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.

[Guest]

Yeah, I'm with you there. Didn't realize that Moss was in England at the time. Probably didn't read the article properly, but I read it more like he was tapped up while in college in Wellington. I think it's the distance thing maybe for me, and as you say uprooting a young lad from the other side of the world seems a bit wrong. But just playing over the border then that seems a bit better to me. I thinking more of the Jason Jones Hughes type situation which I didn't really like (although he wasn't that young if memory serves).

[True Raven]

When I read Wellington , I assumed New Zealand but theres a Wellington School in Berkshire that a good rugby school apparantly (something like Millfield)

[Guest]

When I read Wellington , I assumed New Zealand but theres a Wellington School in Berkshire that a good rugby school apparantly (something like Millfield)

Doh!!!  If true, that would be embarrassing for me!

Edit: yes, the article mentions Berkshire later on.

[wayne]

Is Ardron back???  Great news with Munster coming up

I'd like to see a few kids get gametime such as Charlie Davies at 6 and I like the look of Reuben Morgan Williams at 9 too but Webb has thirt shirt already sown on

Yeh they mentioned about Tyler in one of this weeks interviews, and he was running around in the match preview, so I expect him in the 23 somewhere. Who is this Charlie Davies TR does he play for Bridgend ? As for RMW, I think Aubrey deserves a chance first, RMW is an excellent prospect he has plenty of time yet.

[True Raven]

No he plays for Swansea (I think) but plays 6/8.

He signed a development contract last season alongside Will and Phil Jones but is a year younger.

He has played for the PS team this season

[maestegmafia]

We play Stade Sunday the 2nd of April at 1745.

What a ridiculous time for a rugby match.

That is going to seriously hamper our chances of getting a big crowd.

[wayne]

No he plays for Swansea (I think) but plays 6/8.

He signed a development contract last season alongside Will and Phil Jones but is a year younger.

He has played for the PS team this season

Cheers TR

Ospreys team a good blend of experience and youth
D Howells, J Baker, J Thomas, J Spratt, B John, L Price, R Webb (c), G Thomas, S Otten, R Jones, A Beard, J Ratti, J Bearman, S Underhill, R McCusker, with I Phillips, R Jenkins, D Suter, T Ardron, W Jones, M Aubrey P Jones and T O'Flaherty on the bench

[wayne]

We play Stade Sunday the 2nd of April at 1745.

What a ridiculous time for a rugby match.

That is going to seriously hamper our chances of getting a big crowd.

Yes totally agree, although I don't know if that is definite Maes, as the Swans have a game scheduled for the Tuesday and under the Stadium protocols there has to be 72 hours between one of their matches and ours, unless there has been a different agreement reached.

[RiscaGame]

They have a game on the Saturday too, don't they? It's going to have to be the Liberty though. I would've gone to support a Welsh region, but the day is a nightmare (particularly with having to drive back to base that night too).

[wayne]

They have a game on the Saturday too, don't they? It's going to have to be the Liberty though. I would've gone to support a Welsh region, but the day is a nightmare (particularly with having to drive back to base that night too).

Yes you are quite correct, we thought we would have had to play on the Thursday, and the Swans on the Sunday and Tuesday, so something different has been negotiated, but what a terrible time.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

That's appalling scheduling. TV rules all.

[wayne]

We play Stade Sunday the 2nd of April at 1745.

What a ridiculous time for a rugby match.

That is going to seriously hamper our chances of getting a big crowd.

Yes totally agree, although I don't know if that is definite Maes, as the Swans have a game scheduled for the Tuesday and under the Stadium protocols there has to be 72 hours between one of their matches and ours, unless there has been a different agreement been reached.

Maes, there is more news on this debacle, there is NO venue set for this match, it could be St. Helens or even the PysPot, ALL down to where the Swans Boro game is going to be played on the Tuesday. According to the Moderator on our Forum who is an Osprey employee, EPRC were told of the contractual obligations of the Stadium and the upcoming fixtures when the matches panned out, and they have now come out with this conundrum.

Totally ridiculous

[Guest]

To quote numerous posters, can't you take the game 'around the reejun'?!

I read the other day that Dragons have a clash too. County and Dragons are both scheduled to play their last game of the season on 6th May at RP. When it's last game of the season they ALL games have to start and finish at the same time (in the respective leagues) so they can't have one on the Fri or Sunday and one on the Sat. As County have primacy of tenure due to FA rules, I guess the Dragons will have to play elsewhere. 'Around the reejun' then I guess! Ebbw, can we borrow your ground please?!

