With the Pro14 seemingly finished and Europe done for us for another season, the Ospreys will now turn their attention to the Rainbow Cup. Wales Online states that, whilst there is doubt about the SA teams playing over here due to Covid-19 restrictions, the current planned local derbies will still go ahead. With these the only likely meaningful fixtures before the B&I Lions Tour to SA, the question has to be asked if we go all out or treat the Cup as a development tool and use it to blood the next crop of Academy youngsters. We may even mix and match.
My 23 for the Cardiff Fixture would look something like this:-
N Smith G Phillips, S Parry, T Gleave, T Botha, R Henry, R Davies, A Beard, J Fender, E Roots, J Tipuric, M Morris, G Evans.
R Morgan-Williams, H Morgan, S Myler*, J Thomas, G North, K Giles, M Protheroe, O Watkin, K Williams, J Hawkins.
*Obviously, Anscombe would be involved if fit to have a chance to get much needed match practice.
Discuss.
The alternative view of the match...
https://www.ospreyssupporterstrust.co.uk/post/monday-morning-quarterback-view-17
Match report - https://www.ospreyssupporterstrust.co.uk/post/rainbow-cup-ospreys-v-cardiff-rugby
Apart from two dreadful clear outs, Roots was exactly what we need. He can play 8 too - I hope they make him permanent as he’s built to be an enforcing northern hemisphere backrow.
Aubrey is a good sub who can play at a high tempo in bursts. He’s not a starter but he’s fine to sit on the bench.
RMW actually looked terrible in the finishing role - ponderous, loads of mistakes and too many turnovers.
Something’s bugging me about Josh Thomas and I think it‘s down to his arm length. For a little guy, he’s got these really long arms which mean there’s more to go wrong with his short passing. Sometimes it’s all over the shop.
Although we had a stronger side on paper out there I thought our intention was exciting. Great to see youngsters having been given their chances and already looking forward to next season. Thought halfbacks did well and great to see real pace in josh Thomas who I’m sure will continue to develop at this level.
Happy with that win and the performance. We did well to score those tries and I thought that Roots had a good all around game.
On paper our 23 looks a lot stronger than theirs but we cannot take anything for granted.
Cardiff line up
Gill Myhill Assiratti Murphy Thornton Lawrence Bradley Ratti
Jones Tovey Amos Llewellyn Lane Harries Thomas
Reps
Belcher Carre Davies-King Williams Robinson Bevan Fish Feyi-Waboso
Actual line up....
N Smith, I Phillips, T Botha, A Beard, R Davies, E Root, J Tipuric, M Morris
M Aubrey, J Thomas, M Protheroe, K Williams, O Watkin, G North, D Evans
Reps
S Parry, J Lay, R Henry, B Davies, S Cross, R Morgan-Williams, J Hawkins, C Evans
Happy to go with that line up.
Team I’d like to see:
Josh Thomas, Giles, Watkin, Williams, Protheroe, Anscombe, Morgan;
Phillips, Phillips, Henry, Griffiths, Davies, Roots, Hickey, Morris
Lay, Parry, Botha, Fender, Strong, RMW, Price, Hawkins
Update the original post to delete Lake & Otten and add in Parry and our new loan player Todd Gleave.
There are also some new rules for the Rainbow Cup as shown here - Radical new laws come in for Rainbow Cup including red card replacements and a captain's challenge (msn.com)
The game has been confirmed as going ahead.
Impossible to predict how he will balance all the needs into selection. I am surprised there is no Roots in your selection as litle point bringing him over to sit in the stands. I think Lake has injury issues and Anscombe won't be risked too early and when he plays I imagine it will be short spells from the bench.
OFF, a normally reliable South African poster on a different website, has said that the SA franchises have been withdrawn from the Rainbow Cup without giving sources. This is liable to be a big financial hit to the other teams in this competition if true