Lydiate makes first Ospreys start

Dan Lydiate makes first Ospreys start against Scarlets on Saturday
15 Evans
14 Dirksen
13 Beck
12 Matavesi
11 Walker
10 Biggar
9 Webb
8 Ardron
7 Tipuric
6 LYDIATE
5 King
4 AWJ
3 Arhip
2 Baldwin
1 Thomas
It will be a long day at the office in the scrum tomorrow I suspect unless we can minimise that part of the game, should be a very good crowd, short of capacity but not by too much, should be a good occasion and hopefully a home win

Scarlets squad named

15 Liam Williams,
14 Harry Robinson,
13 Regan King,
12 Hadleigh Parkes,
11 Kristian Phillips,

10 Rhys Priestland,
9 Aled Davies,

1 Rob Evans,
2 Emyr Phillips,
3 Samson Lee,

4 Jake Ball,
5 George Earle,

6 Aaron Shingler,
7 John Barclay [c],
8 Rory Pitman

Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Wyn Jones, Rhodri Jones, Lewis Rawlins, Will Boyde, Rhodri Williams, Steven Shingler, Steffan Hughes

Players unavailable: Ken Owens [neck], Richard Kelly [fractured arm], Phil John [knee], Scott Williams [shoulder sprain], Rob McCusker [shoulder sprain], Steffan Evans [ankle], Joe Snyman [ankle sprain], James Davies [ankle sprain].

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/37738

Should be a bit of a tale of backs v forwards. If the Ospreys get parity, I think they might win by 9 or so.

By 9 rev? Bp at least...

Haha. Not arguing against a BP, but still a 9 point win

Hoping to get back in time for the game... Two good teams selected. Should be a great match

I just wish they had selected Bernardo instead of King, not because of line out prowess, for weight at scrum time, as well as Marc Thomas has done at loose head he needs bulk behind him, he could struggle today against Samson.

Rainy at the Liberty, plays right into the Scarlets hands.

What was up with the Os scrum tonight the got mashed fair few times. Early (ish) days I know but Evans and Lee as Welsh props in not to near future with a fully fit Owens hooking.

Our scrum was punished all game Bw. A good job the decent first half meant the Os absolutely dire 2nd half showing gave us the win. No composure, shape, discipline nearly cost us the game.

I think Arhip is quite good but Ospreys were badly missing Nicky Smith as well as a TH sub. As good as Scarlets props were they had 2 scrummaging monsters behind them in Ball and Earle. Surprisingly the O's went for a back row in the 2nd row, it almost costs them the win.

That was quite an intense game, well your usual derby game with lots of big hits but also a lot of mistakes. It was definitely better than the Scottish 1872 game though.

Fair play that was an entertaining game, personally I have a few opinions (helped hugely via a home keg of cwrw blasus) about the scores through the game. But to be honest the better team won.

Looking forward to next week. But I do have a minor issue withit being awelsh Derby and having an Italian ref (Irish next week I believe).

Breadvan wrote:Our scrum was punished all game Bw. A good job the decent first half meant the Os absolutely dire 2nd half showing gave us the win. No composure, shape, discipline nearly cost us the game.

The problem was a 5th choice loosehead with a blindside flanker playing 2nd row behind him, I said BEFORE the game I was worried by that selection, it very nearly cost us this game, I don't normally like to comment on the day of the game as I sometimes get it wrong, but as it was replayed a number of times, WTF was Phillips not given a straight red card for his tackle on Evans is beyond belief.

Wayne, it wasn't that bad a tackle. He has lifted beyond 90 degrees but not 'driven' to the ground. Yellow was fair, and he got a slap for it too which could 'technically' have been a yellow/reversed pen. It evened out with the tries (second one especially).

Also being a pendant, the w in wtf is what not why  and I'm suffering from too much

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Wayne, it wasn't that bad a tackle.  He has lifted beyond 90 degrees but not 'driven' to the ground.  Yellow was fair, and he got a slap for it too which could 'technically' have been a yellow/reversed pen.  It evened out with the tries (second one especially).

I'm sorry SS it was plenty bad enough to warrant a red, watch it again when that haze has disappeared, and to your following post I know it is What the F

The haze started after that incident, around the time I though Adron was going to be awarded the try. To be honest I thing we could both do with Scrum V tomorrow (gutted its not on) to decide if it was that bad or not. Funny that it was an ex osprey on an ex scarlet mind.

