Castres vs Ospreys Double Header

TEAM for tonight.

Ospreys: Sam Davies; Aisea Natoga, Tom Isaacs, Ben John, Jeff Hassler; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Ryan Bevington, Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis, Ian Evans, James King, Sam Lewis, Justin Tipuric, Ryan Jones (capt).
Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Marc Thomas, Dan Suter, Tyler Ardron, Morgan Allen, Tom Habberfield, Matthew Morgan, Tom Grabham.

might the most interesting double header. Castres looking good at the moment, away victory at Montpelier backed by a sweet crushing of Bayonne last weekend. appart from their wing Martial who is out a few weeks (injury while scoring Castres 6th try), most key players are there. will be interesting to see who starts at 10 as Kirckpatrick was on fire when Tales was on national duty. are the Ospreys missing anyone ?

whocares wrote:might the most interesting double header. Castres looking good at the moment, away victory at Montpelier backed by a sweet crushing of Bayonne last weekend. appart from their wing Martial who is out a few weeks (injury while scoring Castres 6th try), most key players are there. will be interesting to see who starts at 10 as Kirckpatrick was on fire when Tales was on national duty.  are the Ospreys missing anyone ?

Last week vs Glasgow our injury list was (added their positions too so you get a feel for who is in and out)

Dmitri Arhip – Achilles - 3
Dan Baker – Shoulder - 8
Andrew Bishop - Back - 12/13
Adam Jones - Calf - 3
Tom Smith – Knee - 6
Jonathan Spratt - Wrist - 12/13
Eli Walker - Hamstring - 11

Highlighted above are the first team players, we will see the return of the Welsh squad players

Ashley Beck - 12
Ryan Bevington - 1
Dan Biggar - 10
Ian Evans - 5
Richard Hibbard - 2
Aaron Jarvis - 3
Alun Wynn Jones - 4
Ryan Jones - 6 or 8
Justin Tipuric - 7

We can field a much better side than the last few weeks with 9 players back from the Welsh Squad. There is a lot of talk whether these players returning will have enough time to gel with the team before a huge do or die game like the one this weekend...?

Ospreys leave Wales and British and Irish Lions hooker Richard Hibbard on the bench for their Heineken Cup trip to French champions Castres on Friday.
Coach Steve Tandy recalls Wales autumn squad men Dan Biggar, Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Ryan Jones to start.
Fijian wing Aisea Natoga makes his tournament debut.
But Hibbard, who is poised to leave Ospreys at the end of the 2013-14 season, is on the bench as Scott Baldwin starts.
Injury continues to rule out tight-head prop Adam Jones (calf) while lock Ian Evans' partner is soon to give birth and he will remain at home while his team-mates travel to France.
Continue reading the main story
“
You do look at the seedings and wonder how the French champions can be the fourth seeds in the pool
”
Steve Tandy
Ospreys coach
Scrum-half Rhys Webb takes over from Tito Tebaldi with Tom Habberfield on the bench.
Canadian Tyler Ardron makes his first tournament start in a back-row including Wales and Lions caps Ryan Jones and Tipuric.
Prop Dan Suter would also make his Heineken Cup debut if he comes off the bench.
Wales centre Ashley Beck (hip) and wing Eli Walker (hamstring) are also among the players ruled out of contention by injury.
Tandy says facing the reigning French Top 14 title holders is tough and that doing so after Wales again played a fourth autumn Test - losing against Australia - puts them at a disadvantage.
"Facing the French champions back to back is always going to be a tough ask, but it's an exciting challenge that we are looking forward to," said Tandy.
"You do look at the seedings and wonder how the French champions can be the fourth seeds in the pool, but we can't dwell on things like that, we've got to just get on with the job.
"Obviously we've been hit by injuries again and preparation time has been hindered by the fourth international, but that's part of the challenge as a region.
"With players unavailable it provides opportunities for others and we've got boys who have put their hands up in recent weeks and who have earned the right to be involved."
Ospreys, who lie bottom of Pool 1 having lost their opening fixtures against Leinster and Northampton, host Castres in the return fixture on Friday, 13 December.
Leinster and Northampton also face each other twice over successive weekends.
TEAMS

Castres: TBC
Ospreys: Richard Fussell; Aisea Natoga; Tom Isaacs, Ben John, Jeff Hassler; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Ryan Bevington, Scott Baldwin, Aaron Jarvis, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), James King, Tyler Ardron, Ryan Jones, Justin Tipuric.
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Duncan Jones, Dan Suter, Morgan Allen, Sam Lewis, Tom Habberfield, Matthew Morgan, Tom Grabham.

I would be worried about your scrum Ospreys fans, Castres scrum is one of the best in the top 14 and Jarvis while decent can't play more than 40 minutes, where is Jo Rees? he isn't listed as injured.

