So with the Pro14 taking a break and the Autumn Nations Cup finished, attention now turns to Europe and the Challenge Cup. I would be very surprised if any of the international boys featured in this game as I think we should save them for Boxing Day against the Scarlets.
I think we will see a similar team to those that have featured in the recent Pro14 games so it would look something like:-
R Jones D Lake M Fia R Davies A Beard W Griffiths D Lydiate O Cracknell
R Morgan Williams S Myler L Morgan K Williams T Thomas-Wheeler H Dirksen M Protheroe
Subs TBC
Discuss.
Credit must also go to Adam Beard. I felt he made a big difference when he came on. He disrupted the driving maul from lineouts and he probably added a fair amount of grunt to the scrums. I can see why he has fallen out of favour with Pivac as he's not the moderns day 2nd row who is able to rampage around the field. However, play him alongside a mobile 2nd row and I think they would really compliment each other.
I think we're already seeing the minutes that the youngsters have played starting to pay off. The decision making alone seems better, even if the execution isn't there every time. Will Griffiths and Morgan Morris are bright prospects and seem to get themselves involved in everything and I thought Adam Beard had the bit between his teeth as soon as he came on. I'd love to see that kind of menace in his play more often because he's got the attributes to be top class. Protheroe belies his size and even stopped a few attackers on the gain line in defence which is great to see. A back three of an in-form North, Protheroe and Giles would challenge anyone. For me, the main concern was gain line losses when Castres went through the middle during the second half. Teams like Munster and Leinster were able to suck us in there and take advantage of the space elsewhere and I'm sure plenty of other teams would do the same. Fortunately though, our soft middle 40minutes we've been having a lot this season reduced to a softish 25 minutes I thought.
We needed a spark to ignite our back line and Protheroe seems to be that spark. He will be our first choice fullback soon with the dependable Evans filling in. Protheroe s willingness to run with the ball provides more attacking options than aerial ping pong. Our crop of young forwards are now providing the zeal and enthusiasm that has been lacking from our play and hopefully it will continue. It’s early days yet but if that is going to be the style of play ahead it could lead to exciting times.
I’ve not been a fan of Venter but to be fair the speed if ball has gone up when he’s playing. If some of the tries we scored last night are an indication of the type of adventurous game we want to have in our locker, then I think there are things to be really excited about under booth. The venter and Dan evans tries were superb team efforts.
We had a lot more Quicker ball from the 2cd phase with Venter at 9
Will Griffiths is playing really well at 6 hadn’t really seen him play before this season. Well done Toby Booth for converting him from the 2nd to the back row seems to be paying off.
Match report from the game tonight - https://www.ospreyssupporterstrust.co.uk/post/ospreys-v-castres-challenge-cup
I thought we were aggressive and our handling skills in the most part were really good, despite the poor pitch. Seemed to kick poorly for a bit which let them back in, but when we had the ball we looked dangerous. I was expecting us to struggle at set piece but we were in control there for most of the night. Great to watch.
Prothero looking good again.
Great effort ospreys!!!!
Well done Ospreys.
Great effort from 1-23.
Great half!!!
Come on!!!
No Tips for the game tonight, Morgan Morris starts in his place and Cracknell comes on to the bench.
What's wrong with Dewi Lake? Not the best hooker but an outstanding rugby player, I'd at least have him on the bench...I hope he's being managed well or we'll lose him.
I’d heard that Watkin was injured too.
French teams aren’t usually light up front, so I would rather have seen us start with Beard for his bulk personally.
yes could be interesting in the back 3 when all are fit..........
Really can't understand why Ashley is starting and Beard is on the bench???
And dare I speak heresy and say I'm not sure I'm glad Dan Evans is back. From previous games his pace seems to have deserted him, and Protheroe/Morgan seem to have developed a good realtionship
Good team, got most of it correct but really did not expect the likes of Tips & Parry to be involved from the start. Happy to see Venter start and I love the back 3 - should be very exciting.