1
Giant Lions return to Ospreys line-up to face SA tour foes once again
By Ian Cameron
The Ospreys will receive a giant boost this weekend as they welcome two outsized Lions to their starting line-up for the Cell C Sharks in the United Rugby Championship.
Adam Beard and Alun Wyn Jones, returning from the unsuccessful British & Irish Lions tour, come straight into the starting line-up.
The 6 foot 9 inch Beard featured in the back-to-back games against the Natal-based side in the summer, while Jones (who Beard had replaced) had yet to return to the tour.
Ospreys Head Coach Toby Booth said: “Having seen the Sharks selection, we know they are big and there are four second rows in that starting line-up. There was a lot of forward orientated stuff in our performance against Cardiff, and that has clearly been thought of. We know they are going to be physical and will have a good kicking game. It will be a different challenge and an exciting one because we are playing someone new.”
Meanwhile, Thomas du Toit will captain Cell C Sharks with the absence of Phepsi Buthelezi, who plays off the bench this week.
"There were many positives to take away from the match against Glasgow," said Sharks Head Coach, Sean Everitt. "Even though we are missing 14 of our key players, our youngsters against an experienced Glasgow team, put their hands up in the second half. We are looking for a complete performance from the players. The team has worked hard this week and have been relentless in our preparation for the match against Ospreys.”
Ospreys: Dan Evans, Mat Protheroe, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Owen Watkin, Luke Morgan, Gareth Anscombe, Rhys Webb (CAPT), Nicky Smith, Sam Parry, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Will Griffiths, Jac Morgan, Morgan Morris
Replacements: Elvis Taione, Gareth Thomas, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Ethan Roots, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Stephen Myler, Joe Hawkins
Cell C Sharks: Anthony Volmink, Marnus Potgieter, Jeremy Ward, Marius Louw, Thaakir Abrahams, Boeta Chamberlain, Ruan Pienaar, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Kerron van Vuuren, Thomas du Toit (CAPT), Ruben van Heerden, Hyron Andrews, James Venter, Gerbrandt Grobler, Henco Venter
Replacements: Dan Jooste, Khwezi Mona, Lourens Adriaanse, Le Roux Roets, Phepsi Buthelezi, Dylan Richardson, Sanele Nohamba, Werner Kok
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales have the same problem
3
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
4
Let's be real about these All Blacks
5
Latest Comments
John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
Go to comments