It is finally rugby time again and the Pro 14 is back with local derbies. In the first of these games the Ospreys face the NG Dragons at the Liberty Stadium.
The question is do we go full strength or mix and match? I believe that Rhys Davies is not allowed to play but that the rest of our new players should be good to go.
Personally, I would go for a mix and match team and not go full strength as we cannot afford injuries to our key players so my team selection would look like:-
N Smith, S Otten, N Thomas, W Griffiths, A Beard, D Lydiate, O Cracknell, M Morris
H Morgan, S Myler, L Morgan, T Thomas-Wheeler, O Watkin, M Protheroe, C Evans
with everyone else on the bench. Realistically we have nothing to play for so we use the two games as trial matches for the new season and a chance to run Booth's game plan and Brock James's attack.
Discuss...
I enjoyed the game for what it was but it was clear to see that we were rusty from conceding the first try, weak cover and tackling but there were times in the game that any other side would have worked out our defense but we stood up well to the Dragons who are a much improved side.
The key points for me were the missed opportunities, Rhys Webb and Dan Evans who covered the breaks and could have scored at least three tries if Kieran Williams or others that made the breaks had been more aware. Hopefully as they become more familiar with each other these moments will provide better rewards.
I didn't see the lack lustre performance shown towards the end of the Clarke era even when the sub's came on there was still a good structure if some what panic stricken, I will even forgive the daft decisions to pass the ball out of defense as a more adventurous attitude. Lets not forget there is little depending on these games and in many ways they are just friendly warm up games so the fact that the players are just working out routines and getting to know each other again bodes well for the future. I am keen to see how we play against the Blues away from home, I put our preparations well ahead of theirs at the moment they were dreadful against the Scarlets who had more luck than ability working for their win.