Ospreys 16/17 season thread

[wayne]

First topic message reminder :

Rugby Management and Squad for 16/17
Head Coach Steve Tandy
Backs Gruff Rees
Forwards Chris Gibbes
Defence Brad Davis
Backs.
Dan Evans 3,     Jeff Hassler 2,     Dafydd Howells 2,     Ashley Beck 2,     Owen Watkin 3,     Kieron Fonotia 2,    Ben John 2,     Tom Habberfield 3,     Rhys Webb NDC 3?,     Dan Biggar NDC 3,     Eli Walker 1,     Josh Matavesi 2,     Tom Grabham 1,      Brendon Leonard 2,     Sam Davies 1,      Hanno Dirksen 1, Keelan Giles 3   
Forwards.
Olly Cracknell 2,     Lloyd Ashley3,     Bradley Davies NDC 3,      Joe Bearman 1,     Gareth Thomas 3,     Hugh Gustafson 2,     Adam Beard 3,     Scott Otten 3,     AWJ NDC 3,     Dan Baker NDC 3,     Rory Thornton NDC 3,     Scott Baldwin NDC 3,     James King NDC 2,     Ma'afu Fia 2,     Nicky Smith 3,     Dmitri Arhip 2,     Justin Tipuric 4,     Sam Parry 2,     Tyler Ardron 1,     Paul James 2,     Dan Suter 1,    Rhodri Jones 2, and Sam Underhill 2 but on permit from Bridgend RFC.
Fixture list for 16/17    
2/9   Zebre                                         H                        Guinness                   W 59-5
10/9 Connacht                                    A                        Guinness                   W 32-11
17/9 Treviso                                       H                         Guinness                   W 64-10
23/9 Leinster                                      A                         Guinness                   L  19-31  
1/10 Ulster                                        A                          Guinness                   L  7-9
7/10 Blues                                         H                          Guinness                   W  46-24
15/10 London I                                   H                           BIC                          L  14-25
14/10 Newcastle Falcons                      H                          RCC2                       W  45-0
23/10 Cornish Pirates                          A                           BIC                          L  5-41
22/10 Lyon Olympique                          A                          RCC2                       W  31-13
29/10 NGD                                        H                            W                          W   35-15    
4/11 Munster                                    A                           Guinness                   L   0-33
11/11 Harlequins                               H                            AWC                         L   12-15
18/11 Blues                                      A                           AWC                         W  31-7
25/12 Glasgow Warriors                      H                           Guinness                    W  22-5  
2/12 Edinburgh                                  H                          Guinness                    W  31-22
9/12 Grenoble                                    H                          RCC                          W  59-7
10/12 Connacht Eagles                        A                          BIC                           W  20-17
17/12 Grenoble                                  A                          RCC                           W 71-3                                 
18/12 Connacht Eagles                       H                           BIC                            W 55-14
27/12 Scarlets                                   H                          Guinness                    W  19-9
1/1 NGD                                           A                           Guinness                    W  10-0
7/1 Connacht                                     H                           Guinness                    W  29-7
14/1  Cornish Pirates                          H                            BIC                           L  10-34
15/1 Lyon                                         H                           RCC                           W 47-7
21/1 Newcastle Falcons                       A                          RCC                           W  26-21  
21/1 London I                                   A                            BIC                            W 26-24
28/1 Bristol                                      H                            AWC                          W  20-14
5/2 Wasps                                        A                           AWC                          W  31-22
10/2 Zebre                                       A                           Guinness                     W  40-10
18/2 Munster                                    H                           Guinness                     L  23-25
26/2 Glasgow W                                H                            Guinness                     W  26-15
3/3 Edinburgh                                   A                            Guinness                     W  13-9
25/3 Treviso                                     A                            Guinness                     L  5-13
2/4  St. Francais                               H P/S                       RCC Q/F                     L  18-20  
8/4 Leinster                                      H                            Guinness                     L  18-20
15/4 Blues                                        A                            Guinness                     L  17-35  
29/4 Ulster                                       H                            Guinness                     W  24-10
6/5 Scarlets                                     A                            Guinness                      L  17-40
20/5 Munster                                    A                            Guinness S/F
Will add RCC2 matches when they've been finalised.
Contrary to popular belief some of the Guinness League games will be affected by the Autumn Internationals, our players will be with TW when we play the Dragons, Munster and Glasgow Warriors, the first 2 because of the 13 day call up period and the Warriors because of the infernal 4th game which this year is against SA, and to think some people think everything is hunkydory now that Dodger Lewis has left his legacy rolls on.               
The number after each player signifies how many years they have left on their Ospreys contract, there are a few others who are on either Development Contracts or appear not to be under contract, Jonathon Spratt, Jordan Collier, and Alex Jeffries and a few others come into that category.
Our first 5 games of the season account for the 2 Italians at home and 3 Irish, Connacht, Ulster and Leinster away, so we shouldn't have as bad a start as last season, but not as good as the previous seasons start, in certain positions especially during International periods we are only 1 or 2 injuries away from disaster, and I just hope Steve has learned his selection mistakes from the last few seasons.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I think it depends if enough of your squad is good enough. I think behind the scrum at least, we've got a lot of good options for the first time in a while, but so many of them are still young and I think some continuity would help.

