Ospreys, better off without their Wales players?

[dullonien]

The Ospreys have gone unbeaten in six weeks, whilst their international stars have been away on 6 nations duty. It's the youngsters at the region who have really stepped up to the mark and are producing some great rugby. In fact, the Ospreys have looked a team transformed, playing as a team instead of a bunch of individuals.

Are the Ospreys going to miss the departing players at all?

In last nights game against Glasgow, the Ospreys forwards were on great form, and with Rhys Webb at 9, the Ospreys backs got quick ball and on occasion played some great stuff. I thought youngsters such as Bevinton, Tipuric, Webb, Biggar, Beck and Fussell were immense, whilst a few of the older heads like Hibbard and Ian Evans (not that they are old!) were also very good. Where the hell did Cai Griffiths learn to scrummage?

Have the Ospreys stumbled across a ready made replacement to Lee Byrne in Fussell at fullback? He's been great there recently, and it really seems to suit his playing style. He needs to be tested against some better opposition, but recent performances have been encouraging.

I hope the Ospreys reward these players when the internationals return, by keeping them in the starting 15. Webb should start over Phillips, Beck over Hook, Fussell over Byrne etc. All three of those players are possibly leaving at the end of the season aswell. Making the internationals work for their spots will surely only motivate them further aswell, bringing the best out of them.

Overall, it's clear to me that the Ospreys don't need to react to loosing Byrne, Hook and possibly Phillips by buying SH imports, as the youngsters are ready to step up. I'd even take things one further, and release a couple of NWQ players from the squad. Nutbrown isn't the quality required, he can go. Hollah could be released considering the emergence of Tipuric and hopefully an injury free period for Ben Lewis. Another who should be shown the door is Nikky Walker, been a good player for the O's, but there are young wingers lining up around the block at the Ospreys for gametime, give it to them!

One final point, how strong are the Ospreys in the front row at present? I know Mitchell is leaving at the end of the season, but untill then they have three quality front rows.

Paul James - Richard Hibbard - Adam Jones

Duncan Jones - Huw Bennett - Craig Mitchell

Ryan Bevington - Mefin Davies - Cai Griffiths

 

[Feicarsinn]

Well it's worth remembering that everyone else is missing their internationals. The standard of the league dips considerably when you take out about fifty of it's best players.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It's an interesting point,
Ospreys have considerably depth in their squad, but at times it doesn't seem like it because of the big names in their starting XV who play week in week out

Losing John Thomas certainly isn't going to weaken Ospreys

 

[TRF_Cymro]

It's an interesting point,
Ospreys have considerably depth in their squad, but at times it doesn't seem like it because of the big names in their starting XV who play week in week out

Losing Jon Davies certainly isn't going to weaken Ospreys

Jon Davies?

Dull I thought the Glasgow front row were poor last night, they made Griffiths look decent. I do agree they look decent without their international players, Biggar had a good game but the opposition was not great. Im not a fan of suggesting that Holah should leave, Ben Lewis has yet to string games together so keeping Holah around is worth having so he can help develop Tupiric.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

John Thomas, even

 

[TRF_Cymro]

John Thomas, even

:lol:

 

[dullonien]

Yeh, I agree that the league quality dips considerably during the international periods. My main point was that the Ospreys have been playing more as a team without the international stars, and that's always been one of the Ospreys biggest problems.

Webb is playing much better than Phillips has done for years. Beck is playing great rugby, and will be pushing Bishop close next season. They are good enough to make the step up, I don't see the need for the Ospreys to buy in players to cover those going. A quality player like Muliaina would be welcome in any team mind. Possibly a decent scrum-half if they get rid of Nutbrown aswell.

Cymro, I was thinking the same with Holah, but there's no denying that he can go missing during the big games. He doesn't seem to have an in-between, he's either great or non-existent. Good player to have, as long as the Ospreys continue to give Tipuric plenty of gametime and give a chance to Ben Lewis aswell. Regarding Cai Griffiths, he's looked strong at scrum time every time I've seen him this season. I used to think he was a complete waste of space, but he's starting to change my mind, although we need to see him against a good scrummaging looshead first.

Of course the likes of Paul James, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Hook, Shane Williams and Byrne are quality players and should improve the team. But they should be made to work for their positions, especially Phillips, Hook and Byrne who weren't in great form before joining up with Wales. I'd still like to see Hook play 10 ahead of Biggar, but considering Hook is leaving I can't see that happening. They will probably stick with Biggar and possibly bring through Matthew Morgan.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I think these youngsters need more gametime, either way. They seem to have more energy about them, although I reckon that a good 50% or so of that is down to having a proper Scrum-Half in Rhys Webb who gets the ball out and makes little darts, rather than a second row who spends most of his time crabbing sideways, occasionally chucking it in the general direction of a player if they're clappnig their hands furiously enough.

Tipuric, Beck, Fussell, Bevington, Webb and Morgan all need to play week in, week out and might do so with the players going next season. Dirkson, Prydie, Kristian Phillips and the likes should also hopefully get a bit more gametime as well as they look like they could be good players if they're worked on.

Once the internationals are back, I'd like the Ospreys to pick-

Fussell/Byrne (If he continues the form of the Italy game), Bowe, Bishop, Beck, Shane; Hook, Webb; James, Hibbard, Adam, Alun Wyn, Ryan, Tipuric, Holah, Jerry.

Biggar is showing signs of improvment, so if he continues, it could be him at 10, Hook 12 and Beck 13. Beck should definatly be in the first time now, or close to it, anyway, as he's looking like more and more of a complete player with every passing week.

 

[dullonien]

Maybe Beck should be played at 13. Apart from Parker the Ospreys don't really have a 13. Similarily Wales also don't posses a propper 13, they're all 12's playing out of position. If Beck is played consistently at 13 from the beginning, he could have a big future. He has the attributes to play 13, in that he's strong and quick.

 

[Draggs]

Maybe Beck should be played at 13. Apart from Parker the Ospreys don't really have a 13. Similarily Wales also don't posses a propper 13, they're all 12's playing out of position. If Beck is played consistently at 13 from the beginning, he could have a big future. He has the attributes to play 13, in that he's strong and quick.

 

[dullonien]

Is that Adam Hughes? Good prospect, but needs to start playing at centre more instead of on the wing. Both him and Beck should be given the 13 shirt and for their clubs and told that they have it for a run of games. See how they build.

 

[Draggs]

Is that Adam Hughes? Good prospect, but needs to start playing at centre more instead of on the wing. Both him and Beck should be given the 13 shirt and for their clubs and told that they have it for a run of games. See how they build.

It is, and I agree.
He has been playing wing due to Harries playing fullback, but is no doubt a centre. (Leach and Riley have looked good as well). 11 Brew, 13 Hughes, 14 Harries, 15 Martyn Thomas next season, please.

 

[TrueSlawter]

With Ospreys yeah they have been playing weakened teams due to international duty however imo they should keep these guys starting or even mixing internationals back into the team, bringing some of em on in the second half etc as it builds them for the future, I'd even go for a drop in performance overall for a year as long as it builds them up for the season after along with building prospects for the Wales team.