'I am just devastated for him' - Wales star downed 2 games into comeback

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said he is 'devastated' for injured winger Alex Cuthbert, who has suffered another serious injury just two games after returning from a year on the sidelines rehabilitating.

The Ospreys were defeated 27-17 in Swansea but the injury to the former British & Irish Lion added the gloomy forecast for the side.

It was a strange old game, with the Ospreys having much the better of things in terms of territory (59 per cent) and possession (62 per cent), only to come away empty handed, while the visitors picked up the maximum.

Ospreys coach Toby Booth said: “I feel for the lads. They feel the pain.

“The overriding feeling is frustration, but this is part of the journey of this team.

“Looking after the ball in key moments is massively important when you play against the best teams and we were playing against the champions.

“You have to take the moments because you don’t get as many. You need to be clinical. They were and we weren’t.”

The Ospreys’ evening was summed up in the final minute when wing Alex Cuthbert looked certain to score his second try of the night and secure two losing bonus points only to pull up as his hamstring went.

It was all the more painful for the Welsh international as he has only just returned from a year out through injury.

“I am just devastated for him,” said Booth.

“That would have been two points and, in a league that’s very congested and tight, that would be massive.

“I thought we deserved something out of the game.”

Munster wing Sean O’Brien was named Player of the Match after snapping up two long range tries off interceptions - opportunistic scores which ultimately proved the difference between these two play-off contenders.

“That’s a massive win for us,” he said.

“We had been saying all week it was the biggest game of the season so far. It’s great to get back in after a couple of weeks off and get a win like that.”

Skipper Alex Kendellen added: “We knew how important this game was. It’s so tight in the league these days, so it’s good to get the five points.”

additional reporting URC