Ospreys v Leinster RP12 - Post Match debate

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OSPREYS (9) 19
Tries: Walker Cons: Morgan Pens: Morgan (3) Drop-goal: Morgan

LEINSTER (10) 10
Tries: Auva'a Cons: Madigan Pens: Madigan

Eli Walker's spectacular try gave Ospreys a hard-fought Pro12 win over European champions Leinster.
One point separated the sides at the break after three Matthew Morgan penalties followed a converted Leo Auva'a try and an Ian Madigan penalty.
Richard Fussell sliced through the Leinster defence from deep in his own half, timing his pass perfectly for lively wing Walker to score.

Morgan converted and added a drop-goal to deny Leinster a losing bonus point.
Ospreys were often on the back foot against a powerful Leinster pack, but showed tenacity in defence and a touch of flair to capitalise on a rare break.
It gave the Welsh side their sixth win from the last seven meetings with the Irish province and took them above the visitors to fifth place in the table.

Ospreys fly-half Matthew Morgan lands a late penalty to deny Leinster a losing bonus point
They rode their luck at times, and were fortunate to escape as early as the seventh minute when a try slipped through Fionn Carr's fingers when the Leinster winger failed to hold onto the ball while sliding towards the left corner.

But the visitors pounced from the resulting line-out after charging down the attempted clearance kick from Ospreys scrum-half Rhys Webb.

The ball spun towards the posts, evading the grasp of home centre Andrew Bishop, and Leinster number eight Auva'a gathered up with glee to score.
Video referee Nigel Whitehouse gave the try despite the suspicion of a knock-on, and Madigan converted.

Two Morgan penalties cut the deficit as Ospreys began to make inroads, but they needed Walker's intervention to deny Leinster a second try when Andrew Conway chased his own chip kick.
Another let-off soon followed when Madigan pulled a simple kick at goal wide, but Morgan's aim was true as he added a third penalty with the final kick of an even first half.

Webb was the next to save the home side early after the break, clinging on by his fingertips to Madigan's shirt with the try-line in the fly-half's sights.
Leinster were on top at this stage, benefiting from their numerical advantage following a yellow card to home prop Duncan Jones.

But a moment of magic from Fussell ripped open the Leinster defence for Walker's decisive try.

Full-back Fussell received a quickly taken line-out in his own 22 and sliced through the lethargic chasing defenders, finding a clear path into the opposition half.
Walker, the most dangerous player on show with ball in hand, was perfectly placed to receive Fussell's pass as he drew the final Leinster cover.

Morgan converted, putting Ospreys 16-10 ahead, and Jones's return from the sin bin was another boost as the game entered the final 20 minutes.
Leinster continued to enjoy forward dominance, but enterprising back play took Ospreys within drop-goal territory and Morgan made no mistake to take his side two scores clear with five minutes remaining.

TEAM DETAILS

Ospreys: Fussell; H. Dirksen, Isaacs, Bishop, Walker; Morgan, Webb; D. Jones, Dwyer, Rees, Peers, J. Thomas, Stowers, Lewis, Bearman.
Replacements: M. Thomas for Lewis (54), Fotuali'i for Webb (57), King for Peers (59), Lewis for M. Thomas (62), Allen for Bearman (77).
Not Used: Ellis, Suter, Spratt, R. Jones.
Sin Bin: D. Jones (51).
Leinster: D. Kearney; Conway, Macken, Goodman, Carr; Madigan, Boss; Van der Merwe, T. Sexton, Hagan, Browne, Toner, Ruddock, Jennings, L. Auva'a, Marshall.
Replacements: Marshall for Browne (26), Murphy for Marshall (65), Moore for Hagan (68), Tracy for Auva'a (77), J. McGrath for Van der Merwe (77)
Not Used: Cooney, Reid, Coghlan-Murray.
Att: 9,246
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
Assistant r eferees: Neil Nennessy, Wayne Davies (both WRU)
Citing c ommissioner: Dennis Jones (WRU)
TMO: Nigel Whitehouse (WRU)
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Ospreys TEAM

