Simon Roberts Ospreys Comments

I was reading the Western Mail's Simon Roberts analysis on the Welsh regions Heineken Cup Pools when I came across these comments about the Ospreys in Europe

"The Ospreys have been Wales’ most successful side in Europe despite never getting past the quarter-finals and coming close to being crowned Kings of Europe"


"Wales’ flag-bearers in Europe are in a transitional phase and will be viewed as a real unknown quantity in a pool that will be tight".

Sorry but am I missing something here ? Since when were the Ospreys Wales’ flag-bearers in Europe ? and how can they be Wales’ most successful side in Europe despite never getting past the quarter-finals ? The Blues/Cardiff have made a final and a Semi final and Scarlets have made a few semi finals so what is Simon Roberts on about ? This is not a dig at Ospreys fans but your region has thus far massively underachieved in Europe and are certainly not flag bearers for Wales in Europe. Surely that would be the Scarlets. Maybe Roberts is an Ospreys fan... ? I can think of no other reason for these daft comments.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2011/06/12/heineken-cup-pool-by-pool-guide-to-the-2011-12-season-91466-28862589/#ixzz1P8R19f6F

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2011/06/12/welsh-regions-in-real-battle-for-european-glory-91466-28862588/

I think they've been the Great White Hope these last few seasons and were seen as the most likely to win the HC out of the welsh regions. But yes you're right, the other regions have more history. The best comment however was about the Blues being in transition - I left a comment about that. Biggest joke of the week. How can a team with so many 30 somethings and a coach who says "Same again next season boys!" be in transition?

Western Mail is BAD

They have been the Welsh Regional on Paper favourites almost every year since their inception but have failed to achieve.

Though they have had some very tough groups to get out of.

The Groups are only getting tougher though and it will be interesting o see how a new look Ospreys fare next season.

I agree,

TBS - hahaha, Blues are not in transistion if they arent bringing in any player? Who wrote that??!!

The Blues and Scarlets have been more successful than the Ospreys in Europe.

The Blues have a HC SF (sooo, close to a final) and a Amlin Cup from the last 3 years, the Ospreys have never got past the 1/4s.

They may have been the 'favoured' Welsh Region over last few seasons but haven't lived up to that, then again I would pretty much take anything written in the WM with a BIG pinch of salt.

As for how they go next season think bit of pressure of them and some youngsters will come good

wales606 wrote:
The Blues have a HC SF (sooo, close to a final) and a Amlin Cup from the last 3 years, the Ospreys have never got past the 1/4s.

Yep but Simon says "The Ospreys have been Wales’ most successful side in Europe despite never getting past the quarter-finals and coming close to being crowned Kings of Europe"

Maybe it was meant as a joke. Now that would make sense.

oh...Simon say...

606 - I think it was Dai Young who said there was no money for new players so he had to carry on with what he had available. I sincerely hope they bring in some academy boys. It was Simon Roberts who described them as going through a transition - I ain't seen it yet! The Wendy Fail is truly bad!

Yeah, the Blues are bust.

Hopefully they will be able to get some consistancy this season though (we were destroyed by injuries last season), at least we have managed to keep all our players, and can start again next season.

I too hope the Blues get some consistancy but bear in mind we are in transistion

The Blues yes but the Scarlets region has not done so well since regional rugby, and he is talking about the regions, where they definitely haven't been to a semi. Have they been to a quarter final since regionalism? I think you're referring to Llanelli, a different team from a different era. Splitting hairs maybe, but one worth pointing out I feel.

The Blues have won the Amlin and have been to a semi so they would be the most successful 'region' historically.

Griff wrote:The Blues yes but the Scarlets region has not done so well since regional rugby, and he is talking about the regions, where they definitely haven't been to a semi. Have they been to a quarter final since regionalism?

Oh yes they have Griff

2006/07 Semi Final against LeicesterTigers Lost 33-17

They have been to 3 quarter finals in 2003-04, 2006-07 and 2009-10.

We are talking about Scarlets here not Llanelli RFC.

Christ! Apologies Scarlets fans. In my head those years were Llanelli RFC (who also had a very good HC pedigree). I've obviously been drinking too much since the regions formed!!! Sorry.

I can't believe you're taking a comment published in that rubbish rag seriously! If it's not one them slagging off the "galacticos" (I hate that word ) then they're sucking up to them. Anyone would think they're the only region in Wales if they only read about rugby in TWM. Utter tripe.

Whats there win loss record compared to other? Its wouldnt shock me at all to find that they have the best win ratio of any of the Regions.

Good!
I'm bloody glad Welsh regions are being forced to cevelop from within their academies as opposed to bringing in a player from the Islands or New Zealand. Llanelli Scarlets have done fantastic work over the last 2 years in bringing through a team of exciting talented players to build a solid future for the region, many are now capped Welsh internationals. These players are neither expensive or disloyal and want to make the Scarlets better. contrast this to the Ospreys who have bought in several players who simply go elsewhere for a bigger pay check any chance they got. Does anyone think Lee Bryne or Mike Phillips would of behaved the way they have if they's been brought through our academy system, and were loyal to our region.

When it comes to the HC all the Welsh regions should keep their heads down and mouths shut - we've been pants for years!

Its Western Mail tripe as usual guys, they are nothing more than rumour mongers who print stories with very little truth or credability behind them.

After all what are Roberts' credentials on the rugby playing front.