Ospreys 2015/16 Season

First topic message reminder :

Never done one of these here before, yet cannot do any worse than last years idiot.
Head Coach Steve Tandy
Backs Coach Gruff Rees
Forwards Coach Chris Gibbes
Squad Alphabetically
TYLER ARDRON 24 Back Row                  Rhodri Hughes 20 Lock
Dimitri Arhip 26 Prop                              PAUL JAMES 33 Prop
Lloyd Ashley (Peers) 24 Lock                   AARON JARVIS 29 Prop
Dan Baker 23 Back Row                          Ben John 24 Centre
SCOTT BALDWIN 27 Hooker                    ALUN WYN JONES 29 Lock
Adam Beard 19 Lock                              JAMES KING 25 Back Row  
Joe Bearman 36 Back Row                      Brendon Leonard 30 S/H
Ashley Beck 25 Centre                            DAN LYDIATE 27 Back Row
Rynier Bernardo 24 Lock                         JOSH MATAVESI 24 Centre
Ryan Bevington 26 Prop                          Scott Otten 21 Hooker
DAN BIGGAR 25 OH                               Sam Parry 23 Hooker
Andrew Bishop 30 Centre                        Kristian Phillips 24 Wing
Jordan Collier 20 Back Row                     Martin Roberts 29 S/H
Olly Cracknell 21 Back Row                     Nicky Smith 21 Prop
Sam Davies 21 O/H                                Johnathon Spratt 29 Centre
Gareth Delve 32 Back Row                      De Kock Steenkamp 28 Lock
Hanno Dirksen 24 Wing                          Dan Suter 23 Prop
Mathew Dwyer 30 Hooker                       Gareth Thomas 23 Prop
Dan Evans 26 F/B                                  Marc Thomas 25 Prop
Lloyd Evans 24 Back Row                       Rory Thornton 20 Lock
Richard Fussell 31 F/B                            JUSTIN TIPURIC 26 Back Row  
Tom Grabham 24 Wing                           Eli Walker 23 Wing
Cai Griffiths 31 Prop                               RHYS WEBB 26 S/H
Tom Habberfield 23 S/H                         The following 2 are either temporary
JEFF HASSLER 24 Wing                          or with feeder clubs
Dafydd Howells 20 Wing                         Sam Underhill 19 Back Row
                                                           Oliver Tomaszczyk 28 Prop
The players in CAPITALS will not be available until after the first 3 games of the Guinness League due to WC call ups
The past 5 seasons we have finished 3, 5, 3, 3 and 4 at the end of the regular season, I envision us finishing around the same position this season.
We will also be without Bernardo and Suter for a while early season, we have recruited Tomaszczyk to cover Suter, Underhill came on as a substitute in the Saracens friendly and there were favourable reports about him. If we have injuries in a few key positions especially early season, that prophecy above could be out the window. There has been talk we have signed a T/H from NZ, who had a serious ankle ligament injury, we are still waiting on his rehab. It needs to be soon or we will have to rely on Jarvis, which is not a good thought.
Just to add we won our first 7 matches last season, against most peoples and my expectations, and it will be more of a shock to me if we win either of our first 2 matches this season. Too many missing through injury and International call ups.

Pot Hale wrote:Ospreys throwing it all away against Exeter. From possible home quarter final to being knocked out completely.

Totally agree, they wasted all their hard work with that "effort", awful performance, and bottom of the pool I think. For all the excitement I think we finished in exactly the same position as the Scarlets, who haven't been at the races at all in Europe this season.
As for Baldwins yellow card, I could forgive it if it was from one of the young lads who are just breaking through, but that was from a Welsh international, arguably Wales first choice hooker, and he's thesort of person we need to carry the young ones on. Idiotic mistake to make.
Bottom line is the Ospreys went there with a team, with 12 internationals in the starting line up, 9 Welsh and 1 New Zealander, and were smashed off the park and never really in the game.
With the greatest respect I don't think there is anyone in that Exeter team that has the individual talent of Alun Wyn-Jones, Dan Biggar, or Justin Tipuric, yet we were totally out played.
Awful for the Ospreys fans, players should be ashamed after that.

Well done Exeter, you deserve that.... Wonder why the odds where on that before the match.... Bet it was worth a £5....

Pot Hale wrote:Wow.  Some result for McCafferty & Co.  Five of the quarter final spots home ties over the French and the PRO 12 completely routed.