I thought it was red, to be honest. I wasn't convinced by the Ospreys second try either. I know it was likely they did drive over, but "is there any reason I can't award the try" to me means, yes there was as the ball couldn't be clearly seen.

Wasn't impressed by Mitrea really. Never been a fan of his. I don't get why Nigel reffed in Ireland with two derbies on. Find Bevan a poor tmo too, personally.

wayne wrote:

Breadvan wrote:Our scrum was punished all game Bw. A good job the decent first half meant the Os absolutely dire 2nd half showing gave us the win. No composure, shape, discipline nearly cost us the game.

The problem was a 5th choice loosehead with a blindside flanker playing 2nd row behind him, I said BEFORE the game I was worried by that selection, it very nearly cost us this game, I don't normally like to comment on the day of the game as I sometimes get it wrong, but as it was replayed a number of times, WTF was Phillips not given a straight red card for his tackle on Evans is beyond belief.

Yeh, Fair point wayne. I felt King did well in open play but with an inexperienced LH in the scrum with him, probably being to harsh. Webb was poor second half, to many aimless box kicks. Tips or Dan Evans were more deserving of motm.

Breadvan wrote:

wayne wrote:

Breadvan wrote:Our scrum was punished all game Bw. A good job the decent first half meant the Os absolutely dire 2nd half showing gave us the win. No composure, shape, discipline nearly cost us the game.

The problem was a 5th choice loosehead with a blindside flanker playing 2nd row behind him, I said BEFORE the game I was worried by that selection, it very nearly cost us this game, I don't normally like to comment on the day of the game as I sometimes get it wrong, but as it was replayed a number of times, WTF was Phillips not given a straight red card for his tackle on Evans is beyond belief.

Yeh, Fair point wayne. I felt King did well in open play but with an inexperienced LH in the scrum with him, probably being to harsh. Webb was poor second half, to many aimless box kicks. Tips or Dan Evans were more deserving of motm.

Breadvan, King according to our stats is nearly a stone lighter than Bernardo, he is only an impact player at this level in that position, I was told today by one of our long term injured players that King was furious at the Lydiate signing, and has had meetings with the Ospreys staff and has been told he is to be used as a 2nd row option, I too agree that Webb was not MOTM material, a few were ahead of him in our team, never mind the Scarlets

Awful weather... But a decent game ensued. Was a bit surprised at the amount of fuss of Phillips tackle on Evans as I didn't really notice it.

Poor old Rhys Webb has a bit of a shiner this morning.

How could the TMO allow the first try considering the ball had been kicked through onto an Osprey shoulder - surely he was offside?

The Great Aukster wrote:How could the TMO allow the first try considering the ball had been kicked through onto an Osprey shoulder - surely he was offside?

Too fast for me to see in the pouring rain. I'll watch it on record later.

I think Derek Bevan was TMO, I'd be surprised if a red of his calibre would make a mistake...

What an absurd statement. Any ref can make mistakes.

Well I was at that game yesterday and had a great day out, that tackle that Kristian Phillips made on Dan Evans looked a lot worst in real life than it did on tele this morning.

Right, one thing that pisses me off with reffing in today's game, and that is the question "Is there any reason why I cannot award the try ?" If the ref thinks it's a try, then give it, do not kop out by asking somebody else to award it.

wayne wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Wayne, it wasn't that bad a tackle.  He has lifted beyond 90 degrees but not 'driven' to the ground.  Yellow was fair, and he got a slap for it too which could 'technically' have been a yellow/reversed pen.  It evened out with the tries (second one especially).

I'm sorry SS it was plenty bad enough to warrant a red, watch it again when that haze has disappeared, and to your following post I know it is What the F

I'm with scarlet spiderman on this. Yellow is fine.. He didn't drive him into the ground.

I thought the ref seemed a bit of a homer. The two tries for me were a bit suspect to say the least. Also, Scarlets dominated the scrums, and there was another occasion where the Scarlets were driving the Ospreys back whilst having good control of the ball at the back of the scrum - only to have it messed up by their crap No.9 because they were told to 'use it' instead of being awarded the penalty. Those extra points could have been crucial for Scarlets.

TJ wrote:

wayne wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Wayne, it wasn't that bad a tackle.  He has lifted beyond 90 degrees but not 'driven' to the ground.  Yellow was fair, and he got a slap for it too which could 'technically' have been a yellow/reversed pen.  It evened out with the tries (second one especially).