[wayne]

LP, this is what I anticipate will be close to our squad for this weekend if we get none of TWs players back.

Dan Evans, Dafydd Howells, Ben John, Ashley Beck, Eli Walker, Josh Matavesi, Tom Habberfield, Paul James, Sam Parry, Dmitri Arhip, Lloyd Ashley, Adam Beard, ????, Olly Cracknell and Joe Bearman, with Gareth Thomas, Hugh Gustafson/Scott Otten, Ma'afu Fia, ????, ????, Brendon Leonard, Luke Price and Tom Grabham.

You can see from that how depleted we are in the 2nd and back rows both in the team and on the bench, not even sure how fit either of our centres are. Why don't you have a go putting up your team with and without TW players that you hope for and what you think Kingsley will put out.
I also missed out Rob McCusker he did fairly well when he came on on Saturday so could be him at 8 not Joe Bearman, and the talk is Sam Underhill is not far off, could make the bench

[Luckless Pedestrian]

We'd only be missing Hallam Amos and Tyler Morgan - Harrison Keddie hasn't featured much anyway. Guessing what team Kingsley's going to select is almost impossible though.

I'll have a go in a bit.

[wayne]

We'd only be missing Hallam Amos and Tyler Morgan - Harrison Keddie hasn't featured much anyway. Guessing what team Kingsley's going to select is almost impossible though.

I'll have a go in a bit.

Good Lad

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Carl Meyer; Ashton Hewitt, Sam Beard, Jack Dixon, Pat Howard; Nick Macleod, Charlie Davies; Sam Hobbs, Rhys Buckley, Brok Harris; Cory Hill, Rynard Landman; Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Ed Jackson.

This is assuming Hallam Amos is kept on by Team Wales. Tyler Morgan's been poor so wouldn't be in my team.

I can't be @rsed to do the bench. It would be a big boost if Ollie Griffiths is back, but I'm not sure if he will be.

[wayne]

If it is true, I think there is good news for us (Ospreys) that all the English based players are being released for the Australia match, I should think Sam Davies, Rory Thornton and a couple of the back rowers King and Baker will all come back, and wouldn't be surprised if Lydiate and Baldwin will as well because of lack of game time, should think Tyler Morgan could well do for the Dragons.

[munkian]

If Tyler has been poor then surely he needs more game time ?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Not if we want to win.

[RiscaGame]

I would start Warren and Beard in the centre personally.

[True Raven]

So Sam Davies hasn't been released back to the Ospreys. Anyone on here fancing playing flyhalf cos were short of decent options

[RiscaGame]

Could be interesting if Macleod isn't fully fit and we have to play GR Jones v whoever you manage to put out. Angus is ill and no Charlie Davies either.

[wayne]

Could be interesting if Macleod isn't fully fit and we have to play GR Jones v whoever you manage to put out. Angus is ill and no Charlie Davies either.

