WOL reporting that Owen Watkin may turn out for us against Ulster to test his fitness. Also Mckenzie has returned to NZ for compassionate reasons (Ospreys news page).
That was some kick from Luke Price to put us back in the lead and I am chuffed for the players that they managed to keep the lead until the end for a much deserved win.
I can only echo all of the plaudits previously given to the players who put in a terrific collective performance to win a game pretty much everyone thought would be another loss.
I don't know of anyone watched Scrum V tonight, but there is footage of the team after the game celebrating as if they had won the Champions Cup. Nice change tonight with Catrin Heledd and Nicky Robinson chatting in from fo an "open fire" interspaced with interviews and highlights of the weekends games. Nice change from usual format.
Ulster score their third try as we get pulled from pillar to post and we get caught too narrow again - hmmm I have heard and typed that before....23-24 with 10 minutes left to watch.
Wow, a second try from a driving maul. Nice to see some more patience to resist the counter drive and reset the maul and great work from Otten to finish it off. 23-10 on 49 minutes. I don't know what happens in the next 30 or so minutes but I do know the score so I will comment as the game wears on.
Something I noticed in the first half was the Ulster forwards running onto the ball and hitting contact at pace which tended to result in a dominant collision for them.
I thought we butchered a potential try after that Keiran Williams run as Luke Morgan went on an inside run instead of staying on the outside around the 27 minute mark. Fortunately it did not cost us the game for once. 29 minutes on the clock and we lead 18-7.
A good driving maul (something we have lacked for ages) leads to our second try. You have to applaud the pack for that effort and, in particular, Otten for persevering with the drive and Aled for not pulling the ball out.
Re the back three point being talked about, it has been noticeable for some time now that we defend awfully narrowly and it is all to easy for teams to get wide on us. I wonder if that is a coaching thing or a positional thing or a combination of both?
Finally found time to sit and start watching the game - a bright start and a reward with the opening 3 points.
Their first try comes from Gardiner and A Davies not being able to tackle McCloskey (no mean feat in itself) and he puts Baloucoune in for a simple try.
Our first try comes from some good work from the pack and a lovely pass across the defence on to a good line from Watkin. More to come as I watch more.
The first Ulster try was down to Gardner and Aled who both missed out on tackling Baloucoune for the wing to score. Agree regarding Cai; maybe try him at ten when Dan Evans is back.
Agree on the back three point. It has cost us dearly this season. We are incredibly light there as a squad. Unless we recruit Allen and Giles are probably our first choice. Neither has a body that seems capable of lasting for more than half a season.
Best performance of the season. Everyone was committed and wanted to get a result. Thought Lydiat, Kieron Williams were superb. Best performance of the season by Aled Davies & Cracknel
Can\t argue with that. Ulster are obviously well coached and put us under a lot of pressure which we did well to contend with for much of the time. Defence was good considering there is no specialist coach and our driving maul was really effective. To be fair to Luke Price despite his limitations he nailed that deciding penalty. Leinster next!
@Nidum I agree. I should also have mentioned Price. We are quick enough to criticise when players do perform but slow to praise when they play well or improved on previous performances
@Nidum Correct the effort is there. I thought Otten and Evans added a bit of explosion to the pack. Lydiate was outstanding and our driving maul very good. Aled Davies played well. Price deserves all the credit in the world for that kick but his general game is terrible.
The reality is that league tables don't lie and a lot of people on and off the field have to leave in the off season if this is to be turned round and not left to a lingering death.
What a performance tonight! Well done our lads. Yes there were errors and some nerves but there was an aggression and cohesion that I’ve not seen all season. ardderchog!!!
The Guinness PRO14 rolls on this weekend following a six-week hiatus, and there's an exciting team named to take on Ulster in round 11 of the Guinness PRO14 at the Liberty Stadium this Saturday.