Bottle of champagne to that man.

I have watched my last seconds of that tournament. I wont be watching any more of that corrupt tournament.

Well done Cheifs. What a result.

In hindsight if the Ospreys had closed the game down when within seven points they would have topped the group.

Some great Ospreys performances in Europe this season, but not enough in a tough and talented pool.

I hope Cheifs can go on to make more magic happen in the last stages.

VinceWLB wrote:

I have watched my last seconds of that tournament. I wont be watching any more of that corrupt tournament.

In what way is it corrupt?

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

I have watched my last seconds of that tournament. I wont be watching any more of that corrupt tournament.

In what way is it corrupt?

Refereeing on English soil has been an absolute disgrace.

The tournament isn't corrupt, the Welsh, and all the Pro 12 teams have been totally inept.

According to the table, http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/european-cup/table, three teams on 16 points, and a score difference of -3 for Exeter, -4 for Ospreys, and -14 for Bordeaux. Cleremont, with 15 points, have a +21 difference.

Rob Baxter was an absolute genius to rest his top players last week. Not! But noone expected that.

And it means Northants go through to the last 8, despite Leicester trying to kick them out.

Saracens, Saints, Exeter and Wasps are all in the same side of the draw. We'll have an English finalist but they'll be knocking each other out.

Leicester host Stade, while Racing have Toulon on the other side of the draw.

VinceWLB wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

I have watched my last seconds of that tournament. I wont be watching any more of that corrupt tournament.

In what way is it corrupt?

Refereeing on English soil has been an absolute disgrace.

Oh ok, not sure I agree with you on that one. Just don't think the Celtic teams were good enough this year.

What Clermont aren't going through? Jeez how much more choking can you do! Aren't Ulster also now through?

Hard luck to the Ospreys there - of all the pro 12 teams I would have liked to see you progress. Delighted for Exeter though - an inspiration to small teams everywhere. What a group - who'd have thought you'd get one as close as that.

Probably Saracens on one side.

Then in order, Racing, Leicester, Toulon, Stade (unless the old Toulon starts showing up).

mikey_dragon wrote:What Clermont aren't going through? Jeez how much more choking can you do! Aren't Ulster also now through?

No because there are 5 pools, not 4, and only the best 3 runners up get a quarter final spot. Ulster didn't get enough points.

Have to say well done Exeter, totally deserved victory, I'm really pleased with our European performances this season until today, absolute total brain fart from Baldwin, terrible miss tackle from Sam Davies, we were well bossed all over the park, FANTASTIC team spirit from the Chiefs.
Well done again and keep the flag flying beyond the QF stage.

mikey_dragon wrote:What Clermont aren't going through? Jeez how much more choking can you do! Aren't Ulster also now through?

The funny thing about that was, Parra had an easy penalty to get an LBP to put them through but decided to tap and go and be held up... Maybe Farrell's indiscretion is not the dumbest incident of the weekend?

eirebilly wrote:
Oh ok, not sure I agree with you on that one. Just don't think the Celtic teams were good enough this year.

Things will have to change again when the general interest for the competition goes down, i for one wont be watching anymore of that tournament and i guess i wont be the only one.

wayne wrote:Have to say well done Exeter, totally deserved victory, I'm really pleased with our European performances this season until today, absolute total brain fart from Baldwin, terrible miss tackle from Sam Davies, we were well bossed all over the park, FANTASTIC team spirit from the Chiefs.
Well done again and keep the flag flying beyond the QF stage.

^ This
Baxter must be an incredible coach, he's really getting the best out of those players to be fair to him.

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

I have watched my last seconds of that tournament. I wont be watching any more of that corrupt tournament.

In what way is it corrupt?

Refereeing on English soil has been an absolute disgrace.

Oh ok, not sure I agree with you on that one. Just don't think the Celtic teams were good enough this year.

Yep - I'm sure that next year we'll see the pro 12 back in strong contention.

Shifty wrote:

wayne wrote:Have to say well done Exeter, totally deserved victory, I'm really pleased with our European performances this season until today, absolute total brain fart from Baldwin, terrible miss tackle from Sam Davies, we were well bossed all over the park, FANTASTIC team spirit from the Chiefs.
Well done again and keep the flag flying beyond the QF stage.

^ This
Baxter must be an incredible coach, he's really getting the best out of those players to be fair to him.  

