Scarlets vs Ospreys - THE BIG DERBY TEAMS ANNOUNCED and live match-day thread

[Smirnoffpriest]

First topic message reminder :

RaboDirect Pro12: Scarlets v Ospreys
Venue: Parc y Scarlets, LlanelliDate: Friday, 21 September
Kick-off: 19:05 BST
TEAMS ANNOUNCED

Scarlets team v Ospreys Friday 21st September 2012, Parc y Scarlets kick-off 7.05pm:
15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 1 Phil John, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Deacon Manu, 4 George Earle, 5 Richard Kelly, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Josh Turnbull, 8 Rob McCusker (capt).
Replacements:
16 Matthew Rees, 17 Peter Edwards, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Sione Timani, 20 Johnathan Edwards, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Aled Thomas, 23 Gareth Maule.

Ospreys15 Richard Fussell 14 Hanno Dirksen 13 Tom Isaacs 12 Andrew Bishop 11 Tom Grabham 10 Dan Biggar 9 Kahn Fotuali'i 1 Duncan Jones 2 Richard Hibbard 3 Aaron Jarvis 4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt) 5 Ian Evans 6 George Stowers 7 Justin Tipuric 8 Joe Bearman
REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Baldwin 17 Ryan Bevington 18 Joe Rees 19 Jonathan Thomas 20 Ryan Jones 21 Rhys Webb 22 Matthew Morgan 23 Jonathan Spratt

Ospreys coach Steve Tandy is hoping his players use the occasion of Friday's Welsh derby at Scarlets to put a dismal start to the season behind them.
But Tandy hopes the 21 September clash with unbeaten west Wales rivals Scarlets will provide a turning point.
"We've always performed in derbies, we're a pretty proud bunch and I know that they'll be hurting," said Tandy.
"So there's probably no better game for us than going down to the Scarlets and hopfully prove a point... really show that we are still a decent team, and get those basic areas of our game right.

An opening defeat away at Treviso - Ospreys' first loss to an Italian side - was followed by a home loss to Ulster and then another humbling at their Liberty Stadium home by Glasgow.

Scarlets' start to the season, in contrast to Ospreys, has been impressive and the Parc y Scarlets side sit unbeaten at the top of the Pro12 table with victories over Leinster, Glasgow and Connacht.

PS - THERE MAY BE A TRIBUTE TO NEVIN, GRAHAM AND NOEL SPENCE. I am unsure of the details but have heard that the crowd and announcer may sing Stand Up for the Ulstermen before the Scarlets/Ospreys game.

Could anyone with more/definate information comment please?

[Cari]

..and George Norf, you're no Tommy...just sayin'

Neither are you Dirksen...

[gowales]

Ospreys gone back to trying to win a game with only their scrumaging

*yawn*

[Cari]

Oh booger. I was hoping Alybong would go all the way with that.

[gowales]

Fussell surprisingly hasn't been completley sh*t tonight.

Still isn't a fullback though and knocks the ball on like a schoolboy. One of the clumsiest fullbacks i've seen at any level of rugby

[Cari]

Hang on...wasn't there two knock ons there? Well done Fotuali'i that's the only good thing you've done tonight...

[wales606]

Ryan Jones saved the O's there, still a penalty for the Scarlets though

[wales606]

Ospreys gone back to trying to win a game with only their scrumaging

*yawn*

But they spend most of the mid part of the season including HC (under Holley and Johnson) showing no creativity and just winning games with the scrum. To be fair they did show some individual flare with Beck and Webb

[wales606]

Ooooh, off the post by Preistland

His kicking percentage is awful again :/

[wales606]

Ryan Jones again win the ball for the Ospreys and takes play to the other side of the field with the O's in possession.

[Cari]

Priestland unlucky the penalty bounces off the post.

9 - 9 after 71 minutes.

Foxy v Hibbard...