The back three trio of Cai Evans, Hanno Dirksen, and Luke Morgan are reunited once more since their last outing in the Heineken Cup against Munster back in January. Evans recently renewed his contract with the Ospreys, extending his stay at the region, while Dirksen will be celebrating his 150th appearance in an Ospreys jersey.
Welsh international centre Owen Watkin has recovered from his knee injury to give both Ospreys and Wales a timely boost in the midfield. The young centre will celebrate his 50th cap for the region partnered with Kieran Williams, another who has been plagued with injuries this season. However, there's no lack of pace or power in the midfield with these two youngsters back in the mix.
Aled Davies starts at scrumhalf and will be looking to provide clean service for his outside half, Luke Price, the fly half having started all but two games in the Guinness PRO14 so far this season.
In the pack, props Nicky Smith and Simon Gardiner pack down at loosehead and tighthead respectively, with Scott Otten is given the nod at hooker.
Adam Beard, released by Wales for this weekend, returns seamlessly back into the fold and partners up with fellow international lock Bradley Davies to form a heavyweight second row.
Veteran flanker Dan Lydiate will lead the side from the blindside, while Olly Cracknell packs down on the openside. Gareth Evans makes a welcome return to the side and will pack down at number eight.
Starting XV15. Cai Evans14. Hanno Dirksen13. Owen Watkin12. Kieran Williams11. Luke Morgan10. Luke Price9. Aled Davies
I wonder if Dewi Lake will be selected for Saturday, it is perfectly obvious that the Welsh coaches think he's a better prospect than Scott Otten because he's just been brought into the Welsh squad, whether he's rated by them as better than Sam Parry now is open to question, because of Sam's age. I think Dewi has to be in the 23 but at whos expense?
Dragons match against Benneton postponed because of weather forecast. Someone has posted that decisions will be made tomorrow regarding the Scarlets and Ospreys games.
He needs a run out really before stepping back up to international level. I hate seeing players thrown straight back into the international mix after a long lay off. They never do themselves or the team justice I don't think.....
On that thought is Webb still tied to Toulon? He could do with a game or 2 under his belt if he's going to challenge Williams or Davies..
That was some kick from Luke Price to put us back in the lead and I am chuffed for the players that they managed to keep the lead until the end for a much deserved win.
I can only echo all of the plaudits previously given to the players who put in a terrific collective performance to win a game pretty much everyone thought would be another loss.
Ulster score their third try as we get pulled from pillar to post and we get caught too narrow again - hmmm I have heard and typed that before....23-24 with 10 minutes left to watch.
No idea how we got so narrow but Ulster score their second try as they make a 4 on 2 overlap count. Big last 20 minutes.
Wow, a second try from a driving maul. Nice to see some more patience to resist the counter drive and reset the maul and great work from Otten to finish it off. 23-10 on 49 minutes. I don't know what happens in the next 30 or so minutes but I do know the score so I will comment as the game wears on.
Something I noticed in the first half was the Ulster forwards running onto the ball and hitting contact at pace which tended to result in a dominant collision for them.
I think we were unfortunate to concede a penalty for offside that allowed Burns to kick a goal and bring the score to 18-10.
I thought we butchered a potential try after that Keiran Williams run as Luke Morgan went on an inside run instead of staying on the outside around the 27 minute mark. Fortunately it did not cost us the game for once. 29 minutes on the clock and we lead 18-7.
A good driving maul (something we have lacked for ages) leads to our second try. You have to applaud the pack for that effort and, in particular, Otten for persevering with the drive and Aled for not pulling the ball out.
Re the back three point being talked about, it has been noticeable for some time now that we defend awfully narrowly and it is all to easy for teams to get wide on us. I wonder if that is a coaching thing or a positional thing or a combination of both?
Finally found time to sit and start watching the game - a bright start and a reward with the opening 3 points.
Their first try comes from Gardiner and A Davies not being able to tackle McCloskey (no mean feat in itself) and he puts Baloucoune in for a simple try.
Our first try comes from some good work from the pack and a lovely pass across the defence on to a good line from Watkin. More to come as I watch more.
