With the URC on a break, attention now turns back to the HCC and the visit of French aristocrats Racing92, a team packed with top players. As we all know when we should have played them in Paris, we forfeited the game and a 28-0 was awarded to Racing92. I think we will do very well to get within that score on the weekend but French teams have been known not to travel well and while it will be a nice day on Saturday, it will certainly be colder than what the French are used to (clutching at straws here).
I expect the 23 to be as follows, Covid19 and injuries notwithstanding...
N Smith G Thomas S Parry E Taione T Francis T Botha A Beard R Davies BBBD J Morgan W Griffiths M Morris E Roots
R Webb RMW G Anscombe J Thomas L Morgan M Collins O Watkin K Williams A Cuthbert/K Giles M Protheroe
Discuss...
It’s very hard to see reasons to be optimistic at the moment. You can basically predict which players will let the side down.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion here and they have a right to express that opinion. Much of the hand-wringing is because we lost and people do need to vent.
Please do not let this thread slip into personal attacks.
Probably watch them both. Prefer rugby but, and I am assuming that, “Wendyball” means football( whilst we are on the subject of respect) , I also enjoy that. Tennis is ok as well, athletics….oh you know, I could go on, I suppose I just enjoy sport. Rugby is tops though.
You have a nice day you!
I have been a “member” since this forum was set up , the old forum suffered from a number of fools who did not provide useful debate/comment ,
Sadly a few posters seem to be venting their disappointment in a manner true knowledgeable fans would not
Sadly we are not in the financial era when dubbed the galactics , but in truth only a few like Marshall were on a large salary
Our present Galatics AWJ,Tips,North etc are funded by WRU and are not often available
Given our track record on Coaches I believe we are in a far healthier position , Booth is head and shoulders above previous , with the possible exception of Scott The culture of growing coaches introduced by the little physio , who is now creating mayhem in the Southern Hemisphere, was ill conceived and a failure . qRuddock and Booth need time to get the correct coaches in place and to create a team culture such as Exeter did with ”nobodys”
Rome etc etc , but silly posts do not encourage use of FANS forum very very sad
i say to them if you are so so sad do yourself a favour for your health , go watch Wendyball
Lost the game on our lineouts, they were mediocre and embarrassing for a ERC side.
Once again our lineout is a shambles, very little variation and we try the most difficult calls when we are struggling. We don't compete and allow them free ball, with a player the size of Beard put him at the front on opposition ball and make their hooker throw over him, shorten the line don't just continue and hope for the best
A big fan of Lake but if he can't throw in then he is a waste of time as a hooker and needs to find another position possibly revert to a backrow player.
Two tries came directly from his abject lineout throws.
Effort there but it’s the same old story with this squad. We’re not a competitive side and arent making meaningful progress.
Our new defence coach has been with the team and it has shown. Cannot fault the effort of the lads.
Racing are searching for the try BP and win two penalties but each time the replacement 9 kicks the ball dead.
The Ospreys empty the bench.
Try Racing as the Ospreys efforts start to take their toll 10-25
Penalty Racing puts them 10-18 ahead with 13 left to play
Another lineout failure...Lake's darts are off but the lifts are not that great either. Here come the replacement front row and the yellow card is done.
Another missed lineout ball costs the Ospreys dearly as Racing score their second try...10-15 after 58 minutes. Not sure we deserve that.
Cross on for Roots who has been rather good and Collins on for the excellent K Williams
Brilliant turnover from Jac Morgan again
Yellow card for Will Griffiths.
No need for the quick tap there
Half time 10-8 Ospreys.