Ospreys vs London Irish
Friday 15th October
Sky Sports 1
Chat about the game – and Ryan Jones being 2nd row – here.
A mixed start for the Ospreys in the Heineken Cup, and one that will only show if it was a good start or a bad one as the group progresses. A bonus point away is never to be sniffed at, especially out in France. But that was a depleted Toulon team, and the Ospreys seemed to put a lot of effort into losing the game.
This is a must win. The home games are the essential ones – in this ‘group of death’ if you lose at home you are all but out of the competition. And it is a formidable task.
London Irish are top of the Aviva Premiership for good reason – they are playing some extremely attractive rugby, able to run in tries from anywhere. They couple this with a solid scrum and a quality lineout. They beat Munster easily and will be confident going into this game.
Ospreys
For me though a lot rests on the Ospreys, will they turn up? So often this season they have made mistakes, from missed kicks to giving away to many penalties. A very different team from that which beat Leinster to clinch the Magners League crown.
Players have slowly been eased back in, players like Mike Phillips, James Hook and co are only just starting to get game time because of injury – players vital to the Ospreys. But we need them to kick on now if we are to get a result here.
Some important flash points in the game
Dan Biggar – needs to find the form he finished in at the end of last season. Certainly can’t afford missed shots at goal.
Mike Phillips – needs to get quick ball out. Shane and Tommy will always get us a try or two, they need sharp service.
Defensive lines – Irish, especially Ojo, are cutting some good lines – they need to be contained.
Collins and Holah – the Irish have injury problems in the backrow, these two need to dominate the breakdown. Ryan Jones in the 2nd row should help the work rate
Lineout – the Irish lineout is impressive, with Kennedy and Casey ruling the roost. The Ospreys have traditionally struggled here and need to be at their best to get at the best parity
It should be a cracking game, both teams like to move the ball – though the Ospreys may be better placed to keep things a bit tighter, hit the fringes and certainly target their breakdowns for turnovers.
My prediction? Ospreys by less than a score
Ospreys: Lee Byrne; Tommy Bowe, Andrew Bishop, James Hook, Shane Williams; Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Jerry Collins, Marty Holah, Jonathan Thomas.
Replacements: Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Craig Mitchell, Ian Gough, Justin Tipuric, Jamie Nutbrown, Gareth Owen, Nikki Walker.
London Irish: Topsy Ojo; Jonathan Joseph, Seilala Mapusua, Daniel Bowden, Sailosi Tagicakibau; Ryan Lamb, Paul Hodgson; Clarke Dermody (capt), James Buckland, Faan Rautenbach, Nick Kennedy, Bob Casey, Kieran Roche, Chris Hala’ufia, George Stowers.
Replacements: David Paice, Dan Murphy, Alex Corbisiero, Matt Garvey, Gary Johnson, Chris Malone, Elvis Seveali’i, Darren Allinson.
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