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Ospreys fans react to their inclusion in the Champions Cup pool of death
By Josh Raisey
Ospreys’ return to the Champions Cup after a year’s absence suffered a major setback on Wednesday when they were landed in next season’s pool of death following the draw in Switzerland.
Allen Clarke’s team only qualified for the tournament through the skin of their teeth by beating the Scarlets in a play-off, but they will face reigning champions Saracens, last season’s semi-finalists Munster, and runners-up from the season before Racing 92.
Free-spending Racing are in search of an elusive Champions Cup title. After losing in two of the past four finals, they are bolstering their squad ahead of next season in the pursuit of winning the competition.
With the addition of Stephen Larkham and Graham Rowntree to Munster’s coaching staff next season, the two-time champions are expected to be a force. Meanwhile, Saracens have won three of the last four titles and keep improving year on year.
This is undoubtedly the hardest group in the 2019/20 competition, but Ospreys have recruited well ahead of next season for moments like these.
Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe joined the club in order to have greater exposure in Europe and he will now spearhead the only Welsh side’s campaign.
Nonetheless, Ospreys fans are lamenting being drawn in this group. They knew that the Champions Cup was going to be tough, but it is bad luck to be drawn in such a devilish pool. This has been the reaction:
While there are certainly no easy pools in the Champions Cup these days, few would argue that this one (Pool Four) is not the group of death.
Then again, many fans are remaining upbeat with the rationale that you must beat the best in order to become the best.
One thing is for certain, a European giant of the past few years will not make the quarter-finals next season.
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Latest Comments
The main problem with the ABs is the captaincy - Barrett is mia and has no influence with refs.
Speaking of refs - Gardner is a disgrace and the only positive thing I have to say about him is - he wont be reffing the Wallabies. Egotistical, inconsistent and myopic - simply woeful.
Go to commentsYes but the sovereign of NZ is an English King not Maori. The dominant and ruling culture is not Maori. England also has a long history of Christianity so perhaps the Christian hymn would fit better in that country than the Pagan Haka in NZ(also a Christian country)?
England has historical links to their old colonies and in fairness 'Swing Low' its a better choice than a supremacist song.
Kiwis are indulged a lot getting the Haka played at every match in the order they insist on. In short.... lets all accept each others little cultural quirks without the self righteousness and over policing?
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