[True Raven]

According to Wales Online, no other stadium in the region has a capacity large enough to satisfy the bigiwgs in charge

[maestegmafia]

Well on the plus side the team for tomorrow looks good. Tyler Ardon on the bench is good news

15 Dafydd Howells

14 Jay Baker

13 Joe Thomas

12 Jonathan Spratt

11 Ben John

10 Luke Price

9 Rhys Webb (Captain)



1 Gareth Thomas

2 Scott Otten

3 Rhodri Jones

4 James Ratti

5 Adam Beard

6 Joe Bearman

7 Sam Underhill

8 Rob McCusker



REPLACEMENTS

16 Ifan Phillips

17 Rowan Jenkins

18 Daniel Suter

19 Tyler Ardron

20 Will Jones

21 Matthew Aubrey

22 Phil Jones

23 Tom O’Flaherty

[True Raven]

Confirmed there are no minimum requirements for capacity in QF, so if game cannot be held at liberty (which I hope it is) looks like it could be staged in Bridgend which would suit me few pints in the pheasant in pen-y-fai and then walk to the game

[RiscaGame]

Wonder how ticket sales have gone? How big is the Brewery Field? Right on the train line too.

[wayne]

Have to say what an enjoyable game to watch, which was considerably helped by boisterous Bristolians, who at the finish clapped the Home supporters, what a credit to their Team.
To the match, they very nearly strangled us out of this game, we had an absolutely fantastic start which resulted in a Dafydd Howells try in the first minute, there were so many fine performances from young Ospreys it augurs well for our and their future, some bone shuddering tackles from the like of Otten (MOTM) Baker (Premiership player of the Season last year) slammed Varndell back on a couple of occasions (Eli Walker could learn a lot from this boy) and I think Joe Thomas is going to be very special. The battle for the centre positions in our team for the next 3 or 4 seasons is going to be very exciting with Fonotia, Matavesi, Beck, Watkin, and Thomas even the likes of John and Spratt can do a job at certain levels.
I thought the youngster in the 2nd row Ratti was a little overawed, but then again he has only just joined the ranks of the U20s this season, his time could well come again, that is the joy of this competition.
Now the bad parts Rhodri Jones was again terrible and his prop partner Gareth Thomas's scrum limitations were also brutally exposed, the scrum improved when the youngster Rowan Jenkins came on for Thomas and it was drastically improved when Dan Suter replaced Jones, as it was last week when the tight head was changed in the Falcons match, this experiment has to stop RIGHT NOW. He is a loose head and that is it.

[wayne]

Confirmed there are no minimum requirements for capacity in QF, so if game cannot be held at liberty (which I hope it is) looks like it could be staged in Bridgend which would suit me few pints in the pheasant in pen-y-fai and then walk to the game

What? That Dive, why not go to a decent pub like the Coity Castle in the town

[True Raven]

Wales Online linking us with Cory Allen. Hope that isn't the case as he is a worse passer than JD2.

Much rather we gave gametime to Owen Watkin who has a higher ceiling than Cory Allen

[wayne]

[quote="True Raven"]Wales Online linking us with Cory Allen. Hope that isn't the case as he is a worse passer than JD2.  

Much rather we gave gametime to Owen Watkin who has a higher ceiling than Cory Allen[/quote ]

TR, I don't know if you've heard the rumours but there is talk that Josh might be off, there was talk on the forum that Josh was unhappy a couple of weeks ago when he was left out of the starting 15 for a particular match, the thing is Josh is primarily a 12, Beck can also play there as well as 13, but Fonotia, Watkin and if they fetch in Allen he is also primarily a 13, Joe Thomas is also a 13 and a winger. Ben John the same and a level below them Spratt is good for playing with an emerging youngster in the Anglo Welsh and B&I competitions in the 12 position.
At the top level it would be a tad lopsided, unless the idea to try and get Dan Biggar to the 12 position. Forgot about James Hook as well, so do we really NEED Allen, I don't think so.

I think the money being used on Allen would be better spent on a tight head, and if it could be done a Welsh one.

[LordDowlais]

I think the money being used on Allen would be better spent on a tight head, and if it could be done a Welsh one.

Tomas Francis ?

[wayne]

I think the money being used on Allen would be better spent on a tight head, and if it could be done a Welsh one.

Tomas Francis ?

I don't think so Lord, I believe Ma'afu Fia becomes WQ, next year, so there is a possibility that there would be another 2 players taken out of our squad.
I'd prefer somebody just a little further under the radar.