Risca, we also won't have a regular 10, probably Matavesi if Beck and John are fit, if either is missing Luke Price will be 10, don't know much about him but True Raven doesn't like him, the only change to the team I posted earlier this week is I can see is that Lydiate will come in, unless the Howler forces us to play Baldwin.
Oh and perhaps Giles will play on the wing

[Cardiff Dave]

What a load of B0llocks the above post was, thanks Fail and Twitter.

Anyway back to more important matters, this weekend is the 2nd Welsh Derby we play the Dragons on Saturday afternoon (now that is a novelty) following the Blues and Scarlets on Friday evening.

Looking forward to the WRU announcement of what players will be released back to us for this game, because as of this moment we will have 13 players missing for this game.

On a lighter note my brother in laws grandson is the Team mascot for this game, thanks to the help of Breadvan on this board, it has been organised close to his 8th birthday, hope for a great day out, but if none of the 13 are released it could all fall flat.  

Just like olden days when TFW XV was; 13 Os, a Llanelli Scarlet and Cardiff Nugget.

[maestegmafia]

Dan Evans has played flyhalf a number of times at regional level.

[munkian]

Dan Evans has played flyhalf a number of times at regional level.

So has Sam Norton Knight...

[mikey_dragon]

Surely it will be Matavesi or Evans at 10 though.

[True Raven]

Doubt it would be Dan Evans as we have no cover at full back

[mikey_dragon]

Howells?

[maestegmafia]

Howells looked very good at fullback for the U20s

[bedfordwelsh]

Hook will be back there for you soon enough so all will be fine

[wayne]

Ospreys team to play the Newport Gwent Dragons tomorrow afternoon
Dan Evans
Keelan Giles
Ben John
Ashley Beck
Eli Walker
Josh Matavesi
Tom Habberfield (c)
Paul James
Scott Baldwin
Dmitri Arhip,
Lloyd Ashley
Adam Beard
Dan Lydiate
Olly Cracknell
Joe Bearman
with Sam Parry, Gareth Thomas, Ma'afu Fia, Rob McCusker, Scott Otten, Brendon Leonard, Jonathan Spratt and Dafydd Howells on the bench, taking a chance with Scott Otten as backrow cover, (why o why couldn't we have had King or Baker back with us)

[wayne]

What a really sour start to today, our new signing Kieron Fonotia while playing for Tasman Hawks in their ITM Final against Canterbury, while setting up a score that put the Hawks into the lead in around the 20th minute injured his ankle, the Hawks kept him on the field until he had to hobble off 3 minutes into the 2nd half, and he really looked in pain, we really seem to have a jinx as far as injuries are concerned to our centres this season.
Perhaps the only consolation is that he received this injury in NZ, so all insurance payments should have to be covered on the other side of the world.

[maestegmafia]

Very sad news but made a little lighter by the result yesterday afternoon ..

Great performance by Matevesi yet again but this time at ten...!

Thought Baldwin looked back to his best too.

Shame Ian Gough didn't make it to watch the game though.


http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/bbc-radio-pundit-former-wales-12097915

[True Raven]

Anybody else really liking the look of Gareth Thomas? With N Smith with Wales, Gareth should get plenty of game time to aid his development but I'm liking what I see so far

[maestegmafia]

I agree he looks handy...! As does Wyn Jones at Scarlets

[wayne]

Anybody else really liking the look of Gareth Thomas?  With N Smith with Wales, Gareth should get plenty of game time to aid his development but I'm liking what I see so far

TR, last seasons injuries and WC callups have been used very well in blooding some of our youngsters, the likes of Gareth, Olly, the Sam's Davies and Underhill came on very strongly, it only augurs very well for our strength in depth.

[maestegmafia]

Anybody else really liking the look of Gareth Thomas?  With N Smith with Wales, Gareth should get plenty of game time to aid his development but I'm liking what I see so far

TR, last seasons injuries and WC callups have been used very well in blooding some of our youngsters, the likes of Gareth, Olly, the Sam's Davies and Underhill came on very strongly, it only augurs very well for our strength in depth.