15 Richard Fussell

14 Hanno Dirksen

13 Tom Isaacs

12 Andrew Bishop

11 Eli Walker

10 Matthew Morgan

9 Rhys Webb

1 Duncan Jones

2 Matthew Dwyer

3 Joe Rees

4 Lloyd Peers

5 Jonathan Thomas (Capt)

6 George Stowers

7 Sam Lewis

8 Joe Bearman

REPLACEMENTS

16 Arthur Ellis

17 Marc Thomas

18 Daniel Suter

19 James King

20 Morgan Allen

21 Kahn Fotuali'i

22 Jonathan Spratt

23 Ross Jones

Matthew Dwyer makes his first Ospreys start

Lloyd Peers makes his first RaboDirect PRO12 start

Arthur Ellis, Marc Thomas and Daniel Suter will all make their Ospreys debuts if they come off the bench

Nine players are away on international duty

The following players were not considered because of injury:

Adam Jones - Knee

Scott Baldwin - Shoulder

Tom Smith - Groin

Tom Habberfield - Ankle

Ian Gough has been unavailable to play whilst undergoing tests and treatment for an ongoing medical problem. The latest discussion with specialists has been positive and suggests Ian could potentially be available to play again in the next few weeks, pending further tests and consultation next week.

Backs Coach, Gruff Rees, said:

"November is going to be a big month for us, as is always the case. With international players away, it's always a challenge, and a great opportunity for some of our younger players to stand up and show what they are capable of.

"As someone who has done a lot of work with the younger players in my previous time with the Ospreys, I'm looking forward to the games this month. With two LV= Cup games to follow then two more PRO12 matches, it's a crucial time of the season and it's important that the work we've done in preparing for this period bears fruit.

"Last season's title success was driven by the core group of players who were around in the international periods, who got that great six game winning start to the season to put us in a great position, beat a full strength Munster in November and kept things going in February. We need these players to step up to the mark in the same way.

"It's a great opportunity for guys coming in and show that they are good enough to be Ospreys. It's at times like this that players such as Justin Tipuric, Ryan Bevington and Ashley Beck have excelled in recent seasons and they've used it to kick on and establish themselves with both their region and their country. We'll be expecting some of the players involved this month to have a similar impact so it's exciting as coaches and players, and I'd expect our supporters to feel the same.

"We know that Leinster may have an unfamiliar look to their team this weekend but we also know that as European champions they have real strength in depth and whatever players wear their shirt we will be in for a real test. As with any match, our preparation is all about focusing on our own game and ensuring that we are ready, are precise and accurate in what we do, and we know that if we get that right, we should get the kind of performance we want."

Leinster Team News

The Leinster team to face the Ospreys in Sunday afternoon's RaboDirect PRO12 clash in the Liberty Stadium (KO: 4pm, LIVE RTE1) has been named...Andrew Goodman will make his debut for the province at inside centre in a team which shows wholesale changes from the team which defeated the Cardiff Blues last weekend. David Kearney is one of only two player who remain in the backline and he moves to full-back with Andrew Conway and Fionn Carr named on the wings.
Ireland scrum-half Isaac Boss (who makes his 55th appearance) partners Ian Madigan at half back, with the latter shifting from full-back where he has featured in recent weeks.

Shane Jennings leads the team and he is named in the back-row alongside number eight Leo Auva'a and Rhys Ruddock who made his first senior appearance this season in last weekend's Round 7 fixture.

Damian Browne partners Devin Toner, who is set to make his 107th appearance for his home province.

The replacements bench comprises completely of Leinster Academy products.

LEINSTER:

15: David Kearney
14: Andrew Conway
13: Brendan Macken
12: Andrew Goodman
11: Fionn Carr
10: Ian Madigan
9: Isaac Boss

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Thomas Sexton
3: Jamie Hagan
4: Damian Browne
5: Devin Toner
6: Rhys Ruddock
7: Shane Jennings CAPTAIN
8: Leo Auva'a

REPLACEMENTS:

16: James Tracy
17: Jack McGrath
18: Martin Moore
19: Ben Marshall
20: Jordi Murphy
21: John Cooney
22: Noel Reid
23: Sam Coghlan-Murray

Considering the time of the season that is a pretty good Ospreys side, the backs are not a mile off a first choice set (beck, and possibly biggar), but the front five is looking pretty weak in comparison to the first choice, but still not too bad.

Joe Rees is rated very highly by Adam Jones, though he is definitely our third choice Tighthead and seen as a player for the future. Dwyer making his first start for the region will be bolstered and comforted by playing alongside Duncan Jones, who is having a re-juvinated season.

