European Cup Games

[Son of Mathonwy]

Loving the new 'competitive in Europe' thing the Ospreys are doing. Can it continue vs Leicester??

[Sourdust]

Loving the new 'competitive in Europe' thing the Ospreys are doing. Can it continue vs Leicester??

Apparently only 1 point is required to qualify for the last 16. This hybrid format is weird though, it feels odd to climb up a table at the expense of teams you don't play, and would be a bit hollow to "qualify" after winning 2 from 4. In reality, losing a last 16 tie would represent exiting the competition at the same stage we always do.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Loving the new 'competitive in Europe' thing the Ospreys are doing. Can it continue vs Leicester??

Apparently only 1 point is required to qualify for the last 16. This hybrid format is weird though, it feels odd to climb up a table at the expense of teams you don't play, and would be a bit hollow to "qualify" after winning 2 from 4. In reality, losing a last 16 tie would represent exiting the competition at the same stage we always do.

I must admit I haven't put any time into understanding the new system so am just running with the concept that winning games is good.

[newgalesurf]

I am with you on the quali system. Give me a straight round robin any day.

Also not too happy with Champions League sides dropping down. Rather keep the 2 tiers separate than give them another money earner

[Sourdust]

Golly.

Well, I guess we're there on merit now!

[Son of Mathonwy]

Oh yes, oh f*cking yes!

How Gats decides between Reffell, Tips and Morgan I do not know.

[Puja]

Golly.

Well, I guess we're there on merit now!

And very well deserved. Tremendous defence from your lot to keep us out.

Puja

[normanski]

Golly.

Well, I guess we're there on merit now!

And very well deserved. Tremendous defence from your lot to keep us out.

Puja

Puja, Has the Leicester pack gone backwards since Borthwick has moved on? There were times last night in the scrums and lines out that they didn’t look particularly happy. It was a wonderful game of flat out rugby to watch and it could have gone either way. In the past a Welsh side would have crumbled in the last quarter but Booth seems to be inspiring his side to greater heights.

[UKHamlet]

Boom. That's the sort of tonic the national side needs. I'm not an Os fan by any stretch of the imagination, but I was VH with that.

[Puja]

Golly.

Well, I guess we're there on merit now!

And very well deserved. Tremendous defence from your lot to keep us out.

Puja

Puja, Has the Leicester pack gone backwards since Borthwick has moved on? There were times last night in the scrums and lines out that they didn’t look particularly happy. It was a wonderful game of flat out rugby to watch and it could have gone either way. In the past a Welsh side would have crumbled in the last quarter but Booth seems to be inspiring his side to greater heights.

Yeah, definitely. I mean, the scrums have been weaker anyway since we lost Genge, and not having Wiese, Heyes, and a fully-fit Montoya made a big difference there (plus the ref reached a stage where he had predecided every scrum was a penalty - Richardson got yellow carded for nothing (although it took the attention off the blatant yellow and pen try for Kelly's high tackle that got completely ignored)), but that lineout performance would not have happened under Borthwick. You read us like a book every time.

Puja

[normanski]

Puja. The good news is both sides are through to the next stage and on that form will make a dent into quite a few sides.

[Sourdust]

And very well deserved. Tremendous defence from your lot to keep us out.

I thought the defence from both sides was borderline superhuman.

A horrible way to lose for Tigers, although at least it didn't prove too costly in the long run. I think we were very lucky that the TMO persisted long enough to find the crucial frame that showed Morgan grounding the ball. But if we were lucky there, it made up for the Keiron Williams one where (a) it should have been a PT anyway and (b) there was nowhere near conclusive evidence to overturn the (probably incorrect) on-field award of the try.

Two forward shunts and one lucky bounce, beats two well-crafted backline moves. But I guess away from home we don't need to apologize for that. It came down to a coin-toss and I'd have had no arguments with it ending 26-20; as chuffed as I am that it didn't!

Can we talk about Giles' tackle on Montoya? Because nobody is, and I'm thinking I might have dreamed it...

[Puja]

Can we talk about Giles' tackle on Montoya? Because nobody is, and I'm thinking I might have dreamed it...

I don't remember that one?

Puja

[pompey-zebra]

And very well deserved. Tremendous defence from your lot to keep us out.

I thought the defence from both sides was borderline superhuman.



Can we talk about Giles' tackle on Montoya? Because nobody is, and I'm thinking I might have dreamed it...

The one where he got Montoya into touch in the corner? Yes, crucial one that, given the pressure Leicester were exerting at the time. As you say, both sides putting their bodies on the line in defence in that game.

[Puja]

And very well deserved. Tremendous defence from your lot to keep us out.

I thought the defence from both sides was borderline superhuman.



Can we talk about Giles' tackle on Montoya? Because nobody is, and I'm thinking I might have dreamed it...

The one where he got Montoya into touch in the corner? Yes, crucial one that, given the pressure Leicester were exerting at the time. As you say, both sides putting their bodies on the line in defence in that game.

