Ospreys V Southern Kings (Saturday Nov 9th at 3pm)

Looking at the squad we've booked into the RCC yesterday, I don't know if we are allowed at this late stage to put in a player unless for serious injuries, I know some are allowed after the group stage, especially front rowers, there are no indications that we are interested in McKenzie officially, the only news has been from Orders last week. If the staff cannot see the need for him or anyone comparable instead of the 2 that had their chances for a few weeks now. God help us

We have in recent seasons never been the most skill full side but we are now plunging into new depths. Making a break is now only connected to bones and sidesteps and offloads are consigned to the bin. Apart from Tips I cannot see any improvement in the skill level only in the physicality when our internationals return.

Interview with Allen Clarke where he says we are going through a dark period. This is on the BBC Sport website but nothing on the Ospreys news page! Brilliant communication yet again.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50378966

Here is the official Match Report on the Ospreys website - https://www.ospreysrugby.com/news/ospreys-v-southern-kings-match-report. Notice, if you will, the total absence of the first missed Hook penalty on about 77 minutes that should have been converted into points allowing us to win the game.

This has to be one of the most distressing days if not the most of supporting the Ospreys since they came to the Liberty for me, the coaching is not very good but the basic passing and kicking from seasoned Internationals was on a number of occasions pathetic, the quality of play from our players in the outside half position was abysmal on occasions. I know we are missing a number of first choice players even some of 2nd and 3rd choices, then again probably our 2 best players on the field today was our 3rd choice 8 and winger Morris and Dirksen.

This downward spiral has to stop and very quickly.

I can appreciate that we don’t have a team of world beaters but but with better coaches we surely should be able to see off the kings at home ?

Hi guys great effort to set things up but more woeful rubbish from a large number of sub standard players. We just are not prepared to have the necessary clean out that is required. The forum was closed to prevent criticism. Nobody is prepared to call out their mates

What a bloody dismal first half showing. What are the players doing in Training because they are not putting it in to practice on the pitch. At least we saw a nice try by the Kings. Here's to a much better second half....

Agree great to see him back also Orie seems to have taken us to heart

The Ospreys team to play Southern Kings at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea on Saturday 9th November K.O 3pm has been named. 

Young Cai Evans maintains his position at fullback with Dirksen on one wing and Lesley Klim, making his first Ospreys start, on the other. Thomas-Wheeler and Scott Williams partner up once more in midfield, while Luke Price picks up a new half-back partnership with Shaun Venter returning from injury at scrum-half. 

Scott Otten starts at hooker with Rhodri Jones and Tom Botha packing down alongside him. An unchanged second row sees Marvin Orie line up alongside Lloyd Ashley, with Dan Lydiate on the blindside as captain next to Olly Cracknell. Young Morgan Morris comes into the starting lineup at number eight. 

Starting XV 15. Cai Evans 14. Hanno Dirksen 13. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler 12. Scott Williams 11. Lesley Klim 10. Luke Price 9. Shaun Venter

1.Rhodri Jones 2.Scott Otten 3. Tom Botha 4.Marvin Orie 5. Lloyd Ashley 6. Dan Lydiate © 7.Olly Cracknell 8. Morgan Morris 

Replacements 16. Sam Parry 17. Gareth Thomas 18. Ma’afu Fia 19. Guido Volpi 20. Sam Cross 21.Matthew Aubrey 22. James Hook 23. Tom Williams

Lesley Klim makes his first Ospreys start. 

The following players were unavailable for selection: Adam Beard, Aled Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies, George North, Nicky Smith, Justin Tipuric and Owen Watkin.

The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury: Gareth Anscombe Harri Morgan Cory Allen   Dan Evans James King Rhys Henry Ben Glynn Luke Morgan Keelan Giles 

Forthcoming Fixtures: Saturday 16th November – 5:30pm – Ospreys v Munster, Liberty Stadium. Saturday 23rd November – 1pm – Saracens v Ospreys, Allianz Park.  Saturday 30th November – 7:35pm – Ospreys v Cheetahs, The Gnoll.

It is really good to see Venter back and I am excited to see what Klim and Morgan Morris can do with their first starts of the season. I am looking forward to this game with slightly more anticipation than I did when we played Connacht.

Unless McKenzie can be brought in and none of the TW players become available, the one change has to be Hook for Price at ten.