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.

[exile jack]

Increase in average attendance for Guinness League matches for the 3rd successive season
10/11  8105
11/12  7686
12/13  9273
13/14  7935
14/15  8398
15/16  8605
16/17  9026

In a way these figures are more impressive than they appear, from 14/15 IIRC entry to the Liberty Stadium is controlled by Season Ticket Bar Code and the same on Individual Tickets Sold Bar Code, previous to them years the figures were Season Tickets Sold + Match Day Tickets sold, whether a ST Holder was present or not they were included in the Match Day Figures.

To me, those figures are terrible for a supposedly Rugby mad Region and Country, and the quality of Rugby on view for the vast majority of this season, but at least they are on the up.

I can remember when I started going to the Liberty, that the break even figure for our Region was put at 10000, Not really sure if we ever reached that figure. We are heading that way, it would be nice to see us reach that figure in the next season or 2.

Don't know enough about the marketing and promotions activity at the O's but looking at what Glasgow,Quins and Saracens have done in this area i'm sure there's more that could be done to attract more support.The problems are that rugby is so tribal down there it must be hard to attract fans from other regions,and successful teams with silverware do seem to attract more fans above and beyond the core support.

For me and my mates,jack exiles all,a 2 to 6 hour car trip gives us access to rugby at any of Quins,LI,Saracens,Bath,Gloucester,Exeter,Wasps and even Northampton and Leicester at a pinch..That's pretty stiff competition even if the O's were regularly in the running for silverware.

We have no problems with hospitality at the O's but that blydi music they play during the game does our heads in.More silver bands and choirs preferred.The other things that get our goat is the absence of microphones for the reporters asking questions of O's coaches and the team announcement only 24 hours before the game.This is relevant given some of the 'odd' selections Tandy makes.

Anyway,it's been interesting reading the comments of the Ulster fans in their thread.Us rugby fans are a fickle lot.Plus ca change,plus ca meme chose!

[wayne]

Increase in average attendance for Guinness League matches for the 3rd successive season
10/11  8105
11/12  7686
12/13  9273
13/14  7935
14/15  8398
15/16  8605
16/17  9026

In a way these figures are more impressive than they appear, from 14/15 IIRC entry to the Liberty Stadium is controlled by Season Ticket Bar Code and the same on Individual Tickets Sold Bar Code, previous to them years the figures were Season Tickets Sold + Match Day Tickets sold, whether a ST Holder was present or not they were included in the Match Day Figures.

To me, those figures are terrible for a supposedly Rugby mad Region and Country, and the quality of Rugby on view for the vast majority of this season, but at least they are on the up.

I can remember when I started going to the Liberty, that the break even figure for our Region was put at 10000, Not really sure if we ever reached that figure. We are heading that way, it would be nice to see us reach that figure in the next season or 2.

Don't know enough about the marketing and promotions activity at the O's but looking at what Glasgow,Quins and Saracens have done in this area i'm sure there's more that could be done to attract more support.The problems are that rugby is so tribal down there it must be hard to attract fans from other regions,and successful teams with silverware do seem to attract more fans above and beyond the core support.

For me and my mates,jack exiles all,a 2 to 6 hour car trip gives us access to rugby at any of Quins,LI,Saracens,Bath,Gloucester,Exeter,Wasps and even Northampton and Leicester at a pinch..That's pretty stiff competition even if the O's were regularly in the running for silverware.

We have no problems with hospitality at the O's but that blydi music they play during the game does our heads in.More silver bands and choirs preferred.The other things that get our goat is the absence of microphones for the reporters asking questions of O's coaches and the team announcement only 24 hours before the game.This is relevant given some of the 'odd' selections Tandy makes.

Anyway,it's been interesting reading the comments of the Ulster fans in their thread.Us rugby fans are a fickle lot.Plus ca change,plus ca meme chose!

Jack we hired a bloke about 3 years ago to improve attendances, he was formerly with London Irish, very affable sort of bloke, but he did have a decent budget and it wasn't regarded as a success, he left pretty suddenly in the middle of 15/16 season.

There are plenty like you and your mates regarding the music, it doesn't bother me, I'm a fan of the brass band that used to play in the stands, but even that had criticism from the fans, especially ones sat near the Band.

