Ospreys v NGD's 25/10 k.o 1905

Ospreys: Daniel Biggar; Jeff Hassler, Jonathan Spratt, Andrew Bishop, Eli Walker; Matthew Morgan, Tom Habberfield; Ryan Bevington, Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), James King, Tyler Ardron, Morgan Allen, Justin Tipuric.

Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Duncan Jones, Adam Jones, Lloyd Peers, Joe Bearman, Tito Tebaldi, Ben John, Sam Lewis.

Dragons: Dan Evans; Tom Prydie, Ross Wardle, Lewis Robling, Hallam Amos; Kris Burton, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, Sam Parry, Dan Way, Matthew Screech, Andrew Coombs (c), Jevon Groves, Lewis Evans, Toby Faletau Lewis Evans.

Replacements: Hugh Gustafson, Nathan Williams, Francisco Chaparro, Adam Jones, Ieuan Jones, Jonathan Evans, Will Harries, Adam Hughes.

Referee: Nigel Owens
Assistant Referees: Neil Hennessy, Jon Mason (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Dennis Jones (WRU )
TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)


Dan bigg @ full back eh?   Btw.. Allen at 8, tips at 7 not as per beebs usual guff reports.

Have they a few injuries in this area (15)?

Is Lewis Evans our 16th man to counter Nige being the 16th man for the Os?

Looking at the Ospreys bench, is that Sam Lewis the openside down where there would normally be a wide back? Are things really that bad, surely they could have called up Wales international wing/centre Daf Howells?

Also not too sure about Bigger at fullback and Morgan at fly half, I think it may have been better the other way around. But then again Morgan is going to be covering when Biggar is off with Wales so I guess it makes some sense.

C'mon Dragons

Why is Chaparro on the bench again ?

I'm not happy with Jevon at 6 and don't really rate him. Otherwise, it's an ok team from us. I'd start Taz too

Interesting team from Ospreys. Things we can work on. I do think Morgan will be at fullback more than ten though.

Jevon and Taz ?

What about it? Taz is a bit quicker to write than Chaparro or Tetaz Chaparro. Also easier to ensure I don't misspell it

Any news on Toveys injury? Guess Robling will move to 10 if need be.

Haha, Ospreys looking for some depth at 15 are they? It's about time as well.

Bedford, he got concussion in the second half against Bath, so they're not risking him. He's our best ten, but I'm still pleased we're doing what's best for the player's safety. The only thing I think we lose with Burton coming in is Tovey's eye for a gap and he's probably a better playmaker, but if it's a tight game, his goalkicking could be crucial. (If Biggar's put off his goalkicking by playing out of position, I won't be sad!)

Risca Rev wrote:What about it? Taz is a bit quicker to write than Chaparro or Tetaz Chaparro. Also easier to ensure I don't misspell it

I was merely asking who you meant dude, keep your knickers on. Also, Jevon wasn't listed on the team sheet

Also, I'm looking forward to seeing Wardle and Robling as a centre pairing again. They worked really well against Munster last season.

munkian wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:What about it? Taz is a bit quicker to write than Chaparro or Tetaz Chaparro. Also easier to ensure I don't misspell it

I was merely asking who you meant dude, keep your knickers on. Also, Jevon wasn't listed on the team sheet

Didn't mean to come across as frosty. I did think you were going to imply that I was acting a bit over familiar with them though. I only stalk my favourite Jason Mason  

I didn't know Jevon wasn't named. I thought he was all along.

According to the Beeb, Jevon Groves is starting. And we're fielding two Lewis Evanses in a four-man back row.

Gotta love the beeb!

I'll be interested to see our tactics regarding Biggar. Do we test him in the air? I would, to see if he has the minerals at fullback. However, if he's safe under the high ball we need to cease that tactic ASAP as we know the boy has got a decent boot on him, and he'll just peg us back all game. But we gotta try first to let him know we're trying to expose him.

I'd be tempted to kick to space either side of him and behind him - not sure he's got the pace of an out and out fullback so we may be able to close him down and pressure him. Burton likes a kicking game so this tactic might suit him!

I'm not happy that Matthew Morgan's playing. Yes, we can test his defence, but he's such a threat with ball in hand.

Anyone know what the weather is up to ?

Yeh it could be a 'boot off' tonight between Burton n Dan..  Hope not..

Its forecast to pish down at around 1600 ish but dry by k.o with no more rain due. Bp secured by HT for the Os then... 

Griff wrote:Gotta love the beeb!

I'll be interested to see our tactics regarding Biggar. Do we test him in the air? I would, to see if he has the minerals at fullback. However, if he's safe under the high ball we need to cease that tactic ASAP as we know the boy has got a decent boot on him, and he'll just peg us back all game. But we gotta try first to let him know we're trying to expose him.

I'd be tempted to kick to space either side of him and behind him - not sure he's got the pace of an out and out fullback so we may be able to close him down and pressure him. Burton likes a kicking game so this tactic might suit him!

It's going to be in vain. Biggar is superb under the high ball, and if he boots it back then the ball is likely to reach our 5 metre line. A shorter kick directly behind him could be a better option.

Poor kicking was largely to blame for our defeat at home to the Os last season (or was it the season before?). We would clear our lines but kick infield, and Biggar would just pin us back in our 22 again. Then Lewis Robling got charged down and Ashley Beck scored the try that made the difference.