I'm sorry SS it was plenty bad enough to warrant a red, watch it again when that haze has disappeared, and to your following post I know it is What the F  

I'm with scarlet spiderman on this.  Yellow is fine..  He didn't drive him into the ground.

Just finished watching the game back, TJ, he lifted him with his legs way above his body, Evans got his hand to floor to stop the spear, the next part of his body to hit the ground was his left shoulder, DEFINATE RED, there was a communication issue between Bevan and Mitrea, it wasn't repaired until a few minutes later as was communicated by Bevan.
Why couldn't Mitrea look at the 2 F screens at either end of the field, as many other decent refs do these days and make it his own decision, I've got to say the Scarlet scrum taught us a lesson yesterday, which I was expecting, you cannot put a lightweight 2nd row behind a 5th choice loosehead, I hope Tandy has learnt his lesson here, mystified by Webbs MOTM, there were at least 3 better Ospreys on the pitch in Tipuric, AWJ and my MOTM Dan Evans as well as at least 2 Scarlets, the 2 props, finally unless Ken Owens comes back in on the weekend they should be down to their 4th and 5th choice hooker with Phillips injured and Myhill should be cited for the headbutt at the end of the game

maestegmafia wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:How could the TMO allow the first try considering the ball had been kicked through onto an Osprey shoulder - surely he was offside?

Too fast for me to see in the pouring rain. I'll watch it on record later.

I think Derek Bevan was TMO, I'd be surprised if a red of his calibre would make a mistake...

You mean Derek (lifelong Neath & Ospreys Fan) Bevan? Couldn't possibly have any bias, should be 4th official for every Ospreys game!

I thought the yellow card was a bit harsh, silly tackle but he was not lifted beyond horizontal so penalty at worst. The ref was abysmal, spoilt the game, I thought the try he disallowed should have been given, but both the trys he gave should not. Also how was he penalising the Scarlets scrum when they were going forward and the Ospreys scrum disintegrating?

Ospreys very lucky against a pretty poor Scralets side, if they were still playing they would not have scored a try!

Tipuric deserved motm, the best hooker on the pitch, he hookered at least two scrums

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Tipuric deserved motm, the best hooker on the pitch, he hookered at least two scrums

So that is open side, centre and now hooker he is the best in Wales eh SS

wayne wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Tipuric deserved motm, the best hooker on the pitch, he hookered at least two scrums

So that is open side, centre and now hooker he is the best in Wales eh SS

Neither position, IMO . Hence why he's on the bench for team Wales.

Webb had a poor kicking game and was no way MOTM. When I saw the Phillips tackle live I thought red and after the replay but glad it was a yellow.

I have not seen such a poor attacking Scarlets side, they did not look like scoring a try.

For me Lydiate is behind King playing 6 but did show some varrying during the game.

Looking forward to the return match, I do for an Ospreys win as the Scarlets have to play rugby and hope the Ospreys stop kicking poorly to Williams who should have been the MOTM.

Can't see past an Ospreys win next week. Pivac is so set on having a solid defence that he has sacrificed any attacking flare. Harry Robinson is dire, but gets selected because Pivac doesn't rate Kris or Jordan defensively (prob part of the over eager tackle early on).

Lydiate didn't stand out last night, but really not many players did.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Can't see past an Ospreys win next week. Pivac is so set on having a solid defence that he has sacrificed any attacking flare.  Harry Robinson is dire, but gets selected because Pivac doesn't rate Kris or Jordan defensively (prob part of the over eager tackle early on).

Lydiate didn't stand out last night, but really not many players did.

SS, I'm the opposite, Tandy for all his attributes is extremely stubborn, if we have to play Thomas at loosehead we need bulk behind him, King is NOT the answer, either the new Fijian or Bernardo has to play, you will probably have Ken Owen, Scott Williams and perhaps Gareth Davies available, if we stick with basically the same tight five and you have 2 of those back you should comfortably win, at least there is a decent referee assigned to this game (John Lacey), I do not know what station you watched the game on, I watched the replay on S4C this morning, and it was well after the tackle incident when they said they had sorted the communication problems, we can put a small object on a comet millions of miles away, yet we cannot communicate with a man in a van a couple of hundreds of yards away, absolutely ludicrous

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Can't see past an Ospreys win next week. Pivac is so set on having a solid defence that he has sacrificed any attacking flare.  Harry Robinson is dire, but gets selected because Pivac doesn't rate Kris or Jordan defensively (prob part of the over eager tackle early on).