Unless the games are played on a Sunday IIRC all teams announce their teams the day before the game. Sundays games teams are normally announced on the Friday.
As for our supporters there is a bloke also a Swansea Jack original, travels from Birmingham for practically every game HOME or AWAY. Fantastic supporter, we have numerous supporters from Merthyr, Pembrokeshire, Gwent and even a number from our esteemed Capital. To me the majority that don't support us are from the areas that were the original starters for our Region, especially the team from the North, they really wanted us to FAIL. All because of the antics of one Family.

[exile jack]

Increase in average attendance for Guinness League matches for the 3rd successive season
10/11  8105
11/12  7686
12/13  9273
13/14  7935
14/15  8398
15/16  8605
16/17  9026

In a way these figures are more impressive than they appear, from 14/15 IIRC entry to the Liberty Stadium is controlled by Season Ticket Bar Code and the same on Individual Tickets Sold Bar Code, previous to them years the figures were Season Tickets Sold + Match Day Tickets sold, whether a ST Holder was present or not they were included in the Match Day Figures.

To me, those figures are terrible for a supposedly Rugby mad Region and Country, and the quality of Rugby on view for the vast majority of this season, but at least they are on the up.

I can remember when I started going to the Liberty, that the break even figure for our Region was put at 10000, Not really sure if we ever reached that figure. We are heading that way, it would be nice to see us reach that figure in the next season or 2.

Don't know enough about the marketing and promotions activity at the O's but looking at what Glasgow,Quins and Saracens have done in this area i'm sure there's more that could be done to attract more support.The problems are that rugby is so tribal down there it must be hard to attract fans from other regions,and successful teams with silverware do seem to attract more fans above and beyond the core support.

For me and my mates,jack exiles all,a 2 to 6 hour car trip gives us access to rugby at any of Quins,LI,Saracens,Bath,Gloucester,Exeter,Wasps and even Northampton and Leicester at a pinch..That's pretty stiff competition even if the O's were regularly in the running for silverware.

We have no problems with hospitality at the O's but that blydi music they play during the game does our heads in.More silver bands and choirs preferred.The other things that get our goat is the absence of microphones for the reporters asking questions of O's coaches and the team announcement only 24 hours before the game.This is relevant given some of the 'odd' selections Tandy makes.

Anyway,it's been interesting reading the comments of the Ulster fans in their thread.Us rugby fans are a fickle lot.Plus ca change,plus ca meme chose!

Jack we hired a bloke about 3 years ago to improve attendances, he was formerly with London Irish, very affable sort of bloke, but he did have a decent budget and it wasn't regarded as a success, he left pretty suddenly in the middle of 15/16 season.

There are plenty like you and your mates regarding the music, it doesn't bother me, I'm a fan of the brass band that used to play in the stands, but even that had criticism from the fans, especially ones sat near the Band.

Unless the games are played on a Sunday IIRC all teams announce their teams the day before the game. Sundays games teams are normally announced on the Friday.
As for our supporters there is a bloke also a Swansea Jack original, travels from Birmingham for practically every game HOME or AWAY. Fantastic supporter, we have numerous supporters from Merthyr, Pembrokeshire, Gwent and even a number from our esteemed Capital. To me the majority that don't support us are from the areas that were the original starters for our Region, especially the team from the North, they really wanted us to FAIL. All because of the antics of one Family.  

Can only admire the Jack from Birmingham.We regularly see O's supporters from Gloucester,Bath,Bournemouth and Croydon,E Grinstead and Hastings.The main point is the O's being consistently successful home and away means attendances would rise.I remember a Heineken game with Toulouse with an attendance of close to 15K.Do tell more about the Family.

[wayne]

Increase in average attendance for Guinness League matches for the 3rd successive season
10/11  8105
11/12  7686
12/13  9273
13/14  7935
14/15  8398
15/16  8605
16/17  9026

In a way these figures are more impressive than they appear, from 14/15 IIRC entry to the Liberty Stadium is controlled by Season Ticket Bar Code and the same on Individual Tickets Sold Bar Code, previous to them years the figures were Season Tickets Sold + Match Day Tickets sold, whether a ST Holder was present or not they were included in the Match Day Figures.

To me, those figures are terrible for a supposedly Rugby mad Region and Country, and the quality of Rugby on view for the vast majority of this season, but at least they are on the up.