The Saint wrote:

Griff wrote:Gotta love the beeb!

I'll be interested to see our tactics regarding Biggar. Do we test him in the air? I would, to see if he has the minerals at fullback. However, if he's safe under the high ball we need to cease that tactic ASAP as we know the boy has got a decent boot on him, and he'll just peg us back all game. But we gotta try first to let him know we're trying to expose him.

I'd be tempted to kick to space either side of him and behind him - not sure he's got the pace of an out and out fullback so we may be able to close him down and pressure him. Burton likes a kicking game so this tactic might suit him!

It's going to be in vain. Biggar is superb under the high ball, and if he boots it back then the ball is likely to reach our 5 metre line. A shorter kick directly behind him could be a better option.

I got to agree with you on that one, the best tactic has to be to try and turn him as much as possible, as he is not as nippy as a fullback should be. Although if that is a tactic does work then you will see Morgan dropping back and Biggar back at fly half.

The Saint wrote:

Griff wrote:Gotta love the beeb!

I'll be interested to see our tactics regarding Biggar. Do we test him in the air? I would, to see if he has the minerals at fullback. However, if he's safe under the high ball we need to cease that tactic ASAP as we know the boy has got a decent boot on him, and he'll just peg us back all game. But we gotta try first to let him know we're trying to expose him.

I'd be tempted to kick to space either side of him and behind him - not sure he's got the pace of an out and out fullback so we may be able to close him down and pressure him. Burton likes a kicking game so this tactic might suit him!

It's going to be in vain. Biggar is superb under the high ball, and if he boots it back then the ball is likely to reach our 5 metre line. A shorter kick directly behind him could be a better option.

Yeah, that's why I said that if he turns out to be great under the high ball (on the day, and not like at RP when he's come unstuck and got flustered on the day) then another tactic would be to kick to space and test his pace. He seems pacy enough when making breaks from 10, but as SS suggests putting it behind him and making him turn will be a bit different for him and positionally we may be able to catch him out. I rate the lad highly so I'm not confident it will work, but you've got to try to expose any weakness or unfamiliarity with a role.

But for me the key is to try it first, but to have the sense to change it if it's not working. Too often in the past the Dragons (and Wales come to think of it) have been too slow to change tactics, or not at all, and we end up toast.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I'm not happy that Matthew Morgan's playing. Yes, we can test his defence, but he's such a threat with ball in hand.

If I was Kingsley or Lyn I would get Faletau and Lewis running at him full pelt as soon as poss.

Yeah, hopefully that 10 channel will see a lot of traffic from us to expose any weakness there. But we need to get the ball first!

Biggar at Fullback...whaaa?  Not sure what to call with this match.  Lyn would love an away win against the O's for sure...

Anyone else watching...?

Nige's 100th Celtic League game.  

Of all the people to score...Prydie's in with a decent try.

0-5 at 3:52

Great work from Coombes, good try!

wales606 wrote:Great work from Coombes, good try!

It was.

Very quiet for a derby game. Should all be buzzing, particularly at the start.

I was thinking that Rev...maybe once the O's get going the home crowd will wake up a bit.

3-7 at 12:13.

WOOOOOO! What a run by Morgs!!! Tips finishes off the first O's try.  Super!!!

10-7 at 19:30

How on earth did Morgan do that? Great support from Tips

Poor poor defence Ross Wardle. Morgan shouldn't have got anywhere.

ooh this could be a try fest! Lovely!

Impressed with the Dragons so far

Biggar penalty edges the O's a little further...

13-7 at 29 minutes.

Good by Dragons taking points.

That was a very good DG. Might as well go for it. They've edged nearer now.

13-10 with six minutes to go in this first half.

Another Biggar penalty keeps the points ticking over...

16-10 at 38 minutes.

Alywyn in too bad a mood to talk to Phil Steele (don't blame him!)

16-10 at HT

AWJ has put his heart and soul into rugby and in particular playing for the Ospreys. After starting this season well the team has really let him down. His mood over the past few weeks tells me that he's thinking of leaving the O's, which I hope isn't the case.

Bevington's been turd in this game.

I think Aly is just frustrated and pished off about missing out in the Heino at the moment. I don't think he'll go unless his contract's up?

Morgs with a DG 19-10 at 45 minutes.

Woooop!  Lovely try number 2 for Tips!  

26-10 with the conversion at 46 minutes.

Tipuric showing off the full skill set now

Cari wrote:I think Aly is just frustrated and pished off about missing out in the Heino at the moment.  I don't think he'll go unless his contract's up?

Morgs with a DG 19-10 at 45 minutes.

Clermont and Glaws among some others are rumoured to be wanting to put in a bid for him. How long does have left on his contract?

I think his is up with a number of other Os at the end of this season Saint...

Now why did Biggar kick that? No one was chasing...well, except the Dragons fella.

Crikey Moses!  I thought Tips was in then with a hat trick...could still be an O's try coming though...ah no. Ieuan Jones carded, Dragons down to 14. Hope Toby's OK, but it doesn't look good. looks like he banged his head.

Let's be honest, he'd be nuts to stay at the Ospreys. Out of Europe after round one (realistically), poor manufactured atmosphere from the stands and less money than abroad.