Forgive a bit of a rant on this one – as will become rather obvious I am sure I am somewhat of an Ospreys fan.
But to me this is getting silly now. Whilst there is obviously precedent in it happening with England in the 2003 World Cup there has to be levels of accountability – and surely the first stop has to be with the officials? Now I missed what Alan Lewis apparently ranted to the 4th official (I am told it was disgraceful but I was at …

I was just reading that I could go to watch the Ospreys vs Viadana for a fiver.  Good piece of marketing that.  But in the same article something struck me as being a bit off.  Namely Ryan Jones’ comment.
For those that missed the fairly innocuous looking line it says
The match against Viadana is probably the biggest game of the season so far for the Ospreys.
Fair enough… or not. Well firstly I have my doubts. Of the season so far surely Leicester or Clermont Auvergne were more important, and bigger, …

South African scrum half Ricky Januarie is to join the Ospreys on a short-term two week loan. It is in an effort to give him some game time, say Western Province, and find some form. This is all from this article here.  Further checking shows it is likely to be end of December/start of January.
From the Ospreys perspective this is an interesting loan signing. There is a need for cover as first choice Mike Phillips is out injured for a while yet, Nutbrown also has some time …

Welsh and Ospreys full back is expected to be back in action very soon, at least according to team mate James Hook, who is currently occupying the full back position for Wales.
In an interview with the Western Mail, in which he again talks about his desire to play outside half, he says that Lee Byrne is expected back by the time James returns to the Liberty stadium from International duty.
“And with Lee expected back around the time I return to the Ospreys, they probably will move me back to 12. …

And the winner of the poll question for which region will have the most successful season is – the Dragons!
Have to admit that I did not see that coming.  They achieved a narrow victory (of just  vote) over the Ospreys, with Cardiff Blues and Llanelli Scarlets tied for last place, well behind the top 2 regions.
Pretty much reflects the Magners league at the moment, though the Scarlets could point to their impressive Heineken cup results to suggest they could do something this season.
<h3>Final Votes</h3>
Dragons – 32 votes
Ospreys – 31 votes
Cardiff …

Contrary to initial hopes that Mike Phillips was only going to be out for 10-12 weeks it looks far more likely he will be out for 4 months. He is due to undergo surgery today on his ‘distal fib/tib joint’.
A big blog to the Ospreys and Wales which makes his likelihood of playing in the 6 Nations for Wales very remote and certainly removes any possibility of him playing for the Ospreys in the Heineken cup pool games.
From the Ospreys website: -
Mike Phillips will today undergo surgery to repair …

The Ospreys have decided that this game doesn’t matter, that can be the only explanation for the team that they have named vs the Cardiff Blues. Form players like James Hook and Nikki Walker have been dropped to the bench, whilst limited players who have struggled for form such as Andrew Bishop and Sonny Parker are playing – all but guaranteeing our back 3 won’t get any ball.
With the scrum in such bad shape the Ospreys have relied on their talented backline to do the business – this isn’t …

Great news from Scott Johnson who expects to see the Ospreys, Wales and British Lions star tight head prop back in 4 to 6 weeks. The Ospreys have certainly been missing the player desperately, with the scrum being responsible for the 2 massive comes backs in the Heineken cup in successive weeks – where the Ospreys were 18 and 19 points up respectively, but ended up drawing one and winning one by one point.
Initial reports as to the injury suggested that the ‘hair bear’ wasn’t going to be available …

Some awful news for the Ospreys and Wales, and of course Mike Phillips himself. The Welsh and British Lions scrum half is out injured for the next 10-12 weeks following his injury against Clermont Auvergne. He suffered ligament damage in his ankle and his leaving the game coincided with the Osprey’s collapse that they were lucky to escape with a win – despite being 19 points up at half time.
With Jamie Nutbrown also out injured for 10 weeks after picking up a knee injury in the same game …

Mike Phillips has been injured playing for the Ospreys today in their Heineken cup win against ASM Clermont Auvergne. The extent of the injury is unknown but there is a worry that he will be out of the Welsh autumn internationals (and the Barbarians game against New Zealand).
Mike Phillips is due to have a scan on his ankle on Monday, right now the Ospreys are unsure if it is bone or ligament damage that forced the British Lion scrum half off the field.
Sean Holley spoke to the press after …