Ospreys v Connacht Friday 30/09/11 UPDATED

The Ospreys will be looking to continue their winning streak in the Rabo Pro 12 when they host Connacht this Friday at the Liberty Stadium. Kick off is at 7:30pm, but unfortunately it's not being televised.

OSPREYS

15 Barry Davies
14 Richard Fussell
13 Tom Isaacs
12 Andrew Bishop
11 Hanno Dirksen
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb


1 Duncan Jones
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Aaron Jarvis
4 Ian Gough
5 Ian Evans
6 Tom Smith
7 Justin Tipuric (Capt)
8 Jonathan Thomas


Replacements:
16 Mefin Davies
17 Cai Griffiths
18 Joe Rees
19 James King
20 Joe Bearman
21 Matthew Morgan
22 Sonny Parker
23 Kristian Phillips

REFEREE: Stefano Penne

CONNACHT:

15 Gavin Duffy (C)
14 Brian Tuohy
13 Eoin Griffin
12 Henry Fa'afili
11 Tiernan O'Halloran
10 Niall O'Connor
9 Frank Murphy

1 Brett Wilkinson
2 Ethienne Reynecke
3 Dylan Rogers
4 Michael Swift
5 Mike McCarthy
6 TJ Anderson
7 Johnny O'Connor
8 John Muldoon

Replacements:
16 Adrian Flavin
17 Ronan Loughney
18 Stewart Maguire
19 Dave Gannon
20 Ray Ofisa
21 Paul O'Donohoe
22 Matthew Jarvis
23 James Loxton

Been a bit pessimistic with the last couple of games so going to thwart my own habit and go for a strong and comfortable home win on Friday. I don't expect a 4 try bonus point but i do think it will be comfortable. Hoping that Bearman starts so we can have a proper look at him. What about giving young MM a start as well? He's not going to learn much playing 10 minutes of a game already in the bag i don't think!

Shame on the TV rights holders for not broadcasting a top of the table clash!

Ospreys should be alright. Connacht might have been hopeful of catching them on the hop, but that already happened with a tougher than expected Edinburgh match, so they won't be so complacent this time round. Bad news for Connacht in that regard, shafted once more by Michael Bradley...

Ospreys dealt with Leinster with aplomb and Ulster without fuss, so they will be quietly confident while saying all the usual platitudes about Connacht being a tough opponent.

Interesting side angle will be the return of Matthew Jarvis, he'll be out to impress if he's given the nod ahead of NOC.

The beard-stroking verdict: Home win, no LBP, possible TBP.

Wow! You can tell the Irish think Connaght are important, they didn't even insist on an Irish referee for this one!

Looks like we have the same Italian guy who refereed our last home game against Connaght in February, when we got a bonus point win.

...never mind...

Connacht team named:

15 Gavin Duffy (C)
14 Brian Tuohy
13 Eoin Griffin
12 Henry Fa'afili
11 Tiernan O'Halloran
10 Niall O'Connor
9 Frank Murphy
1 Brett Wilkinson
2 Ethienne Reynecke
3 Dylan Rogers
4 Michael Swift
5 Mike McCarthy
6 TJ Anderson
7 Johnny O'Connor
8 John Muldoon

16 Adrian Flavin
17 Ronan Loughney
18 Stewart Maguire
19 Dave Gannon
20 Ray Ofisa
21 Paul O'Donohoe
22 Matthew Jarvis
23 James Loxton


Jarvis doesn't get the start against his old team, bet he'll be chomping at the bit to come off the bench.

Leinster old (young) boy Stewart Maguire on the bench, should be interesting.

Cheers Greybeard...thread duly updated.

Ospreys team announced as above...I don't think it's changed from last week really.

I have to say that I am very impressed that the Ospreys can field an entirely match day 22 that are all Welsh. How many other teams in this day and age can do this during a world cup and still be unbeaten. Well done Ospreys

15 Barry Davies
14 Richard Fussell
13 Tom Isaacs
12 Andrew Bishop
11 Hanno Dirksen
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb

1 Duncan Jones
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Aaron Jarvis
4 Ian Gough
5 Ian Evans
6 Tom Smith
7 Justin Tipuric (Capt)
8 Jonathan Thomas

Replacements:
16 Mefin Davies
17 Cai Griffiths
18 Joe Rees
19 James King
20 Joe Bearman
21 Matthew Morgan
22 Sonny Parker
23 Kristian Phillips

The following players were not considered because of injury:

James Goode - Groin
Craig Cross - Knee
Gareth Owen - ACL
Nikki Walker - Medial Ligament
Ross Jones - Ankle
Ashley Beck - Shoulder

Head Coach, Sean Holley, commented:

"We are getting the outcome on the scoreboard but there is still plenty for us to work on. We are tweaking a few things and ever trying to improve the players we've got.