Lloyd Peers and JT are very untried at this level... Line out could be a big worry as Leinster look quite strong in the front five and always have a good set piece. Hopefully Ospreys will be smart enough to not rely on the set piece as much as they would with their first string XV.

Backs look capable, Dirksen and Walker are having good seasons, Rhys Webb and Morgan are a nippy fast halfback pairing.

The BBC's point of view

Joe Bearman believes the Ospreys' young guns are ready to fill the boots of their team-mates away on Welsh international Test duty.
The Pro12 champions host Leinster at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.
The Ospreys have 10 players in Wales training ahead of the autumn Test series at the Millennium Stadium.
"We will miss the international players massively but having the boys coming through gives us a buzz around the place," said Bearman.
Ashley Beck, Dan Biggar, Ryan Bevington, Aaron Jarvis, Richard Hibbard, Ian Evans, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones and Justin Tipuric have all been named in caretaker coach Rob Howley's 35-man Wales squad.
But Bearman points to promising wing Eli Walker and fly-half Mathew Morgan as a couple of young Ospreys players to watch.
The former Newport Gwent Dragons player is part of an Ospreys squad which has won their last four Pro12 games and the number eight is confident the champions have the squad to cover the loss of some key players.
"We are losing a lot of players, but it was the same three or four years ago," said Bearman.
"Those players were coming in for the other internationals then.
"It's the only way you blood young players and bring them through. This club does that in abundance if you look at the internationals we provide each year.
"I like it because you see the young players coming training and they are keen and it picks everyone up."
Tight-head prop Adam Jones was also originally named in the Wales squad, but has fallen victim to a knee injury.
Leinster will head for Swansea hoping for revenge in the wake of the Ospreys' 2011/12 Pro12 final win in Dublin.
The current European champions have not won at the Liberty Stadium since September 2009.
The defending champions have won their last four games in the tournament after a shaky start, while Leinster have won their last four matches in all competitions.
Only Ulster have won in Swansea during the last eight visits by the Irish provinces and that was their 16-13 victory on 8 September 2012.
Leinster have won their last four matches in all competitions since their defeat at Connacht on 28 September - but have lost two of their last three away games in the RaboDirect.
But the Dubliners have won their last three encounters with Welsh regions, and have been victorious in four of their last five visits to Wales in all tournaments.
Ospreys only reversal in their last five clashes with Leinster was 10-15 at the RDS on 7 January 2011.
Hooker Matthew Dwyer makes his first Ospreys start and lock Lloyd Peers makes his first RaboDirect PRO12 start.
Arthur Ellis, Marc Thomas and Daniel Suter will all make their Ospreys debuts if they come off the bench
While Adam Jones (knee), Scott Baldwin (shoulder), Tom Smith (groin), Tom Habberfield (ankle) and Ian Gough were not considered due to injury and illness.
Andrew Goodman will make his Leinster debut at inside centre in a team which shows wholesale changes from the team which defeated the Cardiff Blues last weekend.
David Kearney is one of only two player who remain in the backline and he moves to full-back with Andrew Conway and Fionn Carr named on the wings.
Ireland scrum-half Isaac Boss, who makes his 55th appearance, partners Ian Madigan at half back.
Shane Jennings leads the team and is in the back-row alongside number eight Leo Auva'a and Rhys Ruddock, while Damian Browne partners Devin Toner, who is set to make his 107th appearance for his home province, in the engine room.

Interesting to see Arthur Ellis in the Ospreys squad (assuming he is the same one not considered good enough to play for Dragons).

That looks a very weak Ospreys pack and they may struggle against Leinster (even though Rees looks promising and Dunc is a lump) - Is Baldwin injured?

I think it may be a stuggle for the Ospreys.

Was hoping O'Malley would be involved. Bent really would have been a good addition here so maybe we could go have gone after their tight 5.

Fingers crossed we can sneak a win there

Smirnoffpriest wrote:That looks a very weak Ospreys pack and they may struggle against Leinster (even though Rees looks promising and Dunc is a lump) - Is Baldwin injured?

I think it may be a stuggle for the Ospreys.

Baldwin has a shoulder injury.

Advantage Ospreys!

