll be interesting to see how Cardiff approach next week’s game what with them having both 10s likely being unavailable. hope we emerge from today with a clean bill of health for those that were involved today. How do people feel Francis’ debut went?
Was also impressed with Griffiths, went about his work, doubling up in tackles and winning lineout ball, very good performance overall.
Giles and Harri Morgan are not out training with the squad from what I’ve witnessed.
or as Tandy would say “ their not in and around the group” 😃
In an 18 game season any away win is huge. Second half was very good tbf with a new 10 and 13 making transforming the backs. Let’s hope Cuthbert and Gîles in the mix soon. Thought Griffiths was pick of the for forwards. This could have gone nasty with struggling line out and bonkers penalty count. First time I’ve seen grass at RP for a long time.
That was not a good first half but a much better second half. Here is the match report from the game - https://www.theospreyliantrust.co.uk/post/urc-dragons-v-ospreys-sept-26-2021
I was convinced we’d lose so I’m relieved but the defence, the passing, the discipline and how refs perceive our scrum were all worrying.
We have big issues at 9. Webb is a shadow of his former self and RMW is just too inconsistent. What’s the latest on Harri? we really need him to breakthrough this season.
Thoroughly enjoyed that. What a difference a good 10 makes, I thought Anscombe was really really good. In fact, once we brushed away the cobwebs after the first 30 minutes the whole side played really well.
I have a good feeling about the next few seasons, Toby seems to be building something special.
Well done all concerned 👏
Awful first half but great fight back from the team. Collins looked awesome.
Game day - let's go!!!
Here is the squad..
I think that’s pretty much what I would’ve said @ospreysfanforum One thing though is whether Myler will be available. I know both said he’s been training so hopefully he is but we seem a little undercooked at 10 with Myler and anscombe returning from injuries.
So with a team naming likely either today or tomorrow, what team do we expect will take to Dave Parade on Sunday afternoon?
I expect a squad of...
N Smith R Jones S Parry E Taione T Francis T Botha R Davies J Regan BBBD J Morgan M Morris W Griffiths E Roots
R Webb R Morgan-Williams G Anscombe S Myler L Morgan O Watkin M Collins J Hawkins M Protheroe D Evans
Our back row will need to match theirs for power.
Ethan Root needs to show a lot more than he has to date, if selected
If dragons are fully loaded then I think we could struggle. Agree that a lot will rest on anscombe and I think the dragons back row, which is immensely strong will target him. Just hope we can get parity with our collisions…looking forward to seeing where Collins will feature. Also is Cuthbert injured? I didn’t see him in any of the friendliest.
Looking forward to Sunday!
What do we think the chances are for GA to start? With Myler and Josh Thomas not featuring in pre-season and Hawkins not looking comfortable at 10, I think fly-half is a bit of a problem for us before we've even played a competitive minute this season.
Do we have any injury updates for Myler and Thomas?
Hopefully GA is on track to start and lead us into the new season, fingers crossed.
Thanks @Rob
Yes, it is.
It's also being shown on S4C at 10pm Sunday.