I can remember when I started going to the Liberty, that the break even figure for our Region was put at 10000, Not really sure if we ever reached that figure. We are heading that way, it would be nice to see us reach that figure in the next season or 2.

Don't know enough about the marketing and promotions activity at the O's but looking at what Glasgow,Quins and Saracens have done in this area i'm sure there's more that could be done to attract more support.The problems are that rugby is so tribal down there it must be hard to attract fans from other regions,and successful teams with silverware do seem to attract more fans above and beyond the core support.

For me and my mates,jack exiles all,a 2 to 6 hour car trip gives us access to rugby at any of Quins,LI,Saracens,Bath,Gloucester,Exeter,Wasps and even Northampton and Leicester at a pinch..That's pretty stiff competition even if the O's were regularly in the running for silverware.

We have no problems with hospitality at the O's but that blydi music they play during the game does our heads in.More silver bands and choirs preferred.The other things that get our goat is the absence of microphones for the reporters asking questions of O's coaches and the team announcement only 24 hours before the game.This is relevant given some of the 'odd' selections Tandy makes.

Anyway,it's been interesting reading the comments of the Ulster fans in their thread.Us rugby fans are a fickle lot.Plus ca change,plus ca meme chose!

Jack we hired a bloke about 3 years ago to improve attendances, he was formerly with London Irish, very affable sort of bloke, but he did have a decent budget and it wasn't regarded as a success, he left pretty suddenly in the middle of 15/16 season.

There are plenty like you and your mates regarding the music, it doesn't bother me, I'm a fan of the brass band that used to play in the stands, but even that had criticism from the fans, especially ones sat near the Band.

Unless the games are played on a Sunday IIRC all teams announce their teams the day before the game. Sundays games teams are normally announced on the Friday.
As for our supporters there is a bloke also a Swansea Jack original, travels from Birmingham for practically every game HOME or AWAY. Fantastic supporter, we have numerous supporters from Merthyr, Pembrokeshire, Gwent and even a number from our esteemed Capital. To me the majority that don't support us are from the areas that were the original starters for our Region, especially the team from the North, they really wanted us to FAIL. All because of the antics of one Family.  

Can only admire the Jack from Birmingham.We regularly see O's supporters from Gloucester,Bath,Bournemouth and Croydon,E Grinstead and Hastings.The main point is the O's being consistently successful home and away means attendances would rise.I remember a Heineken game with Toulouse with an attendance of close to 15K.Do tell more about the Family.

Jack surely you have heard about the Hawkes family and it's court case with the Ospreys and Cuddy, dragged on for years and cost a fortune, thankfully it is all behind us now, it even resulted in Neath players joining the Scarlets over us. Sad Times.

[exile jack]

Increase in average attendance for Guinness League matches for the 3rd successive season
10/11  8105
11/12  7686
12/13  9273
13/14  7935
14/15  8398
15/16  8605
16/17  9026

In a way these figures are more impressive than they appear, from 14/15 IIRC entry to the Liberty Stadium is controlled by Season Ticket Bar Code and the same on Individual Tickets Sold Bar Code, previous to them years the figures were Season Tickets Sold + Match Day Tickets sold, whether a ST Holder was present or not they were included in the Match Day Figures.

To me, those figures are terrible for a supposedly Rugby mad Region and Country, and the quality of Rugby on view for the vast majority of this season, but at least they are on the up.

I can remember when I started going to the Liberty, that the break even figure for our Region was put at 10000, Not really sure if we ever reached that figure. We are heading that way, it would be nice to see us reach that figure in the next season or 2.

Don't know enough about the marketing and promotions activity at the O's but looking at what Glasgow,Quins and Saracens have done in this area i'm sure there's more that could be done to attract more support.The problems are that rugby is so tribal down there it must be hard to attract fans from other regions,and successful teams with silverware do seem to attract more fans above and beyond the core support.

For me and my mates,jack exiles all,a 2 to 6 hour car trip gives us access to rugby at any of Quins,LI,Saracens,Bath,Gloucester,Exeter,Wasps and even Northampton and Leicester at a pinch..That's pretty stiff competition even if the O's were regularly in the running for silverware.