I thought I was on your ignore list and you couldn't see any of my posts unless it was quoted by somebody else?

stub wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

I have watched my last seconds of that tournament. I wont be watching any more of that corrupt tournament.

In what way is it corrupt?

Refereeing on English soil has been an absolute disgrace.

Oh ok, not sure I agree with you on that one. Just don't think the Celtic teams were good enough this year.

Yep - I'm sure that next year we'll see the pro 12 back in strong contention.

Really???!

Crazy end to the pool stage there.

Bad luck Ospreys, but it was pretty nip-and-tuck. Exeter are going to be fighting hard on two fronts, but they've got plenty of quality players to come back.

Got a lot of respect for Baxter. No nonsense and had his sides playing high-tempo and very hard working. Waldrom has to be one of the best signings in the NH in recent years.

Incredible result for BB at Clermont

VinceWLB wrote:

eirebilly wrote:
Oh ok, not sure I agree with you on that one. Just don't think the Celtic teams were good enough this year.

Things will have to change again when the general interest for the competition goes down, i for one wont be watching anymore of that tournament and i guess i wont be the only one.

What EXACTLY is wrong with the tournament? There are three leagues and representation is equal. In reality the Pro 12 teams have been dire, and frankly only Ireland have been carrying the flag for the competition for many years. Another few seasons like this and you may wonder whether the French and English would see any point in playing us at all.
I'm actually wondering whether all the Irish fans who have appeared from no where in the last few years at the provinces grounds will suddenly vanish again, now that they are not successful.

stub wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

I have watched my last seconds of that tournament. I wont be watching any more of that corrupt tournament.

In what way is it corrupt?

Refereeing on English soil has been an absolute disgrace.

Oh ok, not sure I agree with you on that one. Just don't think the Celtic teams were good enough this year.

Yep - I'm sure that next year we'll see the pro 12 back in strong contention.

Not so sure. England's lions representation will be low whilst Wales and Ireland's will be high - there could be another hangover

Griff wrote:

stub wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

I have watched my last seconds of that tournament. I wont be watching any more of that corrupt tournament.

In what way is it corrupt?

Refereeing on English soil has been an absolute disgrace.

Oh ok, not sure I agree with you on that one. Just don't think the Celtic teams were good enough this year.

Yep - I'm sure that next year we'll see the pro 12 back in strong contention.

Really???!

Yes Griff, I really mean that. The Irish teams seem to be getting stronger by the week for a start and Ospreys and Glasgow always seem capable of winning and I can't see any reason that will change.

mikey_dragon wrote:

stub wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

I have watched my last seconds of that tournament. I wont be watching any more of that corrupt tournament.

In what way is it corrupt?

Refereeing on English soil has been an absolute disgrace.

Oh ok, not sure I agree with you on that one. Just don't think the Celtic teams were good enough this year.

Yep - I'm sure that next year we'll see the pro 12 back in strong contention.

Not so sure. England's lions representation will be low whilst Wales and Ireland's will be high - there could be another hangover

Ha ha! You could be on to something there!

VinceWLB wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

I have watched my last seconds of that tournament. I wont be watching any more of that corrupt tournament.

In what way is it corrupt?

Refereeing on English soil has been an absolute disgrace.

Get a grip man!

I often thing the refs are inept. Even when Gloucester or England have a decision go against them I do not think for a moment the ref is corrupt.

VinceWLB wrote:

eirebilly wrote:
Oh ok, not sure I agree with you on that one. Just don't think the Celtic teams were good enough this year.

Things will have to change again when the general interest for the competition goes down, i for one wont be watching anymore of that tournament and i guess i wont be the only one.

I will still watch it, as gutted as I am that Munster (and the other provinces) are out, I will still tune in. Don't buy into any corruption theories myself, I simply believe that the Celtic nations were poor this year and didn't progress. Sure, if they had then that would be great but it happens sometimes. There was enough shown by the Celtic teams to me to believe that we will be more competitive next year.

Exiledinborders wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

I have watched my last seconds of that tournament. I wont be watching any more of that corrupt tournament.

In what way is it corrupt?

Refereeing on English soil has been an absolute disgrace.

Get a grip man!

I often thing the refs are inept. Even when Gloucester or England have a decision go against them I do not think for a moment the ref is corrupt.

