Ospreys vs Toulouse Round two...!

Ospreys v Toulouse
KO 13:35 at The Liberty Stadium

December 15, 2012 1:00pm

Live on Sky Sports 1 from 13:00


Ospreys Team

15 Richard Fussell, 14 Ross Jones, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i (Capt)
1 Ryan Bevington, 2 Richard Hibbard, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 4 Ian Gough, 5 James King, 6 Ryan Jones, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Joe Bearman

REPLACEMENTs
16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Adam Jones, 19 Lloyd Peers, 20 George Stowers, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Matthew Morgan, 23 Tom Isaacs


Toulouse Team

15 Maxime Médard, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Yann David, 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Yoann Huget, 10 Jean-Marc Doussain, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Thierry Dusautoir, 6 Jean Bouilhou, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Yoann Maestri, 3 Cencus Johnston, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Vasil Kakovin.

Replacements
16 Jean-Baptiste Poux, 17 Yohan Montes, 18 Roman Millo-Chluski, 19 Yannick Nyanga, 20 Gregory Lamboley, 21 Sébastian Bézy, 22 Yannick Jauzion, 23 Christopher Tolofua

Bad times. It's unbelievable how a team could get so decimated by injury in the front 5 (Wales and Ospreys). I suspect R Jones could be moved to 2nd row (boy Wales and Ospreys are flogging him). Ian Evans should be fit, it was only the last minute he dropped out but I suspect that could see him last less than 80 minutes.

How's the recruitment going then as apparently you were after a temp tighthead?

Yes a tighthead is on the cards. I have heard rumours, only that, we are courting a few Kiwi THs on a short term deal to cover for a few months of their off season.

We have to. Our three Squad players all crocked, Jarvis out for the season, Adam and Joe Rees hopefully back much sooner.

Thought you said Owen Franks was staying behind maes?

Well I guess if we haven't heard anything now then it'll be too late, as ideally you'd need to be going to Toulouse with this new TH.

If no new TH then they really are stuffed as they only have 1 TH available to them,

I wouldnt be suprised to see them run up 45-50 points against us.

After the damage the Wales losses has done to us were in no position to face them and compete.

thespreys wrote:If no new TH then they really are stuffed as they only have 1 TH available to them,

They have two Cai and Dimitri.

There was word of the Os trying to negotiate a deal for Franks for a month. I haven't heard any more but I have been busy.

Cai is cup tied,but they have signed Campbell Johnstone till the end of the season

So how's that front 5 looking now; Jones, Baldwin, Johnstone, Gough, R. Jones?

Couldn't get Franks so we get Johnstone... Still sounds pretty damn good considering the hole we were in a few days ago.

Plenty of European and Super 15 experience.

BBC says

Ospreys have rated outside-half Dan Biggar as "50-50" for the Heineken Cup trip to Toulouse on Saturday.

More importantly than anything else on this thread - how do you compete with merchandising like this?:
http://boutique.stadetoulousain.fr/culotte/cat325/13615-boxer-fem-ball-argent-xxs.html

Jees GC...!

I just bought some of those online because that merchandising is so good, so very good...

Players and management from the Swansea-based RaboDirect PRO12 side were thrown in at the deep end at the launch of Celtic Quest, where they spent a day using brain and brawn to strengthen team bonding.
The new Celtic Quest activity forms part of the expanding corporate facilities at Bluestone. It follows growth within its conference and events services over the past 18 months and the launch of The Pavilion in September, a new corporate and event venue for conferences, gala dinners and events.

"Team building is paramount on and off the pitch," said Andy Lloyd, Rugby Operations Manager at the region.

"What's interesting is that building a successful team on the pitch is just as important off the pitch in a business environment - and that's where team building is critical."

He added: "You need to have a team that's gelling well together in order to succeed. You're not going to achieve growth, success or profitability without a strong team behind the business that's working cohesively.

"Celtic Quest is a great way for businesses to identify their strengths and weaknesses and work together for an end goal - achieving bonding and, more importantly, results. It's quite unique in that it allows individuals to focus on their stronger abilities while being part of a team. It ensures that nobody's left out, which is imperative as part of team building."