Aye

It's getting better all the time.

Though we need an Adam jones-esq prodigy asap

[wayne]

Anybody else really liking the look of Gareth Thomas?  With N Smith with Wales, Gareth should get plenty of game time to aid his development but I'm liking what I see so far

TR, last seasons injuries and WC callups have been used very well in blooding some of our youngsters, the likes of Gareth, Olly, the Sam's Davies and Underhill came on very strongly, it only augurs very well for our strength in depth.

Aye

It's getting better all the time.

Though we need an Adam jones-esq prodigy asap

Yes it would be nice if we could get a local boy, but as Ma'afu is a time server, with what under 2 years before he becomes Welsh qualified.
What we could really do with Maes, is an expert scrummaging coach, who is as good as Brad Davis has been as a defence coach, there are articles in the NZ press that had him handling Tony Woodcock easily before he came here, I know the scrummaging laws have changed in the recent past, but if the fundamentals are still in place with Ma'afu that could be the better option, because in open play I find him exceptional.

[True Raven]

Apparently young Alex Jeffries was good for Newport before we took him. This is all based on second hand info mind you

[wayne]

Apparently young Alex Jeffries was good for Newport before we took him.  This is all based on second hand info mind you

Nah TR, he only played about 30 times for Newport RFC and he was deemed not good enough for the Dragons, so he can't be good enough for us

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Thought Baldwin looked back to his best too.

Really?

[mikey_dragon]

He had a good game but wouldn't go that far. I'm not sure I remember him at 'his best' whatever that is. Parry should also be in that Wales squad, ahead of Owens or Dacey.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I don't think his best was ever that great - but he looked quite ordinary to me on the weekend.

[mikey_dragon]

There hasn't really been a standout performer in that position for a while. We need to blood some new people, I'm thinking guys like Dacey, Dee and even Rhys Buckley. I always thought Phillips was a better starter than Owens too.

[munkian]

If Dee stays fit he'll get a chance, he should be back playing next week against Craggy Island.

[wayne]

From their starting team against Ulster, Munster will be without John Ryan, Donnacha Ryan and Billy Holland for their match against us on Friday.

I seriously doubt if Howley will let us have anybody back, especially now that the Team Wales announcement has been put back until Thursday,
going by todays Press Conference he is waiting because of Liam Williams's injury. Why not name the rest of the team tomorrow as planned with AN Other in Liam's 2 possible positions. He doesn't HAVE to under World Rugby's rules name the team until Thursday, but the tendency the last few years has been to name the team on the Tuesday, he is totally unlike Joe Schmidt who goes out of his way to help the Provinces.

[wayne]

After the Daimitri debacle and Howley, not allowing any Ospreys players from the Welsh squad to play this weekend. The only player that has been based with TW and is now back with us is young Keelan Giles.

I'm hoping for something like the following team being named tomorrow for Fridays game against Munster.
15 Dan Evans, 14 Keelan Giles, 13 Ben John, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Josh Matavesi, 9 Tom Habberfield, 1 Paul James, 2 Sam Parry, 3 Daimitri Arhip, 4 Lloyd Ashley 5 Adam Beard 6 Joe Bearman, 7 Olly Cracknell 8 Rob McCusker with Scott Otten, Gareth Thomas, Ma'afu Fia, James Ratti, Sam Underhill, Brendon Leonard, Jonathan Spratt and Dafydd Howells on the bench.

Sam Underhill has been seen yet again in training, this is about the 4th week in a row, he should be very close to making an appearance, we really could do with him at this time. James Ratti is a very young 2nd row and about the only player on our books that could cover for this game, but it is not an ideal scenario at this time.

Could this be the straw that broke the Camels back as far as we are concerned, a very tough game with at the best a very inexperienced back 3 in the pack, and really not a very experienced team overall. We could take a real drubbing here.

[True Raven]

Surely by now he knows his team for Saturday and I highly doubt it includes Biggar, Anscombe and Davies. One of them should have got released for game time and to help the regions

[No9]

Surely by now he knows his team for Saturday and I highly doubt it includes Biggar, Anscombe and Davies.  One of them should have got released for game time and to help the regions

Don't be too sure...