Exeter got 2 penalties for a wheeling scrum which were by no mean obvious and when Ospreys got a good shove when Arhip was still on, no penalties were ever given. In the 1st half, at least 3 times Exe support players went off their feet when latching and never got penalised for it. That was never a yellow card too.

Ospreys had a team full of internationals out on the pitch today and they played as though they were clueless, this more money than the rest in England and France does not come into it when you consider how many internationals the opposition has compared to your own team, Ospreys have given away a bonus point try result in every away game in Europe, that is almost on par with the Italians, it's pathetic.

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

eirebilly wrote:
Oh ok, not sure I agree with you on that one. Just don't think the Celtic teams were good enough this year.

Things will have to change again when the general interest for the competition goes down, i for one wont be watching anymore of that tournament and i guess i wont be the only one.

I will still watch it, as gutted as I am that Munster (and the other provinces) are out, I will still tune in. Don't buy into any corruption theories myself, I simply believe that the Celtic nations were poor this year and didn't progress. Sure, if they had then that would be great but it happens sometimes. There was enough shown by the Celtic teams to me to believe that we will be more competitive next year.

Let's face it. Three of the Irish provinces were poor this year - not one representative in the H cup. Only Connacht managed to top their pool in the Challenge Cup and kudos to them.

The other Pro12 teams managed to achieve just about the same - it's been that way for quite some time bar the freak year of representation that in 2012 that was probably the straw that broke the camel's back.

Funding is not an issue anymore, and can't used as an excuse.  The regions have a budget of £4.5 million.  However in the ospreys case Scott Baldwin, Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar, Alun Wyn-Jones, Rory Thornton, James King, Dan Lydiate and Dan Baker actually have 60% of their wages paid for by the WRU as their centrally contracted.

The English teams have a salary cap of £5.1 million, with 2 marquee players excluded.  And have another £400k for academy players.  

Truth be told the balance between Welsh and English teams is pretty even, the funding gap is just a myth and an excuse.

England:
http://www.premiershiprugby.com/premiership/structure/salary_cap.php#CeYdjEr90z7qXpCD.97

Wales:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34750027

eirebilly wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:What Clermont aren't going through? Jeez how much more choking can you do! Aren't Ulster also now through?

The funny thing about that was, Parra had an easy penalty to get an LBP to put them through but decided to tap and go and be held up... Maybe Farrell's indiscretion is not the dumbest incident of the weekend?

It seems confirmed that Clermont would have gone through if Parra elected to go for the 3 points (and nail it of course but it was fairly easy anyway). Can't believe nobody in the staff followed that sort of things. Amateur and / or arrogant :

whocares wrote:It seems confirmed that Clermont would have gone through if Parra elected to go for the 3 points (and nail it of course but it was fairly easy anyway). Can't believe nobody in the staff followed that sort of things. Amateur and / or arrogant :

Amateur - Thats the right word to describe Clermont. Idiots populate that team all over the park. That Georgian Open side flanker being the best example.

Pot Hale wrote:

Let's face it.   Three of the Irish provinces were poor this year - not one representative in the H cup.   Only Connacht managed to top their pool in the Challenge Cup and kudos to them.

The other Pro12 teams managed to achieve just about the same - it's been that way for quite some time bar the freak year of representation that in 2012 that was probably the straw that broke the camel's back.

Ulster weren't poor. They just happened to be in the pool with the form team in Europe. They beat Toulouse home and away! They were just one bonus point away from making the quarters (at Northant's expense - who haven't been great).[/quote]

Let's get real.That was a shocking performance from the O's.Outplayed by a far better coached team who executed their game with commitment and skill.The coaching regime at the O's is long overdue for a complete overhaul because the modern game has passed them by.The back play is non-existent,the kicking game an embarrassment,and the tackling and handling often comical.Congratulations to Exeter.They were made to look world class.

Shifty wrote:Funding is not an issue anymore, and can't used as an excuse.  The regions have a budget of £4.5 million.  However in the ospreys case Scott Baldwin, Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar, Alun Wyn-Jones, Rory Thornton, James King, Dan Lydiate and Dan Baker actually have 60% of their wages paid for by the WRU as their centrally contracted.

The English teams have a salary cap of £5.1 million, with 2 marquee players excluded.  And have another £400k for academy players.  

Truth be told the balance between Welsh and English teams is pretty even, the funding gap is just a myth and an excuse.

