Ospreys v Leicester

Venue: Liberty Stadium, Swansea
Date: Sunday, 13 January
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT

TEAMS

Ospreys:
15 Richard Fussell
14 Ross Jones
13 Tom Isaacs
12 Andrew Bishop
11 Eli Walker
10 Dan Biggar
9 Kahn Fotuali'i (Capt)
1 Ryan Bevington
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Adam Jones
4 Ian Gough
5 James King
6 Ryan Jones
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Joe Bearman

REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Baldwin
17 Duncan Jones
18 Campbell Johnstone
19 Lloyd Peers
20 Sam Lewis/Jonathan Thomas
21 Rhys Webb
22 Matthew Morgan
23 Jonathan Spratt

Leicester Tigers:

15 Mathew Tait
14 Niall Morris
13 Manusamoa Tuilagi
12 Anthony Allen
11 Adam Thompstone
10 Toby Flood
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Tom Youngs
3 Dan Cole
4 Louis Deacon (c)
5 Geoff Parling
6 Steve Mafi
7 Julian Salvi
8 Jordan Crane

Replacements
16 Rob Hawkins
17 Logovi'i Mulipola
18 Martin Castrogiovanni
19 Ed Slater
20 Thomas Waldrom
21 Sam Harrison
22 George Ford
23 Matt Smith

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

League as it stands;

1 Leicester 4 3 0 1 95 83 2 14
2 Toulouse 4 3 0 1 92 61 1 13
3 Ospreys 4 2 0 2 91 92 1 9
4 Treviso 4 0 0 4 76 118 1 1

Potentially the game of the weekend. Discuss here any pre match, live match and post match chat. Please don't duplicate any topics already discussed on other threads! You know what I'm talking about.

Teams will be updated when available.

Both teams put in rather dismal performances last week having rotated/rested key players. Performances so dire that players from both sides talked about getting hammered if they played like that against Ospreys/Leicester.

At home Ospreys should be clear favourites and were the better team for much of the first fixture - but exposed a soft underbelly well exploited by Tigers.

I understand Ospreys have a mini injury crisis? While Tigers seem to have most of the main men fit.

Should be "fun"

LondonTiger wrote:
I understand Ospreys have a mini injury crisis? While Tigers seem to have most of the main men fit.

Should be "fun"

Will they have the first 16 fit? Either way its bound to have a bit of niggle...both teams really need to win this. Cockerills record in the HC has been hopeless considering the team hes had, time to actually make the knock outs. Ospreys are probably Wales' best hope of representation.

Looking back Ospreys have had a pretty great run of results up to the Zebre debacle, and Tigers havent lost since November ..so despite both being below par last weekend they arent in bad shape.

Tigers have fit players and rested several against Worcester but have a big question over FH options with neither in much form.


This games are hugely unpredictable, so Ill go for Tigers by 7

Dan Biggar his hit a bit of form as of late, he won the game for the Ospreys last weekend, two massive packs, it should be interesting, does anybody know what the ticket sales are so far ?

I believe they are anticipating an attendance of 12k to 15k which is disappointing giving the rivalry and severity of the occasion.

Ospreys will be missing top players like Alun WJ and Dirksen on the wing, otherwise we'll be at full strength. Looking forward to