I see schmidt is throwing the game...better off as it would be embarrassing to be beaten (again) with a strong team.

DOD has posted.

Advantage Leinster...

DOD wrote:I see schmidt is throwing the game...better off as it would be embarrassing to be beaten (again) with a strong team.

Oh you seem to be forgetting that Ireland are playing next week.

Cheers Maes - do you know how long he's out for?

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

DOD wrote:I see schmidt is throwing the game...better off as it would be embarrassing to be beaten (again) with a strong team.

Oh you seem to be forgetting that Ireland are playing next week.

Dont think it matters and Schmidt knows that....good excuse to have though

DOD wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

DOD wrote:I see schmidt is throwing the game...better off as it would be embarrassing to be beaten (again) with a strong team.

Oh you seem to be forgetting that Ireland are playing next week.

Dont think it matters and Schmidt knows that....good excuse to have though

Of course it doesn't. So why are Munster sending out a weakend team?

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

DOD wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

DOD wrote:I see schmidt is throwing the game...better off as it would be embarrassing to be beaten (again) with a strong team.

Oh you seem to be forgetting that Ireland are playing next week.

Dont think it matters and Schmidt knows that....good excuse to have though

Of course it doesn't. So why are Munster sending out a weakend team?

Given the performances of any of our teams so far this season...its hard to tell what is weak or not...

DOD wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

DOD wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

DOD wrote:I see schmidt is throwing the game...better off as it would be embarrassing to be beaten (again) with a strong team.

Oh you seem to be forgetting that Ireland are playing next week.

Dont think it matters and Schmidt knows that....good excuse to have though

Of course it doesn't. So why are Munster sending out a weakend team?

Given the performances of any of our teams so far this season...its hard to tell what is weak or not...

Ye that makes sense.

International window is 'massive' opportunity

2 November 2012 10:15am
By Ospreys Rugby

Photo: Huw Evans Agency
With the international contingent absent, the Ospreys will be looking to a number of younger players to step up during November and take their opportunity to shine for the region, and one of the players currently away at the Spala training camp in Poland is urging those still at Llandarcy to look to follow in his footsteps.

Centre Ashley Beck was just 17 years and 222 days old when, five years ago, he came off the bench to become the youngest ever Osprey in a Magners League clash against Leinster on the same weekend that Wales were defeated by newly crowned world champs South Africa at the Millennium Stadium.
His brief introduction to senior rugby saw him go head-to-head with Leinster legend Brian O'Driscoll for the first time, and over the following seasons the majority of his time in an Ospreys shirt came during the various international windows, until such was his form at the start of last season during the Rugby World Cup period that he was able to firmly establish himself in the starting XV with his first international call-up duly following.

With three caps coming during the summer tour to Australia, 22-year old Beck will be absent from the Ospreys during this international window, but he says it's a great opportunity for others to make their mark.

"This time of the year is massive for younger players coming through" said Beck.

"You know as a young player at the Ospreys that when the international period comes around there'll be a lot of players away, and that's when you need to take your opportunity.

"I was lucky to get some experience against Leinster as a 17-year old, which was brilliant. Over the next few years then, I was playing for Aberavon throughout the season with the chance to play again for the Ospreys during the different international breaks, and that really helped me to kick on as a player.

"Playing in the PRO12 against the likes of Edinburgh, Connacht, Glasgow and the Dragons was great experience. The LV= Cup is also great, I've been involved in some brilliant games against the likes of Leicester and Bath, giving me a taste of something different."

Now firmly established as a key player at the region, Beck is in no doubt of the value of the experience gained in the international periods.

"I'd definitely agree that it's helped me become a better player. Stepping up from the Premiership to train and play with senior Ospreys, and to play against better players, can only make you better.

"I'm fortunate to be away with Wales now, and there will be players coming into the group at the Ospreys now who are in the same position as I've been over the last few years. It's an exciting time with people desperate to learn and to impress the coaches, and you know that whatever happens there'll be one or two players that people haven't heard of who will show up well and get supporters talking. That's always the way.

"If you do well during the window it can be huge for you."

I see some Irish fans are expecting a easy Ospreys win, and some Welsh fans expecting the same for Leinster.

This is a very fast and mobile Ospreys team, I don't know much about the Leinster players but if their a big solid pack then they should win.

