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.