Ospreys - the future is good IMO

POSS NEXT YEARS TEAM,
its pretty good IMO what do you guys think? and what changes would you make?

1. Paul James Bench is bevinton
2. Richard Hibbard
3. Adam Jones bench is duncan jones
4. ryan Jones
5. Ian Evans bench is AW Jones
6. Jon Thomas
7. Justin Tuperic
8. George stowers
9. Rhys Webb bench is Kahn Fotuali
10. Dan Biggar
11. Shane Williams bench K.Phillips
12. Ashley Beck
13. andrew bishop bench sonny paker
14. Tommy Bowe
15. fussel bench is Tom Prydie

GHB
Sorry to tell you this but Duncan is a loosie, so 1. should read Paul James, Duncan and Bev.
Adam, will for next season only have Cai as a replacement, unless this new WQ guy they are bringing in is any good. Name escapes me.Cannot see AWJ as bench material.
Smith is likely to play 6, while JT plays 8, Stowers and Bearman on the bench.
Phillips is less likely to make the bench because Nikki Walker will play a big part next season, while Gareth Owen will bench for Beck.
Finally Fussel and Prydie may have to fight it out with one more big SH signing.

Otherwise I agree with your view.

I've already decided who will get my FREE SHIRT as a thankyou from the O's for renewing my season ticket.

Ospreylian - where does that lad Jarvis (i think) that you signed when Mitchel left play, is he a tight head? Also you have Cross in your region who seems to be a decent enough emergency back up if required.

Also why does nobody include Bearman or Barry Davies in their squads for next season? I would expect both of them to get a fair few appearances personally.

ospreylain
yeah i always seem to forget with ducan i've no idea why as he used to always be on the other side of adam in the scrums for us and wales
as for Cai he has really improved this season, there was a time when shivers went down my spine when i saw his name in the match day squad

there is many changes that could be made, i think thats the point i'm truely trying to make, with some of the big names going i think we still got a very good side, with their own points to prove, as both of you have mentioned there is some v good player that are not on my team list, nicky , barry, garath ect ect, not so bleak a future is it lads ;-)

awj wont be on the bench but for me i dont think his form entitles him to start as ryan's and ian's form has been better of late in the 2nd row.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Ospreylian - where does that lad Jarvis (i think) that you signed when Mitchel left play, is he a tight head? Also you have Cross in your region who seems to be a decent enough emergency back up if required.

Also why does nobody include Bearman or Barry Davies in their squads for next season? I would expect both of them to get a fair few appearances personally.

SS Jarvis is the lad who's name I forgot, Cross is yet to be fully made, but if the baking proceeds well he could be very good.
Bearman and Barry I expect to be no more than benchmen.
Barry could be a decent aquisition for the Scarlets, he'd be there all season and wont cost the earth.

GHB yes the point i guess I'm trying to make is that just like all the other regions, we have a wealth of young talent, home made and ready to go.

My jealousy knows no bounds..............when will a Welsh region play like Leinster did?

you know one of the biggest surprises about the ospreys this year has been Cai Griffiths.

He has actually played some half decent rugby this year, and I honest to god on high never for the life of me thought i would say that.


Looking forward to Ashley Beck playing regularly in James Hooks boots, the possibility of Matthew Morgan getting a few more games, Rhys Webb continuing his good work at scrum half and some of the youngster outside backs running in a few tries. We could have some very serious pace out wide, lets hope the young lads can step up to the mark...

All in all I am positively excited for next season, I have already purchased my season ticket.

ospreylian wrote:when will a Welsh region play like Leinster did?

The last time they did that was when the ospreys beat munster at home before christmas. before that was when the ospreys beat leinster at the RDS.

maestegmafia wrote:

ospreylian wrote:when will a Welsh region play like Leinster did?

The last time they did that was when the ospreys beat munster at home before christmas. before that was when the ospreys beat leinster at the RDS.

Agreed, however they were almost "oneoffs", I'm looking for a more resilient team that plays to that kind of standard week in week out, sort of mirrors the frustration that most of us feel about OUR team, they can do it but not often enough.
Also I too am looking forward to the likes of Beck, Walker and Dirksen featuring regularly, still a little unsure of Morgan but willing to admit that if his overall talent is big enough we can surely put up with a defensive frailty or two.

Did you get your free shirt?

I'm optimistic about next season. Just feel we need to sign a big unit unit in the center. We seem to be missing a crash ball option off slow ball, I know Walker is used in that way but I don't feel it's his forte.

I'm hoping things will be better next session, lots of promise from a group of youngsters and some old and bold about to set the example and lead the way. However lots of changes means we have to be realistic and not run before we can walk

TBJ9625 wrote:I'm hoping things will be better next session, lots of promise from a group of youngsters and some old and bold about to set the example and lead the way. However lots of changes means we have to be realistic and not run before we can walk

Have to agree TBJ9625, I'm not expecting much in the HEC next season.

However I think the Magners (or Fiat) should be contestable with that squad.

Looking forward to some rollicking runs from the base of the scrum by Stowers!