[wayne]

After last weekends excellent win over a team with around a dozen of their first choice team, we prepare a team with returning to GL action next weekend in sight, a mix of youngsters and experience making up our team for our visit to the Ricoh on Sunday.

D Howells, J Baker, J Thomas, J Spratt, T O'Flaherty, L Price, M Aubrey, R Jenkins, S Otten, R Jones, J Ratti, A Beard, T Ardron, J Bearman, and R McCusker (C) with H Gustafson, G Thomas, D Suter, L Ashley, J Tomalin Reeves, D Baker, K Fonotia and H Dirksen on the bench.

6-2 split on the bench with no normal scrum half there that could be a significant mistake, but no more a mistake than the selection in the 3 shirt, are we never going to learn from this mistake.

[wayne]

Congratulations to both Joe Bearman and Jonathan Spratt who will both be making their 100th appearance for the Ospreys on Sunday.

Now that I have a bit more time available, this is a bit of a weird selection there is no half back replacement on the bench, or elsewhere in the selected team, and that back row must be the slowest ever to have represented the Ospreys, there is only the Premiership player Joe Tomalin-Reeves on the bench that has consistently played in the traditional openside position and not at this level.

I really hope Jay Baker has another strong game this week, after the way he handled Tom Varndell last week, I'm hoping he can make it into the first team next weekend against Zebre.

[True Raven]

Watching the under 20s and will jones is having a great game. Makes the loss of Underhill more bearable knowing he's waiting in the wings

[wayne]

Watching the under 20s and will jones is having a great game.  Makes the loss of Underhill more bearable knowing he's waiting in the wings

Yes very impressive TR and Kieron Williams. Things are looking good for our future.

[wayne]

Excellent result took Wasps home record, they even had a number of first team regulars starting and on the bench, we took a try BP at the death, (that's how to do it Wales) it proved not enough to qualify for the SF, but still well done to that Development Team.

[True Raven]

Biggar has been linked to Northampton.

Fed up of these Aviva clubs waving large amounts of cash at our players already in contract. Glad to see the WRU are going to turn down any request from that club.

North's career has stalled there, would hate to see Biggar's do the same

[wayne]

Biggar has been linked to Northampton.  

Fed up of these Aviva clubs waving large amounts of cash at our players already in contract.  Glad to see the WRU are going to turn down any request from that club.

North's career has stalled there, would hate to see Biggar's do the same

TR, I'll PM you about this situation.

[maestegmafia]

Biggar has been linked to Northampton.  

Fed up of these Aviva clubs waving large amounts of cash at our players already in contract.  Glad to see the WRU are going to turn down any request from that club.

North's career has stalled there, would hate to see Biggar's do the same

TR, I'll PM you about this situation.

C'mon spill the beans...!

[PhilBB]

Biggar has been linked to Northampton.  

Fed up of these Aviva clubs waving large amounts of cash at our players already in contract.  Glad to see the WRU are going to turn down any request from that club.

North's career has stalled there, would hate to see Biggar's do the same

TR, I'll PM you about this situation.

C'mon spill the beans...!

Biggar wants to go but the WRU said no.

It's that simple. Rumours abound that Davies has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave this summer if Biggar doesn't.

Anscombe to Northampton, Davies to Cardiff.

[Scottrf]

Anscombe to Northampton

Has there actually been any movement on that?

[True Raven]

Biggar has been linked to Northampton.  

Fed up of these Aviva clubs waving large amounts of cash at our players already in contract.  Glad to see the WRU are going to turn down any request from that club.

North's career has stalled there, would hate to see Biggar's do the same

TR, I'll PM you about this situation.

C'mon spill the beans...!

Biggar wants to go but the WRU said no.

It's that simple. Rumours abound that Davies has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave this summer if Biggar doesn't.

Anscombe to Northampton, Davies to Cardiff.

Would be a big step backwards though for him.

[PhilBB]

Anscombe to Northampton

Has there actually been any movement on that?

Pass.

I'm just passing on the rumours.

[PhilBB]

Would be a big step backwards though for him.

Sure, but we're not all lucky enough to get a free million quid off the Union, but we do our best.

[wayne]

Bit too late by the WRU, to help us with squad releases for our game against Zebre, can understand that no backs are being released due to the Biggar and North injuries, they normally hold onto the 23 squad and then a back and a forward for unfortunate late injuries, would have been nice to have had especially Thornton and Cracknell back, probably Rhodri Jones is already back, we could have done without him.