England:
http://www.premiershiprugby.com/premiership/structure/salary_cap.php#CeYdjEr90z7qXpCD.97

Wales:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34750027

Alyn, I know it doesn't say so in that link, but the increase is for next season, that is when the new 4 and the renewals of AWJ, Biggar and Webb kick in, I also know you've mentioned it but there is also the marquee signings which in the case of a number of teams will probably take it close to £6M, the money is an important factor.
I don't know about the other Welsh teams but if anybody had said to me at either the beginning of this season or at the start of the RCC competition that we would have been leading our pool with one game to go, I would have bit their hand off. We IMO have started to turn a corner, that is a better performance overall for a few years and I see it getting materially better in the next few years.
I don't know whether it was you or the Lord that said it was a team full of Internationals, is it Moldovan or the Fijian who is NOT first choice for his country, or the English U18 Captain or even the Wales U20 Captain, the few fringe Welsh players, in that team today there were 4 or 5  first choice players, AWJ, Biggar and Baldwin with possibly James and Tipuric on the bench with James I should think leaving pretty soon   
You also have to govern in the fact with us normally supplying more players to the International setup, and the fact there are only 4 Home teams supplying TW, compared to England having 12, there are bound to be more Internationals in our teams, it doesn't mean because there are more Internationals we have to be the best team.
Let me finally add you are doing a disservice to Exeter they were excellent today, and ATM they are in 2nd place in the AP, they are a well coached team who nullified our strengths and exposed our weaknesses with the couple of poor plays by a couple of our players which you agreed with earlier.

Another fake "region" failing to compete with the big boys...

That is sad

Did the one man and his dog from the away support enjoy the game though?

wayne wrote:Alyn, I know it doesn't say so in that link, but the increase is for next season, that is when the new 4 and the renewals of AWJ, Biggar and Webb kick in, I also know you've mentioned it but there is also the marquee signings which in the case of a number of teams will probably take it close to £6M, the money is an important factor.
I don't know about the other Welsh teams but if anybody had said to me at either the beginning of this season or at the start of the RCC competition that we would have been leading our pool with one game to go, I would have bit their hand off. We IMO have started to turn a corner, that is a better performance overall for a few years and I see it getting materially better in the next few years.
I don't know whether it was you or the Lord that said it was a team full of Internationals, is it Moldovan or the Fijian who is NOT first choice for his country, or the English U18 Captain or even the Wales U20 Captain, the few fringe Welsh players, in that team today there were 4 or 5  first choice players, AWJ, Biggar and Baldwin with possibly James and Tipuric on the bench with James I should think leaving pretty soon   
You also have to govern in the fact with us normally supplying more players to the International setup, and the fact there are only 4 Home teams supplying TW, compared to England having 12, there are bound to be more Internationals in our teams, it doesn't mean because there are more Internationals we have to be the best team.
Let me finally add you are doing a disservice to Exeter they were excellent today, and ATM they are in 2nd place in the AP, they are a well coached team who nullified our strengths and exposed our weaknesses with the couple of poor plays by a couple of our players which you agreed with earlier.

The Ospreys often have a chance of qualifying, basically all they have done is what they always do, win their home games and lose their away games. The only difference this season is they got a few bonus points in France, normally we concede 4 tries in two of the games away from home and it's that which knocks us out.
Last year was a pathetic effort, as we only won one game in the tournament, but often we simply win at home and lose away.

Steffan wrote:Another fake "region" failing to compete with the big boys...

That is sad

Did the one man and his dog from the away support enjoy the game though?

Fake off, you mischief maker.

Shifty wrote:

wayne wrote:Alyn, I know it doesn't say so in that link, but the increase is for next season, that is when the new 4 and the renewals of AWJ, Biggar and Webb kick in, I also know you've mentioned it but there is also the marquee signings which in the case of a number of teams will probably take it close to £6M, the money is an important factor.
I don't know about the other Welsh teams but if anybody had said to me at either the beginning of this season or at the start of the RCC competition that we would have been leading our pool with one game to go, I would have bit their hand off. We IMO have started to turn a corner, that is a better performance overall for a few years and I see it getting materially better in the next few years.
I don't know whether it was you or the Lord that said it was a team full of Internationals, is it Moldovan or the Fijian who is NOT first choice for his country, or the English U18 Captain or even the Wales U20 Captain, the few fringe Welsh players, in that team today there were 4 or 5  first choice players, AWJ, Biggar and Baldwin with possibly James and Tipuric on the bench with James I should think leaving pretty soon   
You also have to govern in the fact with us normally supplying more players to the International setup, and the fact there are only 4 Home teams supplying TW, compared to England having 12, there are bound to be more Internationals in our teams, it doesn't mean because there are more Internationals we have to be the best team.
Let me finally add you are doing a disservice to Exeter they were excellent today, and ATM they are in 2nd place in the AP, they are a well coached team who nullified our strengths and exposed our weaknesses with the couple of poor plays by a couple of our players which you agreed with earlier.

