Clermont Auvergne v Ospreys

[dullonien]

Ospreys team announced:

01 Paul James
02 Richard Hibbard
03 Adam Jones
04 Alun-Wyn Jones
05 Jonathan Thomas
06 Jerry Collins
07 Marty Holah
08 Ryan Jones

09 Ricky Januarie
10 Dan Biggar
11 Nikki Walker
12 Andrew Bishop
13 Sonny Parker
14 Tommy Bowe
15 Lee Burne

16 Huw Bennett
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Cai Griffiths
19 Ian Gough
20 Filo Tiatia
21 Jamie Nutbrown
22 James Hook
23 Shane Williams

Pack is looking mighty strong, but the front 8 replacements are a little poor imo. Bevington and Griffiths aren't good enough imo, and Gough and Tiatia are a little past it. Would have preferred to see Ian Evans on the bench, but maybe he's not quite up to fitness yet. Slightly dissapointed with the conservative nature of the backline. But it served them well against the Blues, and was rock solid defesively. Hook and Shane to come off the bench, when the big Clermont backline tire? Could be a great finish to the game if the scores still close.

 

[Mr.cyclopede]

I wouln't count too much on that IMO, ASM strengh is generally to finish the match in good physical conditions (expect when they have to play with 14 players for 70 mins !!!).
Expect them to strongly engage the forwards for the first half, keeping the backline in relative fresh conditions for the second. I bet Russel entering 30s after Williams !

The challenge will be to be perfect under the kicks

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Bishop and Parker are fantastic defenders, so hence why they got the nods over the only-just-fit Hook and Shane (Or, more to the ponit, Bowe at 13.)

 

[Charles]

YOu guys got any links ? Searching here but nothing seems to work...

 

[Olyy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Charles @ Jan 16 2010, 03:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

YOu guys got any links ? Searching here but nothing seems to work...[/b]

http://www.justin.tv/twomint/


The guy just switched to it frmo the Sale game ( <_< )

 

[riders of the storm]

Great ball from Parker! Pity he lost his feet there Bowe.

 

[Sir Speedy]

Was gonna say... If he'd kept his feet they would've scored in the first minute.

And that's brilliant from Floch if that's a try... But it's not. Knock on by Nalaga over the line. Nuts.

 

[riders of the storm]

Crap. Floch cut right through there and the chase was fantastic.

The Ospreys need to show more patience than this.

 

[riders of the storm]

... but Jones's chase was better.

 

[dullonien]

That was awesome covering work from Ryan Jones, just doing enough to get in the way of Nalaga.

O's scrum is very solid.

 

[dullonien]

Try, try, try. Awesome start for the ospreys.

 

[Sir Speedy]

Byrne's back in form. Superb line, again.

 

[riders of the storm]

Better play there too keeping it in Clermont's half and great pressure at the ruck.

How is Jerry Collins doing for the Ospreys currently?

Great try by Bowe! That pass from Biggar was a beauty.

 

[dullonien]

Jerry collins has been nothing short of amazing since joinging the ospreys. Really back to his best imo.

Should have been another try for Januarie there, lost the ball over the line.

Clermont are being ripped to shreds, should be 3 tries to the Ospreys already!

 

[riders of the storm]

Great turnover at the ruck too.
The Ospreys just look a little more settled with their ball movement at the moment. All the early territory is really helping and they look more focused.

 

[riders of the storm]

Way too much poor kicking from Parra too.

 

[dullonien]

Penalty to Clermont. Good take from Lee Burne from an up and under, but suport was too slow to arrive.

Edit: was interesting he heat earlier that Biggars kicking success is at 92% (over after his successful conversion) for this years HC.

 

[riders of the storm]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dullonien @ Jan 17 2010, 03:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Jerry collins has been nothing short of amazing since joinging the ospreys. Really back to his best imo.

Should have been another try for Januarie there, lost the ball over the line.

Clermont are being ripped to shreds, should be 3 tries to the Ospreys already![/b]

The Ospreys probably have one of the best backrows in Europe; pretty mobile too.

... and a penalty kick from Brock James sails over. Ospreys 7-3 now.

 

[dullonien]

Holah needed someone like Collins to really bring the best from him. Collins does all the hard work, Holah can concentrate on spoiling and stealign ball. Certainly up there with the best this season.

 

[riders of the storm]

Crazy stuff from Byrne on that clearance.

Rougerie should've backed himself there instead of trying for a drop goal.