Celtic Quest takes participants on a range of physical and mental challenges designed to bring team members together in a fun and sociable way, while ensuring they leave as a focused team capable of achieving results for their employees.

Yvonne Buckingham, Head of Marketing at Bluestone, said:

"We realised that with the development of our conference and meeting facilities many clients were coming here to undertake their own team building activities. We wanted to take that to the next level by allowing them to utilise the great all-weather facilities and setting up a programme that can support their team development."

"With 500 acres of countryside, the steep ravine, our Tournament Field, the woods, cycling paths and walks, combined with our modern indoor facilities incuding our award-winning holistic spa, water park and luxury accommodation, we can provide a bespoke business team build and one that supports a company's objective to grow and develop."

Bluestone, which opened over four years ago, hosts large and small corporate events. Earlier this year more than 600 guests from and international blue chip company attended a conference at the resort; hiring the entire site for accommodation, meetings and gala dinners.

"We're seeing significant growth in our corporate market. From meetings and conferences to staff and customer incentives and loyalty offers. Companies are looking for cost-effective and bespoke solutions and we're lucky to be able to provide that here," added Yvonne.

Ryan Jones joined teammates at the Celtic Quest event, and he said:

"It's great to get out of the normal working environment and for us it's not just about on the pitch training. There's a lot of strategic thinking as well as physical activity.

"Celtic Quest has been a great way to bring the team together and highlight where our strengths and weaknesses lie personally and professionally within the team. It's brought us together and helped management to identify areas that we need to work on to ensure we're all working collectively to achieve one goal - to win."

More details about Celtic Quest and Bluestone's corporate services can be found at www.bluestonewales/corporate.

Celtic Quest? what a load of crap! We all saw the results of team building with the super Welsh team following their jolly in Spala.And they were led by the Messiah.

thespreys wrote:Celtic Quest? what a load of crap! We all saw the results of team building with the super Welsh team following their jolly in Spala.And they were led by the Messiah.

I dont think you have got the right stick for beating this with mate...!

maestegmafia wrote:Jees GC...!

I just bought some of those online because that merchandising is so good, so very good...

Jonathan on this weekends game

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/matchdaytv/?play=media&id=13606

Great to see such optimism from the coach... !

Right stick for beating with? what is that supposed to mean maes? mate.

thespreys wrote:Right stick for beating with? what is that supposed to mean maes? mate.

I don;t think Spala had anything negative to do with the Welsh performance at international level and I don't think the Celtic Quest day out will have any negative effect on the Ospreys. Celtic Quest is pretty harmless fun.

And we know Spala has been great for the lads increasing fitness and performance levels. Wales problem is injuries and form.

Knee problem puts Evans out of action
6 December 2012 18:00pmBy Ospreys Rugby

Photo: Huw Evans Agency
Ian Evans has been ruled out of action for up to eight weeks following an investigation into an ongoing knee injury.

Ospreys Head Physio, Chris Towers, confirmed the news today saying:
"Ian has been troubled by an ongoing problem with his right knee since being unable to complete the Samoa game last month.

"Investigations and consultations with specialists have resulted in him undergoing a keyhole procedure, as a result of which he will be sidelines for six to eight weeks."

The boys are still in Bristol. The flight is delayed. Great start.

Campbell Johnstone makes his Ospreys debut

Ross Jones, Scott Baldwin and James King make their Heineken Cup debuts

Matthew Dwyer, Dmitri Arhip and Lloyd Peers will make their Heineken Cup debuts if they come off the bench

The following players were not considered because of injury:

Alun Wyn Jones - Shoulder

Hanno Dirksen - Knee

Joe Rees - Neck

Jonathan Thomas - Groin

Adam Jones - Knee

Tom Smith - Groin

Aaron Jarvis - Knee

Richard Hibbard - Shoulder

Owen Williams - Hamstring

Ian Evans - Knee

Tom Grabham - Hip

Forwards Coach, Jonathan Humphreys, said:

"To go an take on someone like Toulouse at their ground is one of the toughest asks in European rugby, particularly when we have such a long injury list. We are up against one of the strongest squads in the competition with a budget that you can't compare to ours, and we know that we are going to have to be at our very best if we hope to get anything out of the game whatsoever.

