Ospreys - Season 2011/2012

A review looking at Ospreys's chances in the new season. Its been an interesting off season for the Ospreys. Lots of player departures in Byrne, Holah, Collins, Hook & Phillips. All good players on their day with Collins probably being one of the better Ospreys performers.

New players this season:-
Aaron Jarvis – Prop
Joe Bearman – Back Row
Chauncey O’Toole – Back Row
George Stowers – No 8
Kahn Fotuali’I – Scrum Half (also plays at Fly Half)



I’m not surprised to see a full allocation of non Welsh players by the Ospreys. Interestingly they have opted to go for players who should be available all season long (once the World cup is over). Looking at the signings I see Stowers being a straight swap for Collins. I hope they use him at 8 and move Ryan Jones to Blindside Flanker as they lacked a big ball carrier at 8 last season. Fotualo’i should be the pick of the bunch. I expect him to claim the 9 shirt and actually improve the Ospreys tempo and direction. Phillips last season looked like a man who didn’t want to be there and played almost disinterested at times. Bearman is clearly a cover signing for International periods. I don’t see him pushing for starts in the first team when they are fielded but he should feature heavily in the Pro 12. I noticed they signed Jarvis with a view to understudy Adam Jones at Tighthead. They also stated he is Welsh Qualified or will be at any rate. They do seem to have a few Tighthead Projects down at the Liberty at the moment which is understandable as good Props are hard to come by.

With the Internationals away in the early part of the season and the Ospreys not likely to get a chance to field the star names for large parts of the season here is what I think will be the most common lineup:-

1. D. Jones / R. Bevington
2. S. Baldwin
3. A. Jarvis / C. Griffiths
4. I. Gough
5. I. Evans
6. J. Bearman
7. J. Tipuric
8. J. Thomas (Sadly I wish they kept him at Lock)

9. R. Webb
10. D. Biggar
11. R. Fussell
12. A. Bishop
13. A. Beck
14. K. Phillips / N. Walker
15. B. Davies

The real strength of this side has always been the forwards. They probably the biggest of the Welsh Regions in that respect. For me I’m expecting to see great things from Beck this year. He should get a lot of game time and I also think Phillips may get an opportunity to stake his claim. Bishop will no doubt be the go to guy from the 3 quarters in the opening part of the season. I find myself wondering if this may be the season Ospreys backline starts to fire?

Prediction – Well looking at the first 6-9 fixtures Ospreys have a lot of home matches. If they can win those they should be close to Munster near the half way point. I expect the Ospreys to make the top 4 but winning the league is all about getting a home playoff so top 2 finish will be important. Given the talent they have available I could see them finishing 2nd this year. A possible Munster/Ospreys final?

Side Note: Season starts shortly so I’ll have to get a rush on posting the other teams I haven’t covered yet

An interesting season ahead for us Ospreys fans. Now the undroppables's have gone I hope SJ puts his faith in the players, who have been fairly bit part till now, to get some real game time. Whats encouraging is the strength in depth the squad has when fully fit, especially the backs.
My main hopes are:
Get off to a good start in the first few fixtures.
Improve the away form.
For the love of god......beat the Dragons! (esp at RP)

New season...new start. I hope that now some of the "messier" players have gone they can get on with it. I'd really like to see the youngsters coming through more and having a crack at the main fixtures. I'm not too hopeful for the Heino this season because we are missing experienced players between one thing and another, but we'll see how it goes I guess. Otherwise, I don't see why we can't grab the Rab title again

...and I agree with Breadvan. I'd like to see wins away at RP and in Cardiff this season.

pfft Forget it - the Parade has your number

Seriously though - In terms of young emerging talent the Ospreys are still leading the pack. How long does it take to realize talent? One year maybe 2. Johnson just needs to have some faith in the guys there and it will all come good.

I'm not sure about the HC Cari. They have a tough group no doubt but that squad is still pretty experienced. Sure they need to play at their best but then again what team dosnt? I'd say they have a shot of getting out the Group. I wouldnt write them off put it that way (unlike the Blues).

I think the O's will get out of their Heino Group, but I can't see them heading further than that. I reckon it'll be a French team at the top of the Heino this year. Not sure why, I just have a feeling...

You're probably right. Clermont's squad looks outstanding and Tolouse will always take some stopping. That said its such a good competition I wouldnt rule Leinster out again especially if they can secure a home Qtr.

Those are probably my 3 favourites going into this year. But given the Group Tolouse have been given it may favour them this year......

I actually think if the Ospreys can get out of their group they have a good chance. Its not the easiest Group around but I guess they are used to tough pools by now.

Hello Osprey fans,

I'll be watching your season with great interest!

Im a Dragons fan Hersh. These are just my views as a Neutral.

Out of interest, don't you support Bath?

Everyone knows I have a very soft spot for the Ospreys

Interestingly the BBC have just posted an artical about Gav and Johnson talking. I was told last week that Cuddy and Johson were talking about the same topic, SJ saying he didn't want Henson back and Cuddy saying I pay the wages, do as your told!!!! Will be interesting to see if Gav comes back, will Johnson walk? Also is this a bad thing???

HERSH, I bet you've been watching The Batchelor haven't you?

the only thing id add to this post is i think thyl start bearman at 8 with thomas at 6 for the start of the season

HKC I'm hooked

Team named today I Presume? To face a Leinster team missing 14 players to WC, and at least 4 more to injury before a ball is kicked in anger.

Ospreys massive favourites at home. I would love to nick one over there to get our season up and running.

Will the Swans getting into the top flight in soccer affect the numbers going to Ospreys games?

It's out Jennifer:

15 Richard Fussell
14 Kristian Phillips
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Ashley Beck
11 Hanno Dirksen
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb

1 Duncan Jones
2 Mefin Davies
3 Cai Griffiths
4 Ian Gough
5 Ian Evans
6 Tom Smith
7 Justin Tipuric (Capt)
8 Jonathan Thomas

Replacements

16 Matthew Dwyer
17 Ken Dowding
18 Joe Rees
19 James King
20 Morgan Allen
21 Tom Isaacs
22 Matthew Morgan
23 Sonny Parker

Our season will depend on how much rugby we can get from duncam meifin gough evans tupric and bearman when the test players are away

And how quickly beck dirksen webb can prodouce week in week out.

The top 15 is imo

james
hibbard
adam

awj
r jones

jt/bearman
tupric
gough

fotuali
biggar

shane

beck
bishop

bowe

fussell

big pressure on bowe and shane to score our trys cos there aint that much sparkle in the backline other wise