Our back three defence was shocking.
cai is simply not a full back as his positional play is dreadful.
Luke is all at sea when his opposite number runs T him.
hanno got caught to narrow for their try.
Best performance of the season. Everyone was committed and wanted to get a result. Thought Lydiat, Kieron Williams were superb. Best performance of the season by Aled Davies & Cracknel
What a performance tonight! Well done our lads. Yes there were errors and some nerves but there was an aggression and cohesion that I’ve not seen all season. ardderchog!!!
Announced on Radio Wales that there is a pitch inspection at 1.00pm at the LS. Nothing on the news page so far.
The Guinness PRO14 rolls on this weekend following a six-week hiatus, and there's an exciting team named to take on Ulster in round 11 of the Guinness PRO14 at the Liberty Stadium this Saturday.
The back three trio of Cai Evans, Hanno Dirksen, and Luke Morgan are reunited once more since their last outing in the Heineken Cup against Munster back in January. Evans recently renewed his contract with the Ospreys, extending his stay at the region, while Dirksen will be celebrating his 150th appearance in an Ospreys jersey.
Welsh international centre Owen Watkin has recovered from his knee injury to give both Ospreys and Wales a timely boost in the midfield. The young centre will celebrate his 50th cap for the region partnered with Kieran Williams, another who has been plagued with injuries this season. However, there's no lack of pace or power in the midfield with these two youngsters back in the mix.
Aled Davies starts at scrumhalf and will be looking to provide clean service for his outside half, Luke Price, the fly half having started all but two games in the Guinness PRO14 so far this season.
In the pack, props Nicky Smith and Simon Gardiner pack down at loosehead and tighthead respectively, with Scott Otten is given the nod at hooker.
Adam Beard, released by Wales for this weekend, returns seamlessly back into the fold and partners up with fellow international lock Bradley Davies to form a heavyweight second row.
Veteran flanker Dan Lydiate will lead the side from the blindside, while Olly Cracknell packs down on the openside. Gareth Evans makes a welcome return to the side and will pack down at number eight.
Starting XV 15. Cai Evans 14. Hanno Dirksen 13. Owen Watkin 12. Kieran Williams 11. Luke Morgan 10. Luke Price 9. Aled Davies
1.Nicky Smith  2. Scott Otten 3. Simon Gardiner 4. Adam Beard 5. Bradley Davies 6. Dan Lydiate © 7. Olly Cracknell 8. Gareth Evans
Replacements 16. Sam Parry 17. Gareth Thomas 18. Gheorghe Gajion 19. Lloyd Ashley 20. Sam Cross 21. Shaun Venter 22. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler 23. James Hook
The following players were unavailable for selection due to International duty: Justin Tipuric, Alun Wyn Jones, George North (All Wales).
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Gareth Anscombe
Harri Morgan
Cory Allen
James King
Rhys Henry
Will Griffiths
Keelan Giles
Tom Botha
Rhodri Jones
Scott Williams
Ma’afu Fia
Morgan Morris
I wonder if Dewi Lake will be selected for Saturday, it is perfectly obvious that the Welsh coaches think he's a better prospect than Scott Otten because he's just been brought into the Welsh squad, whether he's rated by them as better than Sam Parry now is open to question, because of Sam's age. I think Dewi has to be in the 23 but at whos expense?
Owen Watkin, Adam Beard and Dewi Lake have all been released back to the Ospreys to play this weekend.
Likely team for Saturday could be
N Smith
Parry or Otten
Fia
Ashley
BBBD
Lydiate
Cracknell
Morris
Venter
Price
Dirksen
S Williams
O Watkin
L Morgan
C Evans
Ireland releasing 14 players to their regions this weekend.
4 to Ulster
He needs a run out really before stepping back up to international level. I hate seeing players thrown straight back into the international mix after a long lay off. They never do themselves or the team justice I don't think.....
On that thought is Webb still tied to Toulon? He could do with a game or 2 under his belt if he's going to challenge Williams or Davies..