Lydiate didn't stand out last night, but really not many players did.

Agreed but looking on the positve side defence has always been an issue with the Scarlets as well as the scrum thse have been much improved. I believe the Scarlets will improve with Shingler at 10, he far more reliable (and kicks well) now tha Preistland has been found out (finally).

After watching Liam Williams performance he put in some good kicks from mid field he could be worth a trial at 10 and stick Preistland at 15, the more Williams is in the game the better.

There has been talk of Sanjay place kicking, an additional string to his bow, so he can try to oust halfpenny, as that's halfpenny's edge over him.

I think I prefer the we will score one more than you, hell to defence attitude, than this rigid thou shalt no pass crap we have now.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:There has been talk of Sanjay place kicking, an additional string to his bow, so he can try to oust halfpenny, as that's halfpenny's edge over him.

I think I prefer the we will score one more than you, hell to defence attitude, than this rigid thou shalt no pass crap we have now.

It would make sense for Williams to give it a try, like you said SS that's one real area Halfpenny has the edge. If you think back to when Halfpenny first broke into set up he was generally only called on for the real long distance shots but he to has worked on that element of his game.

Both Wales wingers are on crap form, Halfpenny can also play on the wing (like LW). So for me LW starting for team Wales is now an absolute no-brainer. Does he now prefer full back to wing?

The Saint wrote:Both Wales wingers are on crap form, Halfpenny can also play on the wing (like LW). So for me LW starting for team Wales is now an absolute no-brainer. Does he now prefer full back to wing?

Saint,

Think most were saying that in the AIs though Cuthbert had the better series, North scored for Saints yesterday maybe their style his suiting him more. Think we have both said that maybe someone like Li Williams, Walker or Amos should get a decent run.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

The Saint wrote:Both Wales wingers are on crap form, Halfpenny can also play on the wing (like LW). So for me LW starting for team Wales is now an absolute no-brainer. Does he now prefer full back to wing?

Saint,

Think most were saying that in the AIs though Cuthbert had the better series, North scored for Saints yesterday maybe their style his suiting him more.  Think we have both said that maybe someone like Li Williams, Walker or Amos should get a decent run.

Cuthbert did, but he was by no means good. He's picking up where he left off for Cardiff as well by the looks. North was as we say on here 'urine poor' - great contrast to his Saints form. He only looked decent at centre if I'm honest.

BF - tbh I'm liking the look of Dirksen, more than Walker. But I'd like to see both get their chance, a long with more opportunity for Amos on Prydie. They might not be as big but they got what it takes.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Tipuric deserved motm, the best hooker on the pitch, he hookered at least two scrums

Certainly better game than Webb who I thought was pretty poor in the second half. i would have had; Matavesi, Dan Evans, Tipuric and Lydiate ahead of Webb as well as Scarlets props; Lee and Evans, Jock Shingler also looked good.

The Saint wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

The Saint wrote:Both Wales wingers are on crap form, Halfpenny can also play on the wing (like LW). So for me LW starting for team Wales is now an absolute no-brainer. Does he now prefer full back to wing?

Saint,

Think most were saying that in the AIs though Cuthbert had the better series, North scored for Saints yesterday maybe their style his suiting him more.  Think we have both said that maybe someone like Li Williams, Walker or Amos should get a decent run.

Cuthbert did, but he was by no means good. He's picking up where he left off for Cardiff as well by the looks. North was as we say on here 'urine poor' - great contrast to his Saints form. He only looked decent at centre if I'm honest.

BF - tbh I'm liking the look of Dirksen, more than Walker. But I'd like to see both get their chance, a long with more opportunity for Amos on Prydie. They might not be as big but they got what it takes.

North was poor for Northampton yesterday, out of position in defence a number of times, he was developing well at the Scarlets, but seems to have lost his way now. Dirksen is way off a Wales start, he is behind Walker and Hassler, probably the fijian as well, at the Ospreys and was caught from behind by a past it kiwi centre on saturday.....way too slow for test level where the game is so much quicker.

Seagultaf wrote:

The Saint wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

The Saint wrote:Both Wales wingers are on crap form, Halfpenny can also play on the wing (like LW). So for me LW starting for team Wales is now an absolute no-brainer. Does he now prefer full back to wing?

Saint,

Think most were saying that in the AIs though Cuthbert had the better series, North scored for Saints yesterday maybe their style his suiting him more.  Think we have both said that maybe someone like Li Williams, Walker or Amos should get a decent run.

