The Ospreys travel to Ireland to face the best team in the Pro14, Leinster, in their final game of the Pro14 season. Bereft of their international players with Team Wales and with a huge injury list, this game will surely be a case of last man standing. European qualification will probably be decided by results elsewhere but Leinster will have one eye on the Pro14 Final the following week so there is a very slight chance of sneaking a point or two. Coach Booth will be hoping that Nicky Smith gets released back to us and some of the injured players return.
The team will look something like this:-
G Phillips
Sam Parry
M Fia
L Ashley
R Davies
W Griffiths
M Morris
G Evans
R Morgan-Williams
L Price
K Giles
Kieran Williams
O Watkin
D Cross
D Evans
Reps
I Phillips R Henry T Botha O Cracknell S Cross S Venter J Thomas T Thomas-Wheeler/J Hawkins
The ref informed both sides that the clock was wrong and it would restart at the correct time.
Did anybody else notice when the substitute was yellow carded, the time had been stopped but it wasn't turned back on until the lineout was about to be thrown in, way after it should have been switched on, before the penalty was about to be taken?
He was but then he was subbed and he came back on later in the game for Cross.
I thought cai was on from the start?
Thought it would be something like that.
Just re-watched the 2nd half; Cai Evans came on to replace Dewi Cross. did Cross suffer a HIA?
I thought that Reuben Morgan-Williams had a good game. He was quick to the breakdown and kept good tempo in the game And kept the defence guessing. Box kicking probably needs improvement but this will come. All in all a good gutsy performance by all 23. Nobody can accuse them of not trying. Huge credit has to go to Booth and all the coaching staff. Duncan Joes doing a great job with our front row who looked strong throughout. Irish commentators are so biased its unbelievable.
Genuinely can’t believe that. Incredible.
The bench was used perfectly and they made an impression when they came on And Morgan moved to no8. For any team to get a result there is a tough ask. Credit where to due. Well done all!
I've not posted on here for a while although I have read the posts from time to time. I was so keen to read and comment on such a rare win that I thought I would join in on this forum. But, I after reading the start to this thread I was reminded of what put me off in the past it the endless negativity and constant criticism of the same players and their lack of quality or talent.
The comments might be justified but in the end they are doing their best and willing to put their bodies on the line for the cause; plus there's nothing to gain from repeating or reading the same words over and over again.
It was good to read some praise of the team for a change and they were well worth reading as praise was given as they were all heroes, even the Lloyd Ashley's, Cracknell's and Dan Evans's because without them the rest of the team would not have been in a position to score the tries.
Surely if this forum is to grow it will require the Ospreys to be more successful but at the same time it will need poster's to offer some balance and acceptance of where we are and the effort it is taking to improve even by the weakest member of the squad. In the end for all the criticism given of them Booth still picks them and he's getting results using them plus he must recognise their obvious weaknesses as well but clearly he's playing on their strengths more than any previous coach that went before him.
So so so proud of the ospreys!!!!!
Ymlaen y gweilch...dw i’n balch heno!
Never quite ever seen a game like it. For 68 minutes we looked no threat to them at all and then in eight minutes of mayhem we scored 21 unanswered points and defended the final four with our lives.
Still it is certain european qualification and given how thin that squad is that is a superb achievement. If Dewi Lake gets his throwing right he will be on for 100 caps
Match report - https://www.ospreyssupporterstrust.co.uk/post/leinster-v-ospreys
Fantastic last 20mins well deserved win. Boothe has made such a difference it’s incredible. Ymlaen y Gweilch.
Absolutely brilliant. My only criticism is the no look and soft passing from the front row.
Shows the guts and determination that’s been instilled by Toby Booth has shone through.
yes we desperately need to off load and strengthen but that was a hell of a comeback led by Morgan Morris
YEEEEESSS!
Fantastic!
What a final 20 from the Ospreys. Great impact off the bench and it is not very often you can say that. Fantastic!!!!!!
Good on you guys.
EUROPE???? Why not?
COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Morgan Morris one hell of s player
Better again eh @Tommyboy664 ?
That's better
Why didn't Leinster get a yellow for their many penalties? The Ospreys did in the first half!
The commentary on the Leinster foul play, laughable.
Our kicking at half back is atrocious it’s crucifying us
We lack the strength and physicality in so many players at this end of our squad.
Devin Toner clearly changed his bind right in front of the 'ref'
Oh Cai
Once Luke Price and Dan Evans get involved in kicking duals they crucify us
Why wasn't the try awarded on 4-5 minutes? Clearly off the Os player knee...
Oh Cai
Did that ball go to touch? For me Cross scored.
Ah well, here goes nothing
👍
Ok, got it. Premier Sports 2.
Is the match on TV at all, I can't find it?
That back 3 😢
15. Dan Evans ©
14. Dewi Cross
13. Owen Watkin
12. Keiran Williams
11. Cai Evans
10. Luke Price
9. Reuben Morgan-Williams
1.Rhys Henry
2. Sam Parry
3. Ma’afu Fia
4. Lloyd Ashley
5. Rhys Davies
6. Will Griffiths
7. Morgan Morris
8. Gareth Evans
16. Dewi Lake
17. Garyn Phillips
18. Tom Botha
19. Olly Cracknell
20. Sam Cross
21. Shaun Venter
22. Josh Thomas
23. Joe Hawkins
Toby Booth, Ospreys Head coach, said:
“Leinster have a final to look forward to and various bits and pieces, they are much further down the track in their progression and they are the benchmark for people to measure themselves against.
“It’s another opportunity for the Ospreys to move forward, as a group and to see how much we can transfer on a weekly basis. The one thing I would celebrate around this group of players is that they learn the lessons pretty quickly.
“That is a sign of a team which has potential and we need to keep pushing that potential into performance and wins. We talk about having pride in our performance, so when we look back at it, we have pride in what we do.”
With Will Hickey signed, he could be available to face his old team on Friday.
I don't think there is much more we can do other than go out and try and draw them into a bit of a free for all and try and bag four tries even if they score eight, Unless the Dargons can defeat Glasgow it is hard to see us ending up ahead of Glasgow and the team that finishes fourth in the other conference. Our fate will be decided by the Dargons and with that in mind i would rather see academy boys get an outing than watch anymore of TTW Ashley Cross or Cracknell. To my eyes they are not pro standard so put some other players in who might ending up being that standard and put some miles on their clock