Scarlets v Ospreys at Parc y Scarlets 26.12.11 KO 2:05pm

A sell out crowd should provide the perfect atmosphere to what has the potential to be a very good, highly competative game of rugby.

Scarlets Team:: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Jon Davies, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Rhodri Jones, 2 Matthew Rees (capt), 3 Rhys Thomas, 4 Lou Reed, 5 Dominic Day, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Rob McCusker, 8 Ben Morgan.

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Phil John, 18 Deacon Manu, 19 Sione Timani, 20 Johnathan Edwards, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Stephen Jones, 23 Iongi Viliame.

Key players that are still recovering from illness/injury such as Damien Welch and Iestyn Thomas not included, with the Scarlets mindful they only have a four day turnaround before another big match against the Dragons away on the 30th December.

Ospreys meanwhile have been hit hard by injury and suspension in their 2nd row position and will be without Ian Evans, AW Jones and I Gough. However a big shout out to Adam Jones who will be earning his 150th start for the Osprey's on Monday.

Ospreys team: 15 Barry Davies 14 Tommy Bowe 13 Andrew Bishop 12 Ashley Beck 11 Shane Williams 10 Dan Biggar 9 Kahn Fotuali'i 1 Paul James 2 Richard Hibbard 3 Adam Jones 4 James King 5 Jonathan Thomas 6 Ryan Jones 7 Justin Tipuric (Capt) 8 Joe Bearman

Replacements: 16 Mefin Davies 17 Ryan Bevington 18 Aaron Jarvis 19 Tom Smith 20 George Stowers 21 Rhys Webb 22 Matthew Morgan 23 Hanno Dirksen

How does everyone see this one going? After a hard fought draw at the Liberty earlier in the season, can either side get the upper hand on the other?

Probably their strongest team, is McCusker an openside though? Thought he was more of a blindside

Not really an openside at all IronMike. Our main 7's are Jonathan Edwards and Richie Pugh (although Turnbull can be handy there also). He's going to have a very tough evening against Tipuric I reckon.

Who is James King for the O's in the 2nd row? anyone know much about him?

Glad to see Priestland back at 10, I understand the Regions view points but hate seeing players moved between different positions, if he's your best in that position then leave him there.

Good to see how Beck goes again as he has been playing well.

should be good to see Priestland up against Bigger. If Bigger plays anything like the last two games, he'll have his arse handed to him on a plate. I would have prefered to start this game with Webb and Morgan. I'm hoping our backrow can have a good game and help us maintain possession and momentum. Ryan was excellent against the Sarries, and may that form continue. I think they do seem like two equally balanced sides, with possibly the Scarlets having the advantage in their back line. That said I'm still hoping for an Osprey win

He wasn't the best in the position though bedford from his form in the first match against Munster, tis why Stevo started the 2nd match. It's competition for places. Both 10's know they have to be at the very top of their game to keep the starting spot, can only be good for us I think.

Rugby,

I agree and understand but was he best XV either? If thats the case then leave him at XV.

We have seen it so many times where players are moved from pillar to post or shoe horned into a team in any position and in a lot of cases it doesn't do them any good.

yes he's the best full back in our squad, although Sanjay has done brilliantly for us in Stoddart's absence.

This season will be much like last, Preistland having a bit of a stint at FB but getting more and more game time at 10. He needs consistency in his game management before he can truly oust Stevo for the shirt, imo anyway.

I'm a teensy bit worried about the O's for this one. We're lacking up front with Gough banned, Ianto, AWJ and Goode off too. I still hope it's a good game and the O's win though

73-19 to Ospreys

I think it will be a tight game but the Scarlets will just nick it.

I agree it'll be close Alyn, but I can't call a winner! Scarlets should win, but how often I've heard that and then the result has been horrible!

Should be a good match regardless though

rugbydreamer wrote:I agree it'll be close Alyn, but I can't call a winner! Scarlets should win, but how often I've heard that and then the result has been horrible!

Should be a good match regardless though

Looking at it from the Ospreys point of view, our front 5 has won us all our games this season, no Ianto, no Alun-Wyn Jones, no Gough, 2 back row forwards as locks.

Kahn Fotuali'i as been shocking in every game he has started but played decently in every game he has gone on as a sub, and he's starting.

Paul James has played poor lately and given a lot of penalties away in the scrum, yet we play him instead of the form loose head in Wales (Duncan Jones).

I'm very glad Fussell has been dropped though, he's playing like a clown and looks out of his depth at Full Back. So at least that gives me some hope.

I am not happy Barry Davies is going to be playing against us! Still can't get used to not seeing him play in a Scarlets shirt

Really looking forward to this match..

