One thing is certain – being a Welsh rugby fan is not good for your blood pressure. After yet another attempted late comeback us Wales fans were yet again disappointed. The word again is starting to take on special significance here, because it is the same thing every time.
Friends are making jokes about it. Because that is what this has become, a joke. On the one hand we have shown we have the talent to dominate periods of matches, to take the game to them. …

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. …

After getting smashed in the nose by his own team mate (Gethin Jenkins) aggressively clearing out a ruck Tom Shanklin is set to miss the Wales vs Argentina clash, the injury has been diagnosed as a small fracture of the nasal bone. The good new is that the twice Grand Slam winning Welsh center should be back for the Australia game.
The BBC are reporting that Andrew Bishop is set to be called up to the squad whilst Jon Davies will take Shank’s starting spot vs Argentina. The wrong …

We have been told to trust the coaches.  We have been told that Jamie Roberts and Tom Shanklin can work together in the same backline.  We have been told our fears are ungrounded.  Does anyone else feel we are being told to accept a coaching blindspot?
Howley has been in the papers moaning our lack of clinical execution for the scoring of tries, and to be fair that is in part true.  Inexperience and over eagerness by Warburton cost us a few chances, Hook died with a few when he might …

Remember total football? No not a computer game but the ideal, with players able to fill in and do all the jobs, players talented enough to do anything that was needed as and when the situation demanded it – spearheaded by a great Dutch football team.
Those of us old enough to remember that might wonder if the same thing is going to be happening with the Welsh rugby team vs the All Blacks during the 2009 Autumn Internationals. Why do I say that? Well a couple of …

The Cardiff Blues have named their team to take on the Ospreys in Saturdays big Welsh derby match.  The big news is the welcome return of star flanker Martyn Williams – in time for game time before the autumn internationals.
Paul Tito also returns from injury and is selected on the bench.  Promising young flanker Sam Warburton is selected on the blindside with ‘nugget’ returning whilst Gareth Cooper regains a starting spot from Richie Rees at scrum half.
With the Welsh squad for the autumn internationals being named the day after a …

No France Move for James Hook
James Hook has spoken to the Ospreys website and has assured fans that the rumoured move to France is based on nothing, and that, far from being unhappy with playing 12 he is happy to do his bit for the team.
Good news for Ospreys fans who were worried that next season might see the team without two of their most creative players – with Gavin Hensons future also uncertain.  Obviously you need to be aware of a certain level of spin, this is Hook talking …

Well it was the news we had all feared. Well I had anyway. Lee Byrne’s recurrence of his foot injury has ruled him out of playing for Wales in the 2009 Autumn Internationals, including games against New Zealand and Australia.
The foot injury, whilst not as serious as some were suggesting, has ruled him out for 8 weeks – 6 of which will see him in plaster. As one of the worlds best full backs and a rock at the back for both the Ospreys and Wales he …

The Ospreys have named their side to take on Glasgow in the Magners league, including James Hook at 12 and Dan Biggar at 10, whilst Jerry Collins has to bench.


Likely to wind Hook up but personally this side intrigues me, will be very interested to see what it can do

So what is happenign with the Ospreys? Abject performances, no real change and a lack of cohesion and even basic rugby.


James Hook is out of sorts, the breakdown is a mess, the centers can’t, or won’t, pass and there seems to be no real game plan. The ‘O’s’ season looks like it is going to fall apart before it even gets going. Which when you consider teh number of British Lions and Welsh rugby internationals is a very worrying thing.



So where do they go from here?