It appears Luke Price will be our starting 10 on Friday, he has acquitted himself very well in the B&I and the Anglo Welsh, he had a 100% kicking record against Wasps, including one from the touchline on the right hand side of the field, the wrong side for a right footed kicker. Matavesi might be on the bench, as he's still recovering from his last game injury.

[True Raven]

Team to play Zebre tomorrow night

1 Paul James,2 Sam Parry,3 Rhodri Jones,4 Adam Beard,5 Lloyd Ashley,6 Tyler Ardron,7 Sam Underhill,8 Dan Baker,9 Tom Habberfield (Capt),10 Luke Price,11 Dafydd Howells,12 Ashley Beck,13 Kieron Fonotia,14 Ben John,15 Dan Evans

REPLACEMENTS

16 Hugh Gustafson,17 Gareth Thomas,18 Daniel Suter,19 Rory Thornton,20 Olly Cracknell,21 Matthew Aubrey,22 Hanno Dirksen,23 Jonathan Spratt

[True Raven]

Bad news is Fia is due to return end of March/Early April which means Rhodri Jones will play against Munster and Glasgow too

[maestegmafia]

That's still a reasonably strong side considering The absentees

[wayne]

That's still a reasonably strong side considering The absentees

Maes from our website there are 14 missing either with Wales Senior, Wales U20s and the 7s squad, with another 14 out injured, that is a truly remarkable Squad we are taking out to Italy for this game, and the only downside is our front row either with the starting tight head or bench loose head. A good thing is that Zebre are missing a load as well. I'm hoping for 5 points, but wouldn't be surprised if we got nought. According to the Pro 12 webpage their 2 starting props are Argentinians, it could be very fortunate we have Assey starting. I hope he makes up for Rhodri's deficiencies.

[maestegmafia]

It's an admirable squad.

I saw the highlights on ITV on Monday, looked like they played well in a close game.

[wayne]

It's an admirable squad.

I saw the highlights on ITV on Monday, looked like they played well in a close game.

Excellent back handed pass from Howells to put Jay Baker in Maes

[maestegmafia]

It's an admirable squad.

I saw the highlights on ITV on Monday, looked like they played well in a close game.

Excellent back handed pass from Howells to put Jay Baker in Maes

Aye very slick

[True Raven]

Read an article from Gruff Rees saying that hes been impressed by Luke Price, Joe Thomas and Jay Baker during the LV and PS teams. He says Luke Price gets an opportunity for his Pro12 debut now with Joe and Jay not far off making theirs.

[wayne]

Read an article from Gruff Rees saying that hes been impressed by Luke Price, Joe Thomas and Jay Baker during the LV and PS teams.  He says Luke Price gets an opportunity for his Pro12 debut now with Joe and Jay not far off making theirs.

TR, the problem for me is this game would have been the ideal opportunity to play at least Baker, do we fetch him in against Munster or Glasgow at home or Edinburgh away and do you break up the Matavesi, Beck and Fonotia triumvirate for any of those matches. My answer to both would be NO, they will probably go back to playing in the Premiership, if and when they are tried the jump could be too high. This game was ideal IMO.

[maestegmafia]

Futures looking good. Still have Owen Watkin to come back too

[True Raven]

The O's have a raft of young teenage centres who have been playing age grade rugby under 16's and 18's with Wales such as Kieron Williams, Ben Cambriani, Callum Carson and Tiann Thomas-Wheeler. Hope some of these make the grade with Watkin and JT to turn a position of weakness historically into one of strength

[maestegmafia]

The O's have a raft of young teenage centres who have been playing age grade rugby under 16's and 18's with Wales such as Kieron Williams, Ben Cambriani, Callum Carson and Tiann Thomas-Wheeler.  Hope some of these make the grade with Watkin and JT to turn a position of weakness historically into one of strength

May have been a position of weakness last year but the Ospreys have had some fine centres in their brief history let alone their catchment area over the years.

[True Raven]

The O's have a raft of young teenage centres who have been playing age grade rugby under 16's and 18's with Wales such as Kieron Williams, Ben Cambriani, Callum Carson and Tiann Thomas-Wheeler.  Hope some of these make the grade with Watkin and JT to turn a position of weakness historically into one of strength

May have been a position of weakness last year but the Ospreys have had some fine centres in their brief history let alone their catchment area over the years.

Not homegrown centres though?!?

Henson, Bishop to a lesser extent

Parker was good but came via Celtic Warriors

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