....

because of Liam Williams's injury.

..........    

99.9999% Biggar will start at 10, with either Anscombe (probable) on the bench, and no place for Sam. HOWEVER, is Liam doesn't pull through, then I can see Anscombe OR Sam making the starting 15 with the other on the bench, as they can both cover 15 as well as 10, where Halfpenny can cover 15 and Wing, North wing and centre (done it before - whether successful is up to debate)..

So why haven't they been released, because until he knows if Liam can take off the protective boot and put his togs on, Howley needs to cover the permutations..

[LordDowlais]

Does anybody know if Ireland are releasing any players back to their provinces ?

[True Raven]

The Welsh selection p!ssed me off and the O's selection just baffles me. Two tighthead props and two hookers on the bench and no second row or back row cover??????

[wayne]

The Welsh selection p!ssed me off and the O's selection just baffles me.  Two tighthead props and two hookers on the bench and no second row or back row cover??????

TR, either if you have a programme for any of this seasons matches, or look at the squad I've named in the OP, and have a look at any backrow or 2nd row alternatives available. There are none. Scott Otten has appeared on the bench as a backrow option for definitely 2 possibly 3 games this season, including last weekend.
How tall is Rhodri? could he be about 6'3" and used as a ballast 2nd row. I don't know, why couldn't Rory be sent back by TW this morning?
We'll be lucky to come back with nought from this match.
Edit to find that Rhodri is indeed 6'3" or 191cm

[mikey_dragon]

Rory had a back spasm apparently. Only reason why Hill is on the bench.

[True Raven]

We can look to the premiership and the feeder clubs.

For example Jon Kenny who is 22 plays in the 2nd row for Bridgend and has played in this years premiership select XV. Why not give him the bench spot as surely a 2nd row specialist is better than a failed tighthead covering second row.

Its just baffling

[wayne]

Rory had a back spasm apparently. Only reason why Hill is on the bench.

Yes Mikey, I only just read it, I came back from the POW, after an eye operation this morning, and read the team before reading the whole article. Thanks for the info.

[wayne]

We can look to the premiership and the feeder clubs.

For example Jon Kenny who is 22 plays in the 2nd row for Bridgend and has played in this years premiership select XV.  Why not give him the bench spot as surely a 2nd row specialist is better than a failed tighthead covering second row.

Its just baffling

TR, I like your insistence on pushing Bridgend RFC personnel forward, but one thing you can't fault Rhodri on is his mobility and ball carrying attributes. How often do we use Lloyd Ashley or even BBBD as a lineout option? very rarely. I said it's not ideal, but at least he's NOT covering the tighthead, now that would be a disaster.

[True Raven]

We produce quality rugby players down here Wayne, just ask Webb

[wayne]

We produce quality rugby players down here Wayne, just ask Webb

Oh I know that TR, I was a Bridgend RFC supporter probably before you were a twinkle in your old mans eye

[wayne]

Could this be the straw that broke the Camels back as far as we are concerned, a very tough game with at the best a very inexperienced back 3 in the pack, and really not a very experienced team overall. We could take a real drubbing here.[/quote]

Well that proved to be exactly correct, a total and absolute thrashing, some senior players need to take a long hard look in the mirror.
Well done Munster, although you didn't have to be very good to send us back home with our tails between our legs.

[Cardiff Dave]

The Welsh selection p!ssed me off and the O's selection just baffles me.  Two tighthead props and two hookers on the bench and no second row or back row cover??????

TR, either if you have a programme for any of this seasons matches, or look at the squad I've named in the OP, and have a look at any backrow or 2nd row alternatives available. There are none. Scott Otten has appeared on the bench as a backrow option for definitely 2 possibly 3 games this season, including last weekend.
How tall is Rhodri? could he be about 6'3" and used as a ballast 2nd row. I don't know, why couldn't Rory be sent back by TW this morning?
We'll be lucky to come back with nought from this match.
Edit to find that Rhodri is indeed 6'3" or 191cm

Good guess.

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