Cuthbert did, but he was by no means good. He's picking up where he left off for Cardiff as well by the looks. North was as we say on here 'urine poor' - great contrast to his Saints form. He only looked decent at centre if I'm honest.

BF - tbh I'm liking the look of Dirksen, more than Walker. But I'd like to see both get their chance, a long with more opportunity for Amos on Prydie. They might not be as big but they got what it takes.

North was poor for Northampton yesterday, out of position in defence a number of times, he was developing well at the Scarlets, but seems to have lost his way now. Dirksen is way off a Wales start, he is behind Walker and Hassler, probably the fijian as well, at the Ospreys and was caught from behind by a past it kiwi centre on saturday.....way too slow for test level where the game is so much quicker.

Seagul, if Dirksen had been given that opportunity when he first came to us, he would have scored with ease, he has had 2 knee operations when the first wasn't successful, as far as our pecking order is concerned he is in front of Natoga, also when he initially joined us he was a centre, because of his poor passing skills when playing for Swansea he was played on the wing, he has actually turned out at centre a couple of times this season and made some exciting line breaks, so hopefully his career has turned full circle.

Walker and Dirksen both seem injury prone or have had their fair share up to now at least. North whilst poor is still scoring for Saints which is more than he is doing for Wales.

His defence, along with Cuthberts has never been his strong point, I think a good kick up the backside (being dropped) for both of them wouldn't do them any harm at all.

All the players say the right things by that I mean we always hear them saying no one is taking place for granted and if honest I don't think they do but (injury aside) we can all pretty much pick Gatlands starting XV for the WC.

wayne wrote:

Seagultaf wrote:

The Saint wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

The Saint wrote:Both Wales wingers are on crap form, Halfpenny can also play on the wing (like LW). So for me LW starting for team Wales is now an absolute no-brainer. Does he now prefer full back to wing?

Saint,

Think most were saying that in the AIs though Cuthbert had the better series, North scored for Saints yesterday maybe their style his suiting him more.  Think we have both said that maybe someone like Li Williams, Walker or Amos should get a decent run.

Cuthbert did, but he was by no means good. He's picking up where he left off for Cardiff as well by the looks. North was as we say on here 'urine poor' - great contrast to his Saints form. He only looked decent at centre if I'm honest.

BF - tbh I'm liking the look of Dirksen, more than Walker. But I'd like to see both get their chance, a long with more opportunity for Amos on Prydie. They might not be as big but they got what it takes.

North was poor for Northampton yesterday, out of position in defence a number of times, he was developing well at the Scarlets, but seems to have lost his way now. Dirksen is way off a Wales start, he is behind Walker and Hassler, probably the fijian as well, at the Ospreys and was caught from behind by a past it kiwi centre on saturday.....way too slow for test level where the game is so much quicker.

Seagul, if Dirksen had been given that opportunity when he first came to us, he would have scored with ease, he has had 2 knee operations when the first wasn't successful, as far as our pecking order is concerned he is in front of Natoga, also when he initially joined us he was a centre, because of his poor passing skills when playing for Swansea he was played on the wing, he has actually turned out at centre a couple of times this season and made some exciting line breaks, so hopefully his career has turned full circle.  

He has all the atributes for outside centre apart from the fact that he has feet for hands, he has never had real pace but if the coaches can teach him how to give and take a pass, he will make a very good 13. I suspect that the Ospreys are pretty happy with him at present, he is a reliable wing and likely to be available for the whole season.

As for North he is scoring for Northampton but not Wales, but when he was at the Scarlets, he was scoring for them and Wales. My biggest concern is that he has all they atributes to be a world star but since being at Northampton his game is not developing.

I don't think we have seen a single Welsh player go to English clubs and improve. Most stagnate. I thought North might buck that trend, I still hope he will.

That said I am not sure the French league does anything positive other than to line the players/agents bank accounts.

Foreign clubs are trying to buy a finished article to save risking money on youth players, they are not looking to develop players they buy in in the same nurturing way the regions of Wales or provinces of Ireland do.

In all honesty before North not many of our big names have gone directly to English clubs, Peel, Taylor and James are the only ones I can think of. Peel should have still played for Wales while at Sale certainly didn't stagnate or go backwards, Taylor was coming to end of his carear and James has had very good season Bath.

The others have gone to French clubs and between them we have seen varying degrees of success.

A single Welsh player? Wow.