2nd Round of Local derbies

[ALunpg]

Although a local derby is always a match to watch, I find myself struggling to understand why they occur the week before the AI .

Every team will be impacted surely that will reduce the crowds that turn up and reduce revenue?.

If the league want to have a regional competition of teams without international players then great ...I would enjoy that ...but dont do it at the loss of one of the traditional derby matches?

Or am I missing something here?

Anyways...rant over...awaiting the team news

[Sandydragon]

It's crap scheduling. Big games like these shouldn't be on a weekend when Welsh squad players aren't available.

[Son of Mathonwy]

It certainly gives the Dragons a much better chance against Ospreys
Still looking forward to it though. Let's see how Matavesi copes.

[ALunpg]

Seems Lydite and Baldwin are being released plus Giles to the Ospreys and Cory Hill steps up into the squad from the Dragons.


Cory Hill added to squad for autumn internationals - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37777245

[TibetanBlue]

Certainly looking forward to seeing how Halaholo gets on - IF he plays
Along with Allen and Lee-Lo (and a few promising youngsters), we've got quite a good bunch of centres to choose from!

Real shame the "stars" aren't playing

[cadofyddol]

Seems Lydite and Baldwin are being released plus Giles to the Ospreys and Cory Hill steps up into the squad from the Dragons.


Cory Hill added to squad for autumn internationals - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37777245

The Ospreys could really have done with Sam Davies and Rory Thornton being released back. Baldwin being released back is of no major benefit. Although it will be interesting to see if he starts, if he does I guess it must be at Wales' request.

[Numbers]

Teams for the Os v Dragons game:

Ospreys: D Evans; K Giles, B John, A Beck, E Walker; J Matavesi, T Habberfield (capt); P James, S Baldwin, D Arhip, L Ashley, A Beard, D Lydiate, O Cracknell, J Bearman.

Reps: S Parry, G Thomas, M Fia, R McCusker, S Otten, B Leonard, J Spratt, D Howells.


Newport Gwent Dragons: T Prydie; P Howard, S Beard, J Dixon, A Warren; Nick Macloed, T Knoyle; S Hobbs, R Thomas, B Harris, N Crosswell, R Landman, L Evans (capt), N Cudd, E Jackson.

Reps: R Buckley, P Price, L Fairbrother, M Screech, O Griffiths, S Pretorius, G Rhys Jones, A Hewitt

The Os should win this quite comfortably.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Teams for the Os v Dragons game:

Ospreys: D Evans; K Giles, B John, A Beck, E Walker; J Matavesi, T Habberfield (capt); P James, S Baldwin, D Arhip, L Ashley, A Beard, D Lydiate, O Cracknell, J Bearman.

Reps: S Parry, G Thomas, M Fia, R McCusker, S Otten, B Leonard, J Spratt, D Howells.


Newport Gwent Dragons: T Prydie; P Howard, S Beard, J Dixon, A Warren; Nick Macloed, T Knoyle; S Hobbs, R Thomas, B Harris, N Crosswell, R Landman, L Evans (capt), N Cudd, E Jackson.

Reps: R Buckley, P Price, L Fairbrother, M Screech, O Griffiths, S Pretorius, G Rhys Jones, A Hewitt

The Os should win this quite comfortably.

The Wales call-ups are stretching their squad to the limit, but the Ospreys can nonetheless - just - put together a strong XV (and decent bench). They should have no big problems dealing with the Dragons... as long as Matavesi can remember what a 10 does...

[Numbers]

Teams for the Os v Dragons game:

Ospreys: D Evans; K Giles, B John, A Beck, E Walker; J Matavesi, T Habberfield (capt); P James, S Baldwin, D Arhip, L Ashley, A Beard, D Lydiate, O Cracknell, J Bearman.

Reps: S Parry, G Thomas, M Fia, R McCusker, S Otten, B Leonard, J Spratt, D Howells.


Newport Gwent Dragons: T Prydie; P Howard, S Beard, J Dixon, A Warren; Nick Macloed, T Knoyle; S Hobbs, R Thomas, B Harris, N Crosswell, R Landman, L Evans (capt), N Cudd, E Jackson.

Reps: R Buckley, P Price, L Fairbrother, M Screech, O Griffiths, S Pretorius, G Rhys Jones, A Hewitt

The Os should win this quite comfortably.

The Wales call-ups are stretching their squad to the limit, but the Ospreys can nonetheless - just - put together a strong XV (and decent bench). They should have no big problems dealing with the Dragons... as long as Matavesi can remember what a 10 does...

I'd say half back is the only area the Dragons are edging, unfortunately it won't make any difference if they get stuffed up front.