I agree about challenging for the ML but the HC QF is unlikely next year. Beck looks steady and so is Bishop but there is little creativity at 10, 12 and 13. I hope Bishop improves his passing and holds the ball with both hands i.e., not lose the ball in contact and keep the defenders on their toes. This past season he has tended to die with the ball when there were opions out wide. Like Wales this year, the centres are too similar hence the Ospreys have tried Bowe at centre, it may be worth trying again next year as he has good hands.

I prefer to see Ryan at 8 or 6 as he is such a good support player and is everywhere on the field which is difficult to do in the second row. I like I Evans and AWJ in the second row, I think Gough is past it and he gives too many penalties away. IMO Duncan offers more than James around the park and I thought he played well when I saw him play later in the season including scrum time.

At least the forwards still look strong for next season.

Interesting to see if Phillips gets another club, he may be back next year as nobody seems to want him with his expectations, he still has a long contract with the Ospreys!

Glamorganalun - I think Beck offers more than Bishop, indeed more than Hook at the moment!

A fully fit Ianto is a great asset, but he's a liability at the moment. Hopefully a good pre-season will sort him out.

Ryan put in a MoM performance against London Irish from the backrow, he was everywhere that match!

Got to disagree on Bowe, think he picks his best lines on the wing. However I'm a massive Duncan fan, just love seeing so much flair in a loosehead!

Watching Stowers this season - I'm quite excited about having a crash ball option.

Have you seen much of Kanh playing?

Ryan was in the second row against LI, that was his first game this season in that position, yes he and AWJ were everywhere as you said. I though LI looked very dangerous in that game but the Ospreys defence was top draw, shame they could not repeat at Reading!

I admit Bowe was not great in the centre he kept jumping out of the line and leaving a big gap in the defence but he is more skillful than any of the remaining centres.

No I don't have Sky, the only non ML club rugby I watch on TV are the English highlights on channel 4, I may get a smart card and watch ESPN next year for the French games!

Glamorganalun - sorry meant secondrow!

Bowe is certainly a class above our centres at the moment I agree. Although his form for us has been shaky, he looked great for Ireland during the 6 nations.

Alas I don't have sky either so all I know of Kanh is second hand. For what it's worth I've heard he's very vocal and a bit of a livewire. Wonder if they plan on putting him at 10 much?

London Irish looked so physical in that game I couldn't believe our defence held up so well. Both Ryan and AWJ put in some sything tackles in that match.

Even with his dip in form I dont think Ian Evans should be anywhere near the starting line up. He is lazy, often seen walking to rucks, and gives away far too many penalties. Has struggled with injuries, but has had his chance and isn't a youngster any more. Imagine AWJ will be back to form soon, everyones game ebbs and flows!

Ian Evans is just 11 months older than AWJ who is seen to be still developing!

Exactly, and my point is look at the difference in what each other have achieved. 3 lions caps so what ever Evans has. So in my opinion Evans has had the time but isn't up to the mark.

**to what ever Evans had**

Ianto comes across as a pleasant man off the pitch so I dislike to be too critical.

But we could really do with a tough second rower, of the "enforcer" mould. That's just not him.

TalkGonzo - he does come across as lazy on the field! If it's simply an aerobic fitness thing, then that should dissapear next season. I have suspicions it's not.

He, in particular had a howler against the Blues at re Liberty. One moment sticks out, Rush was on a storming run and Evans blatantly shirked it! Only for Ryan to sythe Rush down.

If he's not psychologically up for the contact, he shouldn't take to the field!

This is true, I'm guessing you've seen Iantos yak or whatever its called? He's a pretty funny guy!

Yeh I've watched a couple of those, does seem like a laugh!

He is highly rated in the lineout, so I hope he finds some form next season.

I have lost count of the amount of times we haven't been able to kcik to touch as we have no hope of winning the lineout!

On different note - The Rolling Maul! Lots of people over on the Os forum highlighting just how powefull we could be if we used this more. The few occasions we have it has looked devastating. If we are going to get serious about contending in Europe we really need to get the best out of our formidable forwards.

Anyone over here use the Os forum?

I still prefer I Evans over Gough, Gough gives penalties away at important times in the game and his legs have finally gone, he is only looking for the one off big hit. Gough for me does not do enough work hence Ryan being stuck in the second row which is a waste and not helping his RWC chances at 8.

I agree that the Ospreys don't capitalise on their forward power and don't apply enough pressure in the scrum or more frustrating ,in the line out (like Wales). Why teams don't jump in the line out drives me mad, they just handing good ball to the opposition, it is not as if the Ospreys don't have line out jumpers (AWJ, I Evans, JT and RJ). I think the Ospreys may be better off keeping the ball in the forwards on Sat and not kick it away and who knows!

Glamorganalun - I agree Ianto is better than Gough, I think Goughs career lies in punditry.

In my opinion I like the sound of - second row of AWJ and Ryan, with a backrow of Bearman (6) Tipuric (7) and Stowers (8).

Really hope that balance will bring success. Only time will tell.

Loki

I used to go onto the O's forum but got a little turned off by the constant bickering and name calling..............mind you that was over three years ago, maybe things have changed now.

Guys dont be too hard on Ianto, he did have a career threatening injury, it's clear to me that he ought to have had a season in the premiership........but that's another whole can of worms!!!