The Ospreys often have a chance of qualifying, basically all they have done is what they always do, win their home games and lose their away games.  The only difference this season is they got a few bonus points in France, normally we concede 4 tries in two of the games away from home and it's that which knocks us out.  
Last year was a pathetic effort, as we only won one game in the tournament, but often we simply win at home and lose away.

Alyn is that all you have to say about my detailed post, do you actually read any of the Website information in which it's been said for the last 2 seasons at least, that we are 34th to 37th best funded teams in the European Competitions, we should NOT be getting anywhere near qualifying, but I see improvement in all areas of our play this season and quite expect us to qualify for the QF next year, especially with the quality youngsters coming through.

We need to pick our socks up in the Pro12 to even qualify for the Champions cup next year!

Wayne, do you have any explanations as to why Jarvis was on the bench instead of Fia? I didn't want to post it when the team was announced but for me last week was an eye opener, when Fia came on for Jarvis he massively improved the scrum but i guess Tandy is too loyal a coach to drop Jarvis and that cost the Ospreys dearly.

Good effort today by the way but not quite the complete performance.

Steffan wrote:Another fake "region" failing to compete with the big boys...

That is sad

Did the one man and his dog from the away support enjoy the game though?

At least the Ospreys one man and his dog didn't abuse a female physio like your vile lot down Bridgend.

https: http://twitter.com/NatalieMelfa/status/688508230922833923

[quote="VinceWLB"][quote="Pot Hale"]Wow.  Some result for McCafferty & Co.  Five of the quarter final spots home ties over the French and the PRO 12 completely routed.

Bottle of champagne to that man. [/quote]

I have watched my last seconds of that tournament. I wont be watching any more of that corrupt tournament.[/quote]

I am confused ... Please explain why this tournament is corrupt

Allty wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Wow.  Some result for McCafferty & Co.  Five of the quarter final spots home ties over the French and the PRO 12 completely routed.

Bottle of champagne to that man.

I have watched my last seconds of that tournament. I wont be watching any more of that corrupt tournament.

I am confused ... Please explain why this tournament is corrupt

I explained it already, officiating has been terrible and tweaked in favour of English and to a lesser extent French sides. That's the PRL power.

Are you saying the officials are corrupt?

On far too many occasions they look like they have been wrong and in favour of the home English team. Call it how you want.

VinceWLB wrote:Wayne, do you have any explanations as to why Jarvis was on the bench instead of Fia? I didn't want to post it when the team was announced but for me last week was an eye opener, when Fia came on for Jarvis he massively improved the scrum but i guess Tandy is too loyal a coach to drop Jarvis and that cost the Ospreys dearly.

Good effort today by the way but not quite the complete performance.

No Vince, I have no explanation and I would have had Ma'afu on the bench, but there was no way that that decision cost us the game today, Baldwins brain fart, Davies's tackling ineptitude, and the decision to sub Dan Evans when it should have been a backrow forward as most teams do, had a much bigger impact on why we lost that game, and also the fact Exeter were the better team hadthe biggest impact.

wayne wrote:
No Vince, I have no explanation and I would have had Ma'afu on the bench, but there was no way that that decision cost us the game today, Baldwins brain fart, Davies's tackling ineptitude, and the decision to sub Dan Evans when it should have been a backrow forward as most teams do, had a much bigger impact on why we lost that game, and also the fact Exeter were the better team hadthe biggest impact.

I think there was 3 scrums with Jarvis on and on each occasion he was driven back and got penalised once. It certainly didn't cost you the game today but when you realise Exeter got through by a point difference of just 1, you can't help but think this had a very negative impact.

Arhip was immense once again by the way. One of the best signing of any regions in the last 3-4 years.