Oh yes, I remember now!

That and whoever pulled off the ridiculous try-saver on Simmons in the first half that changed the halftime score from probably 20-7 to two quick penalties to go in 13-13.

Puja

[Son of Mathonwy]

And very well deserved. Tremendous defence from your lot to keep us out.

I thought the defence from both sides was borderline superhuman.

A horrible way to lose for Tigers, although at least it didn't prove too costly in the long run. I think we were very lucky that the TMO persisted long enough to find the crucial frame that showed Morgan grounding the ball. But if we were lucky there, it made up for the Keiron Williams one where (a) it should have been a PT anyway and (b) there was nowhere near conclusive evidence to overturn the (probably incorrect) on-field award of the try.

Two forward shunts and one lucky bounce, beats two well-crafted backline moves. But I guess away from home we don't need to apologize for that. It came down to a coin-toss and I'd have had no arguments with it ending 26-20; as chuffed as I am that it didn't!

Can we talk about Giles' tackle on Montoya? Because nobody is, and I'm thinking I might have dreamed it...

Giles should really have had a chance for Wales by now. He doesn't just move like lightning, his tackling technique is excellent too.

[pompey-zebra]

And very well deserved. Tremendous defence from your lot to keep us out.

Giles should really have had a chance for Wales by now. He doesn't just move like lightning, his tackling technique is excellent too.

Is it my imagination, but was Giles in one of Gatland's squads, ( AI I think, or maybe extended squad) but pulled out through injury? Hopefully if he can stay injury free and I'm sure his chance will come.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Giles should really have had a chance for Wales by now. He doesn't just move like lightning, his tackling technique is excellent too.

Is it my imagination, but was Giles in one of Gatland's squads, ( AI I think, or maybe extended squad) but pulled out through injury? Hopefully if he can stay injury free and I'm sure his chance will come.

He was definitely in an AI squad when Howley was caretaking, and an unused sub for a match (I'll never quite forgive Howley for keeping Cuthbert on for 80 uninspired minutes while Giles was never given a chance).

[Sourdust]

Giles should really have had a chance for Wales by now. He doesn't just move like lightning, his tackling technique is excellent too.

Is it my imagination, but was Giles in one of Gatland's squads, ( AI I think, or maybe extended squad) but pulled out through injury? Hopefully if he can stay injury free and I'm sure his chance will come.

He was definitely in an AI squad when Howley was caretaking, and an unused sub for a match (I'll never quite forgive Howley for keeping Cuthbert on for 80 uninspired minutes while Giles was never given a chance).

Yes he scored about 30 tries in half a dozen Os games, and then sat on the bench and watched as Wales struggled to break down Japan. Within months he was injured, out for the better part of 2 years IIRC, and never got a sniff again. He's just looking like he might be back for good, but of course he's not the bright young thing any more.

[Son of Mathonwy]

The Ospreys tried, they really tried, but winning knockout games in the Champions Cup just doesn't happen for the Welsh (has it ever?). I thought the Ospreys' scrum was pretty strong . . . till this match. At least Keiron Williams got to show why he should have played for Wales in the 6N. Nicky Smith and Morgan Morris put up their hands too.

Annoying but completely unsurprising result.

[Sandydragon]

The Ospreys tried, they really tried, but winning knockout games in the Champions Cup just doesn't happen for the Welsh (has it ever?). I thought the Ospreys' scrum was pretty strong . . . till this match. At least Keiron Williams got to show why he should have played for Wales in the 6N. Nicky Smith and Morgan Morris put up their hands too.

Annoying but completely unsurprising result.

It looked like they ran out of steam somewhat. Cracking first half but basics let them down- Lakes throwing for example is a huge work on.

[Numbers]

Was Duncan Taylor the right side of the ball when it was thrown in? It was borderline and they didn't look at it at all, that was the turning point of the match imo.

[Son of Mathonwy]

The Ospreys tried, they really tried, but winning knockout games in the Champions Cup just doesn't happen for the Welsh (has it ever?). I thought the Ospreys' scrum was pretty strong . . . till this match. At least Keiron Williams got to show why he should have played for Wales in the 6N. Nicky Smith and Morgan Morris put up their hands too.

Annoying but completely unsurprising result.

It looked like they ran out of steam somewhat. Cracking first half but basics let them down- Lakes throwing for example is a huge work on.

Yep and Webb's intercepted quick lineout was the stuff of tragedy. Also, if they could just have stopped Sarries from scoring before the break it would have made a big difference. Losing Tips did not help either.

[pompey-zebra]

At least Keiron Williams got to show why he should have played for Wales in the 6N.

His chances might have increased with Joe Hawkins moving to Exeter next season.

[Sandydragon]

At least Keiron Williams got to show why he should have played for Wales in the 6N.

His chances might have increased with Joe Hawkins moving to Exeter next season.

Yeah. FFS