We have no problems with hospitality at the O's but that blydi music they play during the game does our heads in.More silver bands and choirs preferred.The other things that get our goat is the absence of microphones for the reporters asking questions of O's coaches and the team announcement only 24 hours before the game.This is relevant given some of the 'odd' selections Tandy makes.

Anyway,it's been interesting reading the comments of the Ulster fans in their thread.Us rugby fans are a fickle lot.Plus ca change,plus ca meme chose!

Jack we hired a bloke about 3 years ago to improve attendances, he was formerly with London Irish, very affable sort of bloke, but he did have a decent budget and it wasn't regarded as a success, he left pretty suddenly in the middle of 15/16 season.

There are plenty like you and your mates regarding the music, it doesn't bother me, I'm a fan of the brass band that used to play in the stands, but even that had criticism from the fans, especially ones sat near the Band.

Unless the games are played on a Sunday IIRC all teams announce their teams the day before the game. Sundays games teams are normally announced on the Friday.
As for our supporters there is a bloke also a Swansea Jack original, travels from Birmingham for practically every game HOME or AWAY. Fantastic supporter, we have numerous supporters from Merthyr, Pembrokeshire, Gwent and even a number from our esteemed Capital. To me the majority that don't support us are from the areas that were the original starters for our Region, especially the team from the North, they really wanted us to FAIL. All because of the antics of one Family.  

Can only admire the Jack from Birmingham.We regularly see O's supporters from Gloucester,Bath,Bournemouth and Croydon,E Grinstead and Hastings.The main point is the O's being consistently successful home and away means attendances would rise.I remember a Heineken game with Toulouse with an attendance of close to 15K.Do tell more about the Family.

Jack surely you have heard about the Hawkes family and it's court case with the Ospreys and Cuddy, dragged on for years and cost a fortune, thankfully it is all behind us now, it even resulted in Neath players joining the Scarlets over us. Sad Times.

Wayne,i recall some Court case about 10 years ago that Cuddy won I think. Also recall some bloke called Hawkes being arrested for fraud and money-laundering a couple of years ago and disqualified from being a company director.Hadn't joined up the dots,probably too much Brains S.A.

[wayne]

All because of the antics of one Family.   [/quote]

Can only admire the Jack from Birmingham.We regularly see O's supporters from Gloucester,Bath,Bournemouth and Croydon,E Grinstead and Hastings.The main point is the O's being consistently successful home and away means attendances would rise.I remember a Heineken game with Toulouse with an attendance of close to 15K.Do tell more about the Family.[/quote]

Jack surely you have heard about the Hawkes family and it's court case with the Ospreys and Cuddy, dragged on for years and cost a fortune, thankfully it is all behind us now, it even resulted in Neath players joining the Scarlets over us. Sad Times.[/quote]

Wayne,i recall some Court case about 10 years ago that Cuddy won I think. Also recall some bloke called Hawkes being arrested for fraud and money-laundering a couple of years ago and disqualified from being a company director.Hadn't joined up the dots,probably too much Brains S.A.[/quote]

Jack I don't think either of the pugilists came out of it squeky clean, and it cost a fortune, but thankfully not to the Ospreys, the disqualification was over VAT IIRC. Brains SA that could quite easily set you on the long road to oblivion, prefer Worthington myself.

[wayne]

Final Guinness League round of matches, before the knockout stages, Scarlets v Ospreys at Park y Scarlets. All games starting at 5.15 Saturday.
Judging by the Match Preview I don't think there will be many if any changes for the starters, expect our Captain to be on the bench, and might play around the 20 minute mark.
Expect team to be something like Dan Evans, Keelan Giles, Kieron Fonotia, Ashley Beck, Tom Habberfield, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Brian Mujati, BBBD, Tyler Ardron, Sam Underhill, Justin Tipuric and James King with Scott Otten, Paul James, Rhodri Jones, AWJ, Dan Baker, Brendon Leonard, Sam Davies and Josh Matavesi.
Jeff Hassler, Olly Cracknell, Adam Beard and Owen Watkin could be seen taking an extensive part in the preview, but don't expect any of them to be taking any part in this match.
The most I expect from this game is a losing Bonus Point and not very confident of even that, I think Brad Davis is going to earn his corn Saturday.