[mckay1402]

really feel for Priestland. He's really lost confidence since the world cup. He's got to pull it together though

[gowales]

Ospreys gone back to trying to win a game with only their scrumaging

*yawn*

But they spend most of the mid part of the season including HC (under Holley and Johnson) showing no creativity and just winning games with the scrum. To be fair they did show some individual flare with Beck and Webb

It's a big problem to be honest and something i'm highly critical of. We were very lucky to have Shane towards the end of the season

[LordDowlais]

try

[Cari]

YAY!!! R-JO IS IN!!!!

9 - 14 before conversion.

[GavinDragon]

priestland general play is fine i think but needs to improve his kicking.....good thing we half halfpenny for wales

[wales606]

Ryan Jones returns.

Saves one try, turns over crucial possession, scores a try.

The O's have really missed him. Back in form after 10 minutes of play.

[LordDowlais]

What a kick.

[wales606]

BEAUTIFUL kick from Biggar, probably secures a draw at least.

[mckay1402]

what was the scarlets try disallowed for?

[Morgannwg]

Ospreys might have nicked it. A fair reflection? Does it further highlight the desperate need for a competent kicker?(for the Scarlets).

[glamorganalun]

What a game something going on all the way through Ospreys to win

[LordDowlais]

Another try for Dirksen. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gowales]

Someone needs to whack out the ol' Ole Ospreys

[GavinDragon]

good try

[wales606]

Try for Dirksen

What on earth happened in this game.

O's played there first decent game and the Scarlets looked stunned.

[Morgannwg]

Well done spreys. Deserved winners!

[Coleman]

Dirksen is exactly what derby fixtures need. A panto villain!

[glamorganalun]

Go for the bonus (joke)

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

Was up for the Scarlets the whole way, but the up side for the other 11 teams in the league (inc Leinster) is that it halts Scarlets progress at the top of the league

[wales606]

Another perfect kick from Biggar.

If Halfpenny/Hook are not available for Wales, Preistland can't play interntional rugby at the moment.

[LordDowlais]

Another beautifull kick by Biggar.

[Cari]

9-23 with less than three minutes to go.

Duncan Jones MOTM.

[glamorganalun]

Deserved MOTM also Bishop played really well

[GavinDragon]

think the ref has done well as well let the game flow....samson lees yello the only questionable decision forme

[gowales]

I would have had Bishop as MOTM. His defence and direct running set the tone for the rest of the team.

[Morgannwg]

My guess is Prydie will get called up to cover wing, full-back and also be considered a place kicker if Halfpenny is injured. Can't have RP anywhere near the sticks.

[glamorganalun]

This shows up the Scarlets weakness in the HC must need proping up

[Morgannwg]

The TMO to use his 'new powers' ?

[gowales]

Wasn't he in touch?

[Cari]

North's body was out of play but the try was awarded...I'm confused?

FT 14-23 Scarlets salvage a LBP.

[Morgannwg]

I don't think I quite understand that, why can you be allowed to ground it from there?

[gowales]

This shows up the Scarlets weakness in the HC must need proping up

They need to start Rees against Clermont

[LordDowlais]

I really enjoyed this match, I'm not going to lie to you. Now, If you have any interest in the TV rights for the Celtic league and the row threatening the Celts and Italians in Europe, you MUST watch the next programme on BBC 2 Wales as they are discussing it on Sport Wales at 9pm. I even started a thread about it.

[Morgannwg]

How about Aled Thomas or Jordan Williams on one of the wings in Fenby's place? They really need another kicker in the team.

[Cari]

R-JO He's always good for an interview.

[munkian]

5 in 3 for Georgey Boy

[Morgannwg]

Back to Holley now...

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

what's the score lads?

[Cari]

FT 16-23

[MrsP]

I don't think I quite understand that, why can you be allowed to ground it from there?

Because North was not in possession the ball was still in play and so the try was legally scored. In this case it didn't matter where North was so long as the ball was in play.

If North had gathered the ball before he slid over the deadball line it would not have been a try.

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