"What I would say though is that we have a great spirit in this group, a real togetherness, and we will go out there believing in our own ability rather than focusing on what Toulouse are about.

"We are going to have to give probably our best ever display as an Ospreys team if we are going to bring anything back from Toulouse but one thing you can guarantee is that we will give it absolutely everything. The Ospreys spirit is about fighting for the cause, giving everything and never knowing when we are beaten, and that is what you can expect at the weekend.

"We realise that we are going into the game as underdogs but that's a good place for us to be. We're looking forward to it, we know that there'll be Ospreys fans traveling out to support the cause like they always do, and we want to put in the kind of performance that will make them proud of their team."

I think its fantastic the ospreys can have such a horrific injury list and still stick out such a good first 15.

Plenty of talented kids and wiley old heads in that team.

Aye, 11 injuries to a squad being run on a fifth of the budget of the team they are playing this weekend.

On paper we do not stand a chance... In reality, we don't really stand a chance, but it would be nice for Toulouse to have a shocker and let us prosper from it.

I think ALL the Welsh regions are in trouble this week. That stupid fourth Welsh international went ahead...anyway, there's no going back...hope Mr Lewis is pleased with himself. Wassock. I'd love to see an O's win of course, but it would be a blydi miracle...

Yep Cari, I dont think many of us have high hopes. Other than we get through this without too many further injuries.

How is that Roger Lewis fault Cari?

The regions demanded more money from the WRU, and the WRU stated it gets most of its money from hosting international games. The forth game isn't down to WRU greed, but down to the regions not being able to market and sustain themselves properly to generate their own money. So the WRU had to be creative and find ways to help the regions.

Sadly that extra game has taken a horrific toll on some of the regions squads through injuries.

Shifty wrote:How is that Roger Lewis fault Cari?

The regions demanded more money from the WRU, and the WRU stated it gets most of its money from hosting international games. The forth game isn't down to WRU greed, but down to the regions not being able to market and sustain themselves properly to generate their own money. So the WRU had to be creative and find ways to help the regions.

Sadly that extra game has taken a horrific toll on some of the regions squads through injuries.

We are in no different situation to many other clubs, England played extra games too.

Shifty...it's not just the fourth game (I'll leave my gripes with the WRU to another relevant thread though) but it certainly didn't help. I know England had a fourth game also, but they seem to have managed better with it than Wales have. Anyway...back on topic, I really don't feel optimistic about the HC/Amlin at all for the regions to be honest. If something miraculous did happen, then that would be fantastic...

I think O's will get the losing bp here, but I wouldn't be surprised if they stole a win.

Not sure why but just have a feeling.

Oooh I ghope you did the team talk...

First two scrums went very well

Great work by Gough in defence, some huge hits on the massive Toulouse Pack

Pen Toulouse and McAllister misses

Nice turnover...oh penalty, of course

Lovely break by houget..

Lovely break by fritz.. great feet through the gap and under the posts

7-0

kingjohn7 wrote:Nice turnover...oh penalty, of course

A touch unfair I agree

poor kick out on the full by biggar.. bad bounce more than lack of skill

Great defence by Ospreys... But how long can it last, ST are relentless

McAlister held up in the tackle. Penalty to the Os in their own half, just...!

Sorry its a scrum and Rolland is having a chat with everyone pre scrum...!

Great take by Houget from clerc... even better tackle by James King

Messy line out, knock on by toulouse goes to Nyanga who sprints for the corner...

rolland goes to the TMO

Meat pie number two.

Nyanga.

Conversion miss.

12-0.

Its a try..
12-0

Houget knocks on twice so does some other fella and Rolland misses all three?????

how was the up n under knocked backwards?

Wow not straight throw actually noticed...!

Ospreys trying to play a territory game in attack, if in their half, they boot it.

Keep losing line outs though so its not working.

Luckily toulouse drop the ball so frequently that Rolland is at least getting 30% of the knock ons.