Ospreys v Treviso

[Sandydragon]

Hugely one sided affair. 43-3 with 20 to go. Treviso somehow defending well with 13 players but otherwise have been dire.

[Sandydragon]

Now 57-3. Try for Gilles on his debut, pretty decent effort as well albeit against a disorganised defence.

[Ross. S]

Rhys Webb been looking sharp since he came on too

[Sandydragon]

Shame no ne has been close on his two clean breaks. Wasted opportunities.

[Sandydragon]

Sloppy box kick from Webb gifts a try to Treviso. Final score is 64-10.

Good score line but a bit sloppy at times. Still plenty of work to do,

[cadofyddol]

Now 57-3. Try for Gilles on his debut, pretty decent effort as well albeit against a disorganised defence.

The first of many I think. He looked great for the U20s last year and think he has what it takes to make it at this level.

[cadofyddol]

You can't argue with a maximum 15 points from 15, especially after the start to last season. I'm still not convinced by the O's coaching team but they deserve the opportunity to see how they fare against the top teams.

[Sandydragon]

You can't argue with a maximum 15 points from 15, especially after the start to last season. I'm still not convinced by the O's coaching team but they deserve the opportunity to see how they fare against the top teams.

3 big games coming up, so that will show where they are. In places the Ospreys have looked superb, but all too often sloppy thereafter. Games like the one tonight don't help, but it was at least an easy opportunity to bring back the international players.

Totally agree about Gilles. If he keeps on like that he will be in the senior Welsh team soon enough.

[Sourdust]

We haven't come up against any truly decent opposition yet, but those 15 points in the bag are incredibly handy. After a couple of slow starts, this time there's a solid foundation to build on instead of playing catch-up again. The next three fixtures look much, much tougher, but now we can probably afford to lose at least one of them and still be in a strong position.

It was a stereotypical Italian performance - really tough to break at first, but once we'd done it once they threw the towel in. I'm pretty happy with the ruthless way the Os went about the first 60 minutes, but a little annoyed that they started "showboating" a bit at the end, and that Treviso try was coming even if you can't really say they deserved it.

Great to see so many players improving though. I've often said that the strength of many English teams (national team included) is not so much their superstars, but just how many solidly decent players they have at the level below that. Whereas Welsh teams tend to have if anything more superstars, but with a dramatic tail-off below them. I'm seeing signs now that Os are approaching that model; a sprinkling of stardust, but backed up by a large group of sub-stellar but all very handy players, who can get a job done.

[cadofyddol]

We haven't come up against any truly decent opposition yet, but those 15 points in the bag are incredibly handy. After a couple of slow starts, this time there's a solid foundation to build on instead of playing catch-up again. The next three fixtures look much, much tougher, but now we can probably afford to lose at least one of them and still be in a strong position.

It was a stereotypical Italian performance - really tough to break at first, but once we'd done it once they threw the towel in. I'm pretty happy with the ruthless way the Os went about the first 60 minutes, but a little annoyed that they started "showboating" a bit at the end, and that Treviso try was coming even if you can't really say they deserved it.

Great to see so many players improving though. I've often said that the strength of many English teams (national team included) is not so much their superstars, but just how many solidly decent players they have at the level below that. Whereas Welsh teams tend to have if anything more superstars, but with a dramatic tail-off below them. I'm seeing signs now that Os are approaching that model; a sprinkling of stardust, but backed up by a large group of sub-stellar but all very handy players, who can get a job done.

They are building a relative strength in depth in most positions. Although I'll be happier if Fia develops a little further.
Wing was a real problem a couple of seasons ago but now with Howell and Giles they have more depth. Centre will be looking better when whathisname arrives in the next couple of months, just a shame Watkin is out for so long.
The only position left with very little depth is full back. After Evans I'm guessing Sam Davies would drop back, and after that I'm guessing a real novice such as Howell unless they brought Fussell out of stasis.

[Ross. S]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... m-11902585

That would fix the O's fullback depth issues.....