Scarlets fans will be delighted as I predict a 10 pt win for Ospreys.

Ospreys by 4 points.

Nice to see Scott Gibbs back on local telly

Awwwh Tommy looking lovely after Christmas

Come on Ospreys - BELIEVE!!

yes close game with the O's just scrapping a win......hopefully

State on that pitch - doesn't normally look that patchy at PYS does it?

Biggar needs to watch his kicking...he can't keep giving away possession.

Oh close opportunity for Tommy there, but just missed out on the catch, and Scarlets have good attacking position which is given away by Lamont's tackle on Tommy. O's get a penalty kick so we're back up the other end...

Problems at the scrum - Rhys Thomas warned again. Both sides attempting cross-kick try opportunities today...

Nigel complaining about the scrum again, he's fed up with all the time spent on scrums. They're looking messy though.

Scarlets given a penalty as someone in the O's was offside...great tackle on North by Fotuali'i though - could've been a try there.

Priestland goes for the points. 3 - 0.

Good defence by the Scarlets, and they win a free kick so we're down in the O's 22.

Priestland going for another penalty kick. Ospreys need to watch their penalty count.

6 - 0.

Fotuali'i is actually having a good game so far. And as I said that the scarlets get the turnover - that was an O's forward's fault though. Wha's the betting one of them's in the bin today?

Blatant deliberate obstruction by Mccusker followed by some amateur dramatics from Biggar luckily for the Scarlets, it's only a penalty kick.

Rubbish conditions aren't helping the slow ball here. Nigel tells off both captains because players are shouting instructions at him. O's free kick to the corner.

ARRRGH! Tommy! Just misses another opportunity - Williams passes to him and he makes the pass, but drops the ball before the try line. Frustrating!!!

Conditions very damp and muddy, creating a lot of knock-ons. Third time lucky Tommy, come on! Bit of handbags between Thomas and Hibbard first...

MORE handbags about 80 seconds later....the forwards again getting riled. Biggar given a penalty opportunity anyway.

6 - 3.

"Smiler" not very happy with Mr Hibbard

Cari, please don't take this the wrong way but: I notice you do a running commentary of the Ospreys games (which are pretty good so keep up the good work!). But, do you go to the games? And if not, why not?! Nothing against you if you don't go, but was just curious really! Do you live away somewhere?

Ha! Living up to his name then Pete!

Griff - I go to matches when I can. I went to this reverse fixture last month.

Oh feck. Thomas scores for the Scarlets.

13 - 3.

Fotuali'i's fault - he's too slow getting the ball away.

Terrible from Fotuali'i in fairness.

Fotuali'i partly at fault, but I agree with Jonathan Davies - the Ospreys forward are making life very difficult for him - the two charged down box kicks Fotuali'i had to dig the ball out then get a box kick away, his forwards werent placing the ball back for him.

Cari wrote:Griff - I go to matches when I can. I went to this reverse fixture last month.

Oh feck. Thomas scores for the Scarlets.

13 - 3.

Fotuali'i's fault - he's too slow getting the ball away.

Cheers Cari, I was being unnecessarily nosy really!

Awful by Fotuali'i (and North at the restart), has to be said his recycling has been snail-paced every game I've seen him. Not what the O's paid for.

Scarlets looking confident.

Jeez - and we used to think Mike Phillips was slow and will someone please shut Dan Bighead up, you stupid feicing 2@

MMC - aye, I take back what I said earlier!

Bloody hell - Scarlets force the turnover again.

Penfro - I could get up and make a brew in the time it takes Fotuali'i to get the ball out.

Nige has already mentioned the refereeing from the players...

Another gem from Jiffy

"Its like golf"

oh god, the gap widens. GULP!

16 - 3. who was it said the Scarlets by ten?!

True I suppose Artful, it'll be a test of his mettle to see how he reacts from here. Ospreys are playing quite poorly so far. If there's one team that can come back from a 13 point deficit it's them though.

PenfroPete wrote:Jeez - and we used to think Mike Phillips was slow and will someone please shut Dan Bighead up, you stupid feicing 2@

Who wouldn't give Fotty a talking to today? Nice to see someone taking the initiative.

...and another poor kick from Biggar, completely misses the line so the Scarlets just get easy possession.

Anyone else get irritated by Jiffy calling the Scarlets Llanelli?! This isn't the Welsh premiership, man!

Biggar kicks to a decent chase: "That's an awful kick"

Scarlets kick deep to no chase: "That's a great kick"

Oh Jiffy

OH DAN!!! No faith in your team mates. They could've run with that. Fortune favours the brave!

HT 16 - 3.

Jiffy is hilarious! WIDE! WIIIIDE!!