[kk67]

This will be the first time I've watched Patchell this season. The beeb says it's on the bbc red button but they change it at the last minute for any sh*tty Englishman that might win in another sport so I'm not too hopeful.

601 on freeview.

[wayneha50]

i really dont know where they find these refs from

[stud muffin]

Enjoying the Blues Scarlets game. Though I think the Blues were unlucky not yo get a penalty try before half time

[stud muffin]

Enjoyable game but don't think either side really has that killer instinct. i know both sides are missing their best players, but it's the strength of your second string, that need to step up when needed, that wins leagues and cups

[wayneha50]

since the Leinster game the Blues have simply imploded, the Ospreys game, now this one. Really lost their way.

[kk67]

i really dont know where they find these refs from

Tempting,....but the 2nd half did have some decent flow.

[kk67]

i really dont know where they find these refs from

Tempting to blame him but the 2nd half did have some decent flow.

[kk67]

i really dont know where they find these refs from

Tempting,....but the 2nd half did have some decent flow.

Eugene..?.....delete please.

[ALunpg]

Exciting match, fiercely competitive and some good tries and skills. I think the result was the correct outcome on balance.
The scrum was poorly controlled and then the interpretations in general from the match officials went downhill from there on.
The debacle of the Shinglers at the end was farsicle and it was not an isolated incident.
So after my concern about the match...it in itself was not bad at all. Maybe all the good officials were away on days off

[Graigwen]

The Moldovan must be p*ssed off, with good reason.

[Sourdust]

The Wales call-ups are stretching their squad to the limit, but the Ospreys can nonetheless - just - put together a strong XV (and decent bench). They should have no big problems dealing with the Dragons... as long as Matavesi can remember what a 10 does...

Well, he got MOTM...

Actually I thought it was a decent shift at 10 but hardly perfect. Some iffy decision-making, a bit too often the centre took over and he ran ball he should have moved on. Great stepping and hands a times, though, and the real revelation was his kicking, from hand and tee. I'd certainly be happy to see him at fly-half again against all but the toughest opposition.

[ALunpg]

Generally a positive display by most of the Ospreys. I was particularly cheared by the performance of Joe Bearman who got around the pitch well and also Rick McCosker. They may neither be 1st choices but certainly are great talent to call in these matches or even from the bench. I am not sure how this team will fare against stronger opposition but this was an important win, as the Ospreys have struggled against the Dragons at times in previous fixtures. As for the Dragons they look a better team than they perform in large patches of the matches they play , but if you are low on confidence it is a hard hill to climb. It was commented on that the 4 call ups by the Dragons hit them as hard as the Ospreys call up. There is no doubt some good players there just very low in self confidence.

[Son of Mathonwy]

The Wales call-ups are stretching their squad to the limit, but the Ospreys can nonetheless - just - put together a strong XV (and decent bench). They should have no big problems dealing with the Dragons... as long as Matavesi can remember what a 10 does...

Well, he got MOTM...

Actually I thought it was a decent shift at 10 but hardly perfect. Some iffy decision-making, a bit too often the centre took over and he ran ball he should have moved on. Great stepping and hands a times, though, and the real revelation was his kicking, from hand and tee. I'd certainly be happy to see him at fly-half again against all but the toughest opposition.

Yeah, can't complain about that. Not sure MOTM was quite justified, but for a guy who plays 12 most of the time it was excellent. The kicking was impressive - nice to see the Ospreys should still be able to keep the scoreboard ticking over with this guy (although it seemed that tries were the order of the day).
Another impressive performance from Giles. All Welsh wingers other than North must be worried. Barring injuries, I think we are seeing North's future wingmate. Hope he can consolidate what he's doing (even if he probably will have a try free game eventually), then maybe get a chance in the 6N.

[MrK]

Ive been quietly impressed by the "second string" players on show this weekend

Scarlets - Wyn Jones, Elias, Bulbring, Boyde, Shingler, J Evans, Parkes and DTH
Blues - Only Tom James really
Ospreys - Beard did well, Cracknell,Bearman, Haberfiled, Matevesi, Beck and of course Keelan
Dragons - struggling

[Sandydragon]

It certainly gives the Dragons a much better chance against Ospreys
Still looking forward to it though. Let's see how Matavesi copes.

It didn't help

[Son of Mathonwy]

It certainly gives the Dragons a much better chance against Ospreys
Still looking forward to it though. Let's see how Matavesi copes.

It didn't help

Nope. The Ospreys seem to be playing with more confidence and attacking flair than in the last couple of seasons, despite all the missing players.
As usual the Dragons don't have enough good players to deal with the Ospreys.