[cadofyddol]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... m-11902585

That would fix the O's fullback depth issues.....

I'm tempted to say his agent is trying to get him the best possible contract for renewal. However Halfpenny becoming available makes it interesting.

[Son of Mathonwy]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... m-11902585

That would fix the O's fullback depth issues.....

I'm tempted to say his agent is trying to get him the best possible contract for renewal. However Halfpenny becoming available makes it interesting.

Having Liam or Halfpenny in the squad with Dan Evans would seem a bit wasteful.
All is fine if Biggar, Davies and Evans stay fit (except in the international windows.... but then Liam and 1/2p are no use in the windows anyway).
Could Matavesi do a job at 15, maybe? Any promising juniors?

But this leads to the BIG problem: if Davies gets into the Welsh squad as well as Bigger (which I think he now deserves).
Who's 10 then??
Maybe the O's should have hired McShingler or re-hired Nipper....

[Ross. S]

Don't think its an agent thing. O's are looking at halfpenny, Amos and Hook (!) for fullback cover too.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... m-11902814

[cadofyddol]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... m-11902585

That would fix the O's fullback depth issues.....

I'm tempted to say his agent is trying to get him the best possible contract for renewal. However Halfpenny becoming available makes it interesting.

Having Liam or Halfpenny in the squad with Dan Evans would seem a bit wasteful.
All is fine if Biggar, Davies and Evans stay fit (except in the international windows.... but then Liam and 1/2p are no use in the windows anyway).
Could Matavesi do a job at 15, maybe? Any promising juniors?

But this leads to the BIG problem: if Davies gets into the Welsh squad as well as Bigger (which I think he now deserves).
Who's 10 then??
Maybe the O's should have hired McShingler or re-hired Nipper....

As well as Evans has been playing, I think Liam or Halfpenny are big step up and if the O's have any ambitions of doing well in Europe then I think fullback is a position they could look to strengthen.

The Ospreys third choice 10 would be either Matevasi or Evans, however moving Evans would cause knock on issues at 15.

[Sourdust]

There's an obvious gap behind Dan Evans at 15 - but to shove Evans himself into it would send a terrible message IMO. He's been the standout back at Liberty for the last year. While no-one would argue that Sanjay isn't even better, to draft him in at Evans' obvious expense seems not just brutal but downright disloyal. If I were Evans, I'd be seriously considering my future if that happens. You may ask "where else is he going to go?" but I reckon he'd nail down first choice at any number of British clubs, and the remoteness of his international chances make him unlikely to be scared of Gatland's Law.

Os have an abundance of good-but-not-(yet)-brilliant wingers on our books; Grabham, Howells, Dirksen, Walker. I'd rather see one of them re-modelled into a backup 15.

[cadofyddol]

There's an obvious gap behind Dan Evans at 15 - but to shove Evans himself into it would send a terrible message IMO. He's been the standout back at Liberty for the last year. While no-one would argue that Sanjay isn't even better, to draft him in at Evans' obvious expense seems not just brutal but downright disloyal. If I were Evans, I'd be seriously considering my future if that happens. You may ask "where else is he going to go?" but I reckon he'd nail down first choice at any number of British clubs, and the remoteness of his international chances make him unlikely to be scared of Gatland's Law.

Os have an abundance of good-but-not-(yet)-brilliant wingers on our books; Grabham, Howells, Dirksen, Walker. I'd rather see one of them re-modelled into a backup 15.

That's the nature of sport unfortunately. The teams that remain loyal to the honest grafter are never going to win anything. Evans has played well, but to say he's been the standout back is a step too far imo. Webb, Biggar, Davies have been comfortably better imo. Evans had a poor end to the season as well.
Are the O's being disloyal to Ben John bringing in Fonotia? There are plenty of other examples as well.

[ALunpg]

Hi all... Is the reasoning taking on Fonotia ( not having seen him play ) to improve the centres during the international call up stretch, or is he seen as a serious option / selection ahead of Beck....