IMO the scrum lost you the game against Glasgow last week.

Castres:

15 Brice Dulin
14 Marcel Garvey
13 Romain Cabannes (capt)
12 Paul Bonnefond
11 Remi Grosso

10 Daniel Kirkpatrick
9 Rory Kockott

1 Mihaita Lazar
2 Marc-Antoine Rallier
3 Karena Wihongi
4 Christophe Samson
5 Richie Gray
6 Ibrahim Diarra
7 Piula Faasalele
8 Pedrie Wannenburg

16 Michael Coetzee
17 Yannick Forestier
18 Anton Peikrishvili
19 Rodrigo Capo Ortega
20 Yannick Caballero
21 Julien Tomas
22 Seremaia Bai
23 Geoffrey Palis

Castres boss David Darricarrere has rung the changes to his starting XV for Friday's Heineken Cup clash with the Ospreys at Stade Pierre Antoine.

Amongst the backs there are two changes to the side that beat Bayonne last weekened with Marcel Garvey replacing Romain Martial on the right wing and Paul Bonnefond taking over at inside centre in place of Remi Lamerat.

Up front, Pedrie Wannenburg is the only survivor in the back row, shifting from the flank to number eight where he takes over from Antonie Claassen. This means that Piula Faasalele and Ibrahim Diarra will be the starting flankers for this encounter.

In the second row Christophe Samson replaces Rodrigo Capo Ortega and packs down alongside Richie Gray. There's also a new front row with hooker Marc-Antoine Rallier and props Karena Wihongi and Mihaita Lazar starting at the expense of Brice Mach, Anton Peikrishvili and Saimone Taumoepeau.

France international Yannick Forestier is also included amongst the replacements as well as Seremaia Bai, who was on duty for Fiji last weekend against the Barbarians.

Meanwhile, Ospreys coach Steve Tandy has made seven changes to his run-on side for this encounter, welcoming back several Wales internationals who were on duty against Australia last weekend.

The back-line has three changes to the side that lost at home to Glasgow last weekend. On the wing, Aisea Natoga takes over from Hanno Dirksen while Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb replace Sam Davies and Tito Tebaldi as the starting halfbacks.

In the forwards, Ryan Jones and Justin Tipuric are at number eight and openside flank respectively at the expense of Morgan Allen and Sam Lewis, who are both included on the replacements bench.

Alun Wyn Jones is back in the second row and as captain which means there is no place in the matchday squad for Lloyd Peers while Ryan Bevington starts at loosehead ahead of Duncan Jones, who is also riding pine.

The match will be significant for Aisea Natoga, who makes his Heineken Cup debut and Tyler Ardron who starts his first match in the tournament.

Tandy expects a daunting task against Castres.

"Facing the French champions back to back is always going to be a tough ask, but it's an exciting challenge that we are looking forward to," he said.

"You do look at the seedings and wonder how the French champions can be the fourth seeds in the pool, but we can't dwell on things like that, we've got to just get on with the job.

"Obviously we've been hit by injuries again and preparation time has been hindered by the fourth international, but that's part of the challenge as a region. With players unavailable it provides opportunities for others and we've got boys who have put their hands up in recent weeks and who have earned the right to be involved.

"Castres are back up at the top end of the table so their quality is absolutely clear. After a disappointing opening two rounds we know that we've got to put in some excellent performances over the next two weekends and that's what we are targeting.

"We know there's going to be a great atmosphere there as is always the case in France but we've got to stand up and be counted.

"Although training time for the Wales boys has been limited there's a great attitude and spirit among the group and we need to show the utmost professionalism as a group."

VinceWLB wrote:I would be worried about your scrum Ospreys fans, Castres scrum is one of the best in the top 14 and Jarvis while decent can't play more than 40 minutes, where is Jo Rees? he isn't listed as injured.

IMO the scrum lost you the game against Glasgow last week.

Not sure what the score is with Jo Rees? Ill have a look.

You are correct about the scrum and Aaron Jarvis. We were greatly weakened in the second half vs Glasgow when we changed front rows. Grant was having a great game for Glasgow in the scrum in particular and causing us many problems.

Castres have selected a very good team. Dulin at fullback is an exceptional talent and will be a big worry. Not looking like a vintage year for us unfortunately.

Ospreys out again, did not see the game I just know it was all kicks so thamk god I watched the Blues game. I suspect spirit is low at the Ospreys as they know the region is starting to fall appart with their best players looking for pastures new.

glamorganalun wrote:Ospreys out again, did not see the game I just know it was all kicks so thamk god I watched the Blues game. I suspect spirit is low at the Ospreys as they know the region is starting to fall appart with their best players looking for pastures new.