The Ospreys scrum has been horrific this season, but mostly that is down to Jarvis at tight head, thankfully Gatland has taken him away with Wales, so Jo Rees gets a crack at tight head. He was fantastic last season even giving over 80 cap Italian international prop Salvatore Perugini a real hiding. I'vee no idea what he has done wrong this season to warrant being shunted to third choice.

Stowers was shocking last season, maybe even bordering on embarrassing at times, but this season he has looked hungry and determined, so I'm happy he's playing (his contract is up at the end of the season).

I'm a bit worried about Sam Lewis to be honest the Ospreys coaches rave about him, but whatever they are seeing the fans are not, he looks light weight and anonymous most of the time.

I'm also worried about our potential defense, Sam Lewis is small, so is Morgan, and Fussell at full back can't tackle, Eli Walker doesn't do defense or wet weather either, if Leinster dominate the Ospreys up front they won't have too much trouble racking tries up.

Alun we'll have to see.

I'm surprised at your comments re our scrum most people would say it was our scrum that beat Scarlets Munster Treviso Zabre and Connacht, they also kept Leicester in a draw for 80% of the game at welford road.

I haven't seen Jarvis as a weakness at all.

maestegmafia wrote:Alun we'll have to see.

I'm surprised at your comments re our scrum most people would say it was our scrum that beat Scarlets Munster Treviso Zabre and Connacht, they also kept Leicester in a draw for 80% of the game at welford road.

I haven't seen Jarvis as a weakness at all.

MM +1

Shifty wrote:I see some Irish fans are expecting a easy Ospreys win, and some Welsh fans expecting the same for Leinster.

Really? Like who?

Pot Hale wrote:

Shifty wrote:I see some Irish fans are expecting a easy Ospreys win, and some Welsh fans expecting the same for Leinster.

Really? Like who?

Yes I agree Pot...! I haven't seen either.

Hi guys can you get this live on the S4C website outside Wales? Cheers.

I don't think so

Try it Rodders. I'm in England, but I can still view it.

http://www.s4c.co.uk/clic/e_live.shtml

I always get matches on S4C and I'm in Ulster as well rodders, so don't think you'll have a problem getting it.

On the S4C site go 'Clic' then the tab that begins with 'Gwylio'

Thanks lads, seems to work

It must be accessible in the UK and Ireland then, or maybe just NI, unless you're outside of this area Artful?

Nope I'm in Belfast.

Finally back in my flat in Manhattan after sandy, curling up to watch this. Excited to see so many young irish lads in the leinster backs!

Even I'm not expecting an easy Ospreys win. We'll be fortunate to get any sort of win...gulp!

That's good to know.

I thought I tried s4c clic before to no avail...?

Sorry for tge misinfo mate...!

You not get rte Rodders?

Big Leinster contingent there.

Apologies to viewers...the S4C commentator just referred to David Toner...

wolfball wrote:Finally back in my flat in Manhattan after sandy, curling up to watch this. Excited to see so many young irish lads in the leinster backs!

Where abouts are you, I was at Colombia a long time ago, lived just off Bleeker street, have lived mid town too 7th and 56th.

My daughter is in Williamsburg

Cari wrote:Apologies to viewers...the S4C commentator just referred to David Toner...

Didn't notice...don't speak Welsh...

Is it on RTE Golden? They don't seem to be streaming it on the website?

Yeah on rte1 for a change not sure about the website

0-3 after three and a half minutes from a Madigan penalty.

Ah ok, not on the website, don't have RTE just now...need to get a HD freeview box to get the Irish channels.... had them through analog before they switched it off.

Ohhhh Carr should've scored that.

Taxi for Carr!

Excellent kick and chase, but Carr loses the ball before getting over the line. No try in the corner.

Arrrgh no! Ball goes loose, unlucky bounce for the O's and it's taken over the line. Possibly a try for Baby Chilli. TMO...

Does anyone else know why Webb would start this game given the way he's been playing this year? Looks as if he may have handed Leinster 7 points on a plate already.

Oh god Carr butchered that. Auvau gets it though from the osprey line out and crosses the whitewash. Possible knock on though

Flip this is comedy of errors! Looks like Auav'a knocked on!

Try given.

0 - 8 before conversion.

Try given, was close though.

hmmm....