[cadofyddol]

Hi all... Is the reasoning taking on Fonotia ( not having seen him play ) to improve the centres during the international call up stretch, or is he seen as a serious option / selection ahead of Beck....

I think he's seen as a genuine first choice outside back, and most probably outside centre. Beck is a 12 for me as is Matevasi. Hopefully he'll bring a much needed cutting and creative edge at 13

[Sandydragon]

John hasn't done too badly for you in the first 3 matches at OC, again it looks like the OSpreys are building some depth. I suppose the trick will be to give the better players enough game time that they remain at the top of their game and not spend too long polishing the bench. But that is a better problem to have than being forced to play the same 15 week in week out due to a lack of options.

[cadofyddol]

John hasn't done too badly for you in the first 3 matches at OC, again it looks like the OSpreys are building some depth. I suppose the trick will be to give the better players enough game time that they remain at the top of their game and not spend too long polishing the bench. But that is a better problem to have than being forced to play the same 15 week in week out due to a lack of options.

Ben has done well, hopefully he can have a long run without injury and develop further. It's a real shame that Owen Watkin picked up such a bad injury as he was looking good last season.

[Sandydragon]

John hasn't done too badly for you in the first 3 matches at OC, again it looks like the OSpreys are building some depth. I suppose the trick will be to give the better players enough game time that they remain at the top of their game and not spend too long polishing the bench. But that is a better problem to have than being forced to play the same 15 week in week out due to a lack of options.

Ben has done well, hopefully he can have a long run without injury and develop further. It's a real shame that Owen Watkin picked up such a bad injury as he was looking good last season.

Definitely. I have high hopes for Watkin, he looked to have the physicality of Roberts with some ball playing skills as well.

[Numbers]

There's an obvious gap behind Dan Evans at 15 - but to shove Evans himself into it would send a terrible message IMO. He's been the standout back at Liberty for the last year. While no-one would argue that Sanjay isn't even better, to draft him in at Evans' obvious expense seems not just brutal but downright disloyal. If I were Evans, I'd be seriously considering my future if that happens. You may ask "where else is he going to go?" but I reckon he'd nail down first choice at any number of British clubs, and the remoteness of his international chances make him unlikely to be scared of Gatland's Law.

Os have an abundance of good-but-not-(yet)-brilliant wingers on our books; Grabham, Howells, Dirksen, Walker. I'd rather see one of them re-modelled into a backup 15.

That's the nature of sport unfortunately. The teams that remain loyal to the honest grafter are never going to win anything. Evans has played well, but to say he's been the standout back is a step too far imo. Webb, Biggar, Davies have been comfortably better imo. Evans had a poor end to the season as well.
Are the O's being disloyal to Ben John bringing in Fonotia? There are plenty of other examples as well.

Try telling that to Exeter...

[cadofyddol]

There's an obvious gap behind Dan Evans at 15 - but to shove Evans himself into it would send a terrible message IMO. He's been the standout back at Liberty for the last year. While no-one would argue that Sanjay isn't even better, to draft him in at Evans' obvious expense seems not just brutal but downright disloyal. If I were Evans, I'd be seriously considering my future if that happens. You may ask "where else is he going to go?" but I reckon he'd nail down first choice at any number of British clubs, and the remoteness of his international chances make him unlikely to be scared of Gatland's Law.

Os have an abundance of good-but-not-(yet)-brilliant wingers on our books; Grabham, Howells, Dirksen, Walker. I'd rather see one of them re-modelled into a backup 15.

That's the nature of sport unfortunately. The teams that remain loyal to the honest grafter are never going to win anything. Evans has played well, but to say he's been the standout back is a step too far imo. Webb, Biggar, Davies have been comfortably better imo. Evans had a poor end to the season as well.
Are the O's being disloyal to Ben John bringing in Fonotia? There are plenty of other examples as well.

Try telling that to Exeter...

What have Exeter won?

I get your point though, and maybe honest grafter is not the best term, or necessarily an accurate description of Exeter's players. A team is always stronger than a group of individuals, but I don't think many would argue that Liam would improve the Ospreys