"We're quite a young group, mixed with some experienced fellas, and it's important that we keep pushing the standards and getting things right. Even though the scoreboard has been taking care of itself, aspects of our game haven't been spot on.

"The most promising thing for us is we are fielding 22 guys who are Welsh and Hanno who will soon qualify for Wales. There's a good mix in terms of age and experience in the group.

"Connacht are a really tenacious side, well coached and well drilled. They lose very few at these sort of periods and it makes them a tough proposition. They've got a good start so they're on the bounce.

"The fact that we're at home is good for us, to go give us a bit of momentum, the fact that the game isn't on TV is a plus for us as hopefully it'll give us a bit more of a walk-up crowd, to support a team that is winning, that is playing well. Our crowd this season has been nothing short of fantastic. There's been a real core I think, and you can see a huge amount of passion. They are getting behind this group, they realise what we are doing and they are joining in."

Rock on boys lets stuff another Irish team at home!

For me I think that Ospreys pack with the return of Hibbard will be too strong for Connacht over 80 mins.

I think if they get enough ball Biggar will likely control how and where the game is played. His penatly taking at the moment is top draw as well so fair play to him. I'll be more interested to see if he can free his backline a little bit more.

Don't think a try bonus is on the cards though as it could take the ospreys 50 or 60 minutes before they pull away from Connacht.

Game will be on the radio folks...

http://www.galwaynews.ie/galwaybayfm

just click on "listen live"

No TV because this game was rescheduled, it was originally supposed to be on Sunday.

Yes quite shocked it's not on. Never mind I'll be there
Looking for the O's to start putting a performance together that has more positives than negatives. I honestly believe we haven't done that yet. I know we have won our games, and for that I'm grateful. But I would like to see 80 mins of quality rugby, getting the basics right, dominating our set piece and providing a platform for what I think is a very potient back line to create and exploit the gaps. We'll see?

There's also score updates on BBC Radio Wales, but they won't be broadcasting it live.

Greybeard - is that in English or Irish?

Cari wrote:There's also score updates on BBC Radio Wales, but they won't be broadcasting it live.

Greybeard - is that in English or Irish?

Both, kinda.

As in, English, but with a very thick Irish accent

Oh I can cope with that having listened to the GAA on the radio enough.

Well if you could follow that you should have no probs!

Hope Baz Davies has a better game than last week. Thought he was poor, altho he's been out for a while. Taking my 5yr old to his first game. Only a quid for him!

You'd get much more for him on the black market.

Just sayin'

8 mins gone, Ospreys over the line already. Touched down in the corner and a tight conversion.

7 - 0

Connacht butcher an overlap, sounded good, they've got hands these young Connacht backs, but that was just a bit sloppy.

Two tries in two weeks for the former Harlequin and now captain fantastic, Gavin Duffy.

Touchline conversion, we've got a game on here folks! 7 - 7.

Penalty for Brett Wilkinson losing his bind, kickable penalty...

And it's over, 10 - 7, 30 mins gone

Thanks for the updates Greybeard. There's been no score updates on Scrum V!

You've got the radio link, though, yeah?

http://vista.streamguys.com/galwaybayfm

Cheers Grey - it works!!!

The commentators don't sound too happy with the ref?

Gwaaan O's!! Dirksen under the posts for the O's. 17 - 7.

Penalty for Connacht just before HT. 17 - 10.

I'm off eating dinner. Cari's in charge

Score still 17 - 10 at HT. Scrum V finally show a score for this game... 15 - 7

Whats the latest ?

Still half time.

Cheers Grey

Is it? or is it just still HT on Galway Radio so they can yap about hurling?

Seems to be, Cari.

Second half starts. Adrian Flavin on for Reynecke, Griffin off as well, replaced by Connacht's German signing James Loxton.

NOC misses a penalty, still 17 - 10

I've still got two fellas on about the hurling?!

Text updates here:

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchdaylive/

They're STILL blydi yapping!!!! Is the rugby coming back?

Yay! The rugby's back on the radio....still no new score. O's got a yellow for something. Don't know who it was...might have been Gough.

Yellow for an Osprey. Someone's getting punchy.

Tipuric

Interesting 10 minutes ahead. Ospreys are a better team, but 14 v 15 might even things up a little

Was it? Jebus...he's captain.

Connacht almost get a yellow...but they don't get a card, just concede the penalty.

Connacht escape a yellow for a trip

Like, allegedy, y'know.

20 - 10 after a Biggar penalty.

And Loxton off after only a handful of minutes. Former Osprey Jarvis is on.

And a Connacht try! Back within an LBP.

If anyone has Gavin Duffy on their fantasy rugby team they'll be well rewarded today, that's his second try.

Duffy scores for Connacht. Difficult conversion tho. 20 - 15.