So with the ink barely dry on the match report from the disappointing home loss v Sale Sharks on Saturday, attention now turns to the Ospreys' trip to Paris to face French mega-team Racing92. The French aristocrats have already put the Northampton Saints to the sword in Round 1, so this fixture is going to be particularly challenging for the Ospreys.
One thing of note is our 23 when we played Racing92 in December 2019 compared to the 23 we will likely put out this week -
2019
1 N Smith - (Still here 1st choice)
2 S Otten - (Sadly retired)
3 M Fia - (3rd choice)
4 BBBD - (4th choice)
5 A Beard - (1st choice & B&I Lion)
6 D Lydiate - (Injured)
7 Tips (captain) (Yea!) - (Injured)
8 M Morris - (1st choice)
9 S Venter - (left)
10 M McKenzie - (who? Left)
11 L Morgan - (Still here)
12 S or K Williams - (Scott left, Kieran injured)
13 O Watkin - (Still here - possible 1st choice)
14 H Dirksen - (Left)
15 D Evans - (Still here 5th choice)
Reps
16 G Thomas (Still here), 17 I Phillips (Sadly retired), 18, G Gaihjon (Left) 19, L Ashley (7th choice) or M Orie (left) 20, O Cracknell (left)
21, A Davies, (left) 22 L Price, (left) 23 T Thomas-Wheeler (still here - 5th choice)
2021
N Smith G Thomas S Parry E Taione T Francis T Botha A Beard R Davies J Regan W Griffths J Morgan(?) M Morris E Roots
R Webb RMW J Thomas S Myler (G Anscombe) A Cuthbert (K Giles) L Morgan O Watkin M Collins M Protheroe TTW
So we have had 2 hookers really sadly retire, 3 of the 2019 23 are injured, 9 players have left and we have improved our depth in certain areas but there is still work to be done. Our first half must be better or we will likely face the wrong end of a cricket score,
According to Wales Online, the likes of Giles, Kieran Williams and Lake were in the squad for this game so we may see them involved in the Christmas derbies if they go ahead.
It’s supposed to be the flagship tournament…it’s a joke! We should be able to have it rearranged like the others. It’s been devalued in my opinion.
Week off to get ready for Boxing Day isnt the worst thing,
Any idea of the side that trained?
Following on from the above point, our fastest starting XV would probably be -
Smith Parry Francis Beard R Davies J Morgan (S Cross) W Griffiths M Morris
H Morgan J Thomas K Giles O Watkin M Collins A Cuthbert M Protheroe
Someone has posed the question on Twitter about us putting out our fastest possible team and going for the 4 tries BP. It is an interesting point and one we should discuss...
If we look at the squad just before Booth's arrival I can think of the following departures for various reason. Ifan Otten and King all retired due to injury. Ghaajon Klim Volpi and Nedaze (excuse spellings) along with Venter departed from our nwq contingent. Gareth Evans, Cracknell Price Scott Williams Dirksen were experienced players not resigned. Assuming I have not missed anybody That is 13 players out of a squad of around 50 not counting academy players and academy releases. That means he has churned around a quarter of the squad. I cannot see that level of churn this year. I suspect Fia is out of contract and likely to go. I think both Bradley and Myler would be interested in player coaching roles if offered
I think this is mission impossible, but it’ll be a great experience for the team and hopefully will make them battle hardened for the Xmas derbies. I really hope that protheroe plays though…in Every game when he’s fit.