Ospreys boss: Rugby's most unwanted job?

After winning just one of their opening eight games of the season, the Ospreys have parted ways with head coach Allen Clarke.

The Northern Irishman leaves the post that he has held for just over a year with his former side sitting second from bottom in Conference A in the Pro14 and at the bottom of their group in the Champions Cup.

The region have struggled this season with a combination of players being at the Rugby World Cup and injuries, and Clarke has had to operate with a decimated squad which has seen Dan Lydiate start at lock. It is for that reason some people are sympathetic towards the former head coach, as he did guide the Ospreys to the Champions Cup last season, the only coach in Wales to do so.

Moreover, many have been critical of the entire structure of the Ospreys, suggesting this was an impossible task to Clarke to have any success.

However, some are still critical of how the Ospreys have played over the past 15 months, and although injuries are an excuse this season, that does not seem to be a legitimate reason, with the players’ conditioning even coming under fire.

What does seem abundantly clear is that this does not seem like a job that many would-be desirous of. The next coach would be inheriting an injury-ravaged squad, which includes marquee summer signing Gareth Anscombe being out for the season, meaning they face a mammoth task of achieving any success.

While some fans have suggested coaches like Rob Howley and Mike Ruddock to take over, the consensus seems to be that this will not only be a challenge for the next coach, but it will be a challenge in itself to even find a willing replacement. What is worse, is that there is a demand for a high calibre coach to revive the Ospreys’ poor fortunes in recent years, which only makes the recruitment process harder.

The 44-3 loss to Saracens at Allianz Park last Saturday may have been the final nail in the coffin for Clarke, and question will now be who replaces him.