[wayne]

Final Guinness League round of matches, before the knockout stages, Scarlets v Ospreys at Park y Scarlets. All games starting at 5.15 Saturday.
Judging by the Match Preview I don't think there will be many if any changes for the starters, expect our Captain to be on the bench, and might play around the 20 minute mark.
Expect team to be something like Dan Evans, Keelan Giles, Kieron Fonotia, Ashley Beck, Tom Habberfield, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Brian Mujati, BBBD, Tyler Ardron, Sam Underhill, Justin Tipuric and James King with Scott Otten, Paul James, Rhodri Jones, AWJ, Dan Baker, Brendon Leonard, Sam Davies and Josh Matavesi.
Jeff Hassler, Olly Cracknell, Adam Beard and Owen Watkin could be seen taking an extensive part in the preview, but don't expect any of them to be taking any part in this match.
The most I expect from this game is a losing Bonus Point and not very confident of even that, I think Brad Davis is going to earn his corn Saturday.

Things are going from bad to disastrous on our Tight head position, Brian Mujati is now out injured, we're stuck with Rhodri starting and sausage on the bench, when we're up against IMO the Scarlets best facet of team the scrum. Rhodri Evans must be thinking his Birthday and Christmas has come together, also Beck out again no Sam Davies and no sign of AWJ (I bet the boys on the Lions injured thread are having a ball)
Ospreys Team Dan Evans, Keelan Giles, Kieron Fonotia, Tom Habberfield, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb(C), Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Rhodri Jones, BBBD, Tyler Ardron, Sam Underhill, Justin Tipuric and James King with Scott Otten, Paul James, Dan Suter, Lloyd Ashley, Dan Baker, Brendon Leonard, Jonathon Spratt and Dafydd Howells.

Have to say FANTASTIC CONGRATULATIONS to DAN EVANS, becoming the first ever Osprey to play 30 games in a season, he's been with us 3 seasons and has played a part in every single Pro 12 game, and to think a season or so ago, there were complete idiots on this Forum that reckoned he hadn't improved since joining us.

[wayne]

I feared that, comprehensively outplayed and more importantly outhought, it was very lucky Tipuric and Habberfield were on the field today, and it would have been a lot better if both Webb and Matavesi had not.

Have to say well done Scarlets, it could well have been 50. Time to get drunk.

[Guest]

What's happened to you guys Wayne?

Commiserations Ospreys. Well played Scarlets. Some of that back play was lovely. I've always found it a bit odd and perhaps a media stereotype that people say Jonathan Davies can't pass. Just look at the vitriol on the Lions thread. But every time I looked at the tv today he was passing loads, inside, outside, little pop passes, nice grubber through too for the try. Good performance.

[wayne]

What's happened to you guys Wayne?

Commiserations Ospreys. Well played Scarlets. Some of that back play was lovely. I've always found it a bit odd and perhaps a media stereotype that people say Jonathan Davies can't pass. Just look at the vitriol on the Lions thread. But every time I looked at the tv today he was passing loads, inside, outside, little pop passes, nice grubber through too for the try. Good performance.

It would be nice to blame that on injuries Griff, yes we were missing some key players, but that team should not have been humiliated like that, apart from Habberfield and perhaps Matavesi, that was our best backs out there today, and they were comprehensively outplayed. How many times did Scarlet players have the ball on the outside by just drawing and passing, I genuinely thought that was a bit harsh on Webb, as an impartial observer did you think the first contact was on the chest and went up? That 10 minutes is where the game was won and lost. Don't get me wrong it's not sour grapes, the much better team won and it could and should have been more. Yes JD2 was very good, there was some lovely interplay that he was involved in.
You want to go on our Forum and see what stick Tandy is taking, many want to see him gone, he'll do well to be in position at the beginning of next season IMO, the night of the long knives could be lasting ALL SUMMER.

[Guest]

Tandy's in a tough position due to people having high expectations of the Ospreys due to historical success (relative to other regions, such the Dragons for example). So even though you've got a top 4 position he can still be seen to be failing a bit because it has not been a stellar season by Ospreys standards. But like I said it's a tough position to be in. I'd give my left arm for the same sort of success for the Dragons as the O's have had since 2003. It's tough at the top!

