So after a brilliant display against Sale in the Round of 16, the Ospreys are rewarded for their efforts with an away trip, and a return to his old club for CEO Lance Bradley, to Kingsholm and Gloucester in the Challenge Cup Quarter Finals. I don't recall any serious knocks for any of our players, Sam Parry apart, so I think that the 23 man will largely be the same as the one for Sale. Gloucester beat Castres in their Round of 16 fixture so if we win and other results go our way, we could have a home tie in the semi-final.
Gloucester will benefit from their extra rest day having played the night before us but they do have a massive fixture against Saracens the week after that may skew their selections for this match but they will still be able to put out a strong side. Gloucester are a place below Sale in the Premiership and look unlikely to make up any places so this competition represents their best chance of a successful season.
Squad
G Thomas N Smith S Parry/L Lloyd C Moore T Botha R Henry A Beard J Ratti H Sutton H Deaves J Tipuric M Morris M Morse
RMW L Davies O Williams D Edwards K Giles O Watkin K Williams L Morgan J Walsh M Nagy
Me and my sons were also there in Kingsholm.
Excellent atmosphere in a proper rugby city.
We were in the shed along with a lot of supporters along with Roger Blythe - probably on a scouting mission!
We were disappointing and never fired a shot in the second half, I agree to have any success we must have at least have a 70% kicker.
Layout of the ground was interesting and take Fiddler's point about parking and walk to the ground, it wasn't really an issue for a OAP but the weather was superb and it rains more in Swansea.
Apart from the match it was a pleasant experience and if Lance can carry over some of the ideas to our new ground then we will be ok. Having seen what can be done imo the only viable option can be the renovation of St Helens and usage of the Rec.
Just my thoughts having got back.
Atmosphere and away support top drawer. Kingshom is a great venue. People accept you walk 20/30 minutes from where you park rather than think they must have a spot next to the ground. You cannot compare the tiny footprint at Bridgend with the Kingsholm site.
Performance wise unforced errors and penalties really hurt us in the first half. The referee was a bit of a cowardly homer who refereed the scrum differently for both sides. But that said Glaws carried more powerfully and were bettter at the breakdown. Varney kicked superbly from the base in terms of length and hang time and they chased well. We kicked far less well and our chase was nowhere near as intense as theirs. Owen williams really looks suspect with any place kick to the right of the posts. In these knockout games you cannot miss straightforward kicks and his place kicking has been ropey for some time now.
Unlucky Ospreys
We have not played badly but they have just had the edge tonight.
A game too far I think.
Glos do not play a lot of rugby but we have made silly errors/poor discipline and that has cost us thus far.
6 minutes left, 10 points behind.
Need a huge last 15 minutes.
Too much back chat has gotten us on the wrong side of this ref.
Cracking try from Giles.
We could win this if we can produce more of the same in the second half.
Massive 40 minutes up and coming.
GAME DAY - LET'S GO OSPREYS!!!!!
This could very well come down to the strength of the respective benches.
We have gone with the same squad as we announced last week.
Bore da. da iawn am guro Sale ! We are looking forward to seeing as many of you at Kingsholm as possible . Congratulations on beating Sale. It was fantastic to see such a great atmosphere at The Brewery Field . It's a proper rugby ground and full of rugby history. Tickets are on sale from 10 am today https://www.eticketing.co.uk/gloucesterrugby/. We look forward to seeing you Friday evening and safe journey to everyone travelling over. Cael diwrnod da!Just thinking ahead. Swansea home May4th semi final weekend 😏
Sale have won twice as many Premiership games as Gloster this season so confidence among the squad should be high. Sarries have been vehement about their desire to make the play-offs which isn't going us any favours.
From what Toby said post-match there won't be any senior players returning from injury so let's hope Chris Moore trains well and Max Nagy is closer to a start.
For us to get a home semi we need obviously to win at Kingsholm and then for Connacht to beat Pau away today and then Benetton away next week. If Pau win today then we cannot be at home.