Huw Bennett tweeted that they did ok at HT and FT. Sounded quite battling. Must be hard when they were already out.

Risca Rev wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:Ospreys out again, did not see the game I just know it was all kicks so thamk god I watched the Blues game. I suspect spirit is low at the Ospreys as they know the region is starting to fall appart with their best players looking for pastures new.

Huw Bennett tweeted that they did ok at HT and FT. Sounded quite battling. Must be hard when they were already out.

True, the Ospreys back line no longer looks potent they rely entirely on winning through the forwards. Good win for the Dragons, they now have decent coaches.

Expected a big win for Castres. Ospreys did very well considering the injury list, as did Blues.

The Saint wrote:Expected a big win for Castres. Ospreys did very well considering the injury list, as did Blues.

A performance to be proud of in all respects.

Would have been great to see some tries but the defences were excellent.

A brave but narrow loss and we are out of Europe. Our worst season yet.

Would be nice to get a win this week at home so as it's not a complete whitewash.

Round two teams to come...!

Chris Gibbes interview

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/31941

Ospreys team announced.

Stick to supporting Bath mm...

Ospreys team for tonights game v Castres. K.o 8.00pm. Live on skysports3 Red button job?

15 Sam Davies

14 Aisea Natoga

13 Tom Isaacs

12 Ben John

11 Jeff Hassler

10 Dan Biggar

9 Rhys Webb



1 Ryan Bevington

2 Richard Hibbard

3 Aaron Jarvis

4 Ian Evans

5 James King

6 Sam Lewis

7 Justin Tipuric

8 Ryan Jones (Capt)



REPLACEMENTS

16 Scott Baldwin

17 Marc Thomas

18 Dan Suter

19 Tyler Ardron

20 Morgan Allen

21 Tom Habberfield

22 Matthew Morgan

23 Tom Grabham

Sounds like Castres are just intent on conceding penalties, according to BBC Radio Wales. Ref needs to clamp down on it by the sounds.

Can't understand the reffing of the scrum. Castres have clearly got the stronger pack and there have been plenty of scrums where the Os have popped up going backwards & not been pinged & the ref pings Castres for popping up straight away on their first occasion.

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Can't understand the reffing of the scrum. Castres have clearly got the stronger pack and there have been plenty of scrums where the Os have popped up going backwards & not been pinged & the ref pings Castres for popping up straight away on their first occasion.

He seems to be missing a lot, on the last Ospreys attack a number of the players were clearing out from the side and he just let them away with it, which can be quite annoying as a defender, especially when there is no consistency. Never seen him before, so not sure if he is a poor ref, or just easily swayed by a home crowd. Although, that might be the same thing.

Usual homer ref that you often get in these part of the world. The weather also just got better with some monsoon hitting the liberty. gotta feel for the not so many fans that turned up tonight. At least their team is winning. Anyway am off to find myself an AC stream , maybe there is better game or contest on.

whocares wrote:Usual homer ref that you often get in these part of the world. The weather also just got better with some monsoon hitting the liberty. gotta feel for the not so many fans that turned up tonight. At least their team is winning. Anyway am off to find myself an AC stream , maybe there is better game or contest on.

Croak - sour grapes

Pretty turgid stuff tbh. Castres were solid enough without threatening. Ospreys ok, but produced a lot of miss timed passes, then had the usual panic attacks in the oppositions 22 and couldn't get over the line. Tipuric a beast and a deseverd motm...

rainbow-warrior wrote:

whocares wrote:Usual homer ref that you often get in these part of the world. The weather also just got better with some monsoon hitting the liberty. gotta feel for the not so many fans that turned up tonight. At least their team is winning. Anyway am off to find myself an AC stream , maybe there is better game or contest on.

Croak - sour grapes

Baaaaa- pot - kettle - whatever

Being a french rugby follower makes me immune to sour grapes, we have been used for such a long time to get ripped off by dodgy refs that it hardly makes a difference nowadays. Suggest so called welsh fans like you take a bit of that stance next time you moan about the referee or your headcoach has a go at Rolland (by the way am sure you noticed he's reffing the next 6N between our 2 nations).


Ospreys fully deserved their win like munster a week ago but shouldnt need substandart refereing to help them. And yes I know it does sometimes benefit french teams, swings and roundabouts etc

That was a poor doubleheader, no try scored in 160 minutes is poor.

That said Natoga always looked dangerous ball in hand and is a good signing.

Yeah both games were disapointing. Many handling errors from both sides. Hassler seems like a good prospect (is he new in the team?)

Yeah both wingers were new signings.

Heard a very interesting stat on radio wales earlier which would go some way to explain why they have failed in Europe this year.

In all their games Biggar is the only one whose has scored a point 51 overall, if this stat is true then this shows a clear lack of penetration and you can't just rely on kicks etc.