[wayne]

2 pieces of news this morning one good and one very bad IMO, the good is that Brian Mujati has extended his stay with us into next season, please Brian make it back for the Munster game otherwise it could be even worse than it was yesterday. The bad is that it was confirmed to me in the last couple of hours that Tyler Ardron is leaving us, but there was not a lot we could do about it, as he is going to a S15 outfit. Basically what player wouldn't want to play in that competition? It is far better than any Club Competition in the NH.

Good Luck Tyler, you've proved a class act and wish you all the best.

[Breadvan]

That result has been coming. The Ulster win papered over the cracks. Wayne, I was told yesterday and pathetic as it sounds, the players are not happy that some perks have been stopped. Tickets for family, parking, post match grub etc. Imo, I think Tandy and Rees have taken this squad as far as they can. All very well knocking over tomato cans and getting bp's but when it comes to playing an attacking team on the front foot, we're found wanting..

[Seagultaf]

It's the Scarlets time in the limelight but I am sure the Ospreys will come back stronger than ever, they have nothing to lose against Munster next week, so who knows what could happen?

[Breadvan]

Maybe, our injury list is horrendous but the complete lack of any kind of performance and the form of some players since the Treviso game has been shocking. A fired up Munster at a packed Thomand? Its practically a bye...

[wayne]

That result has been coming. The Ulster win papered over the cracks. Wayne, I was told yesterday and pathetic as it sounds, the players are not happy that some perks have been stopped. Tickets for family, parking, post match grub etc. Imo, I think Tandy and Rees have taken this squad as far as they can. All very well knocking over tomato cans and getting bp's but when it comes to playing an attacking team on the front foot, we're found wanting..

Breadvan, those perks as you put it, are crap, after the Ulster game I met up with Scott Baldwins partner, child and Father in law, I'm from the Garw Valley originally and knew Scotts partner was also from there, I knew the FIL, and he was saying he would be coming often because of the ticket situation, we also park in the North Car Park, that's where the Players park, unless this is for next season I couldn't say but not this one.

As for your Tandy and Rees comment I entirely agree, for the Scarlets to be able to get overlaps at will, something fundamental has truly gone wrong, I think something big has to change, the problem is the lack of Finance.

[wayne]

What a night Justin Tipuric had in our Annual Awards Night Dinner, he won every single Senior award that he was entitled to be in, Fans Player of the Year, Players Player of the Year, Coaches Player of the Year and Social Media Player of the Year. The last is won by the results of every Player of the Month taken into account, (so Justin wasn't just a one month wonder). I think the 2 beatings we had on Judgement Day and the last days stuffing from the Scarlets would have been a hell of a lot worse, if he wasn't there.
Fantastic player, with sublime skills, whether in the tight or the loose, we are very lucky to have him.

[wayne]

So Tyler Ardron is leaving us for S15 New Zealand Team the Chiefs, been very unlucky the last couple of seasons with injuries. Still contend he is the best No 8 on our books, sorry to see him go. Best of luck for the future Tyler.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

You've obviously watched him more often and more closely than I have, but I've never seen him have a bad game. Good hands too.

[wayne]

You've obviously watched him more often and more closely than I have, but I've never seen him have a bad game. Good hands too.

LP, there was a bit of a debate on here at the beginning of the season about the best 8s in Wales, and people were talking about among others Nick Williams and Dan Baker probably some others as well and I said the best No 8 playing in Wales was Tyler, the following match he had an absolute stinker. He's very athletic, but also plays well in traditional Welsh weather, and as far as the pair I mentioned he is an outstanding line out option which neither of those 2 are. The best prospect in Wales now is your boy, if you want to swap we'll take him in a second.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Harrison Keddie? We definitely need to be starting him next season.

Ollie Griffiths is more of an openside, but he's done well enough at 8 recently.

[wayne]

Harrison Keddie? We definitely need to be starting him next season.

Ollie Griffiths is more of an openside, but he's done well enough at 8 recently.

I was thinking more in kind of Keddie as a natural 8, but Ollie has the higher ceiling, either or both will do.

Going onto your problems at the moment, a normally outspoken member on our Forum, who always feels the need to answer anybody and everybody reckons the WRU will offload a few of your players. I haven't responded to him, but didn't Kingsley say your recent signings were all approved by the WRU in the recent past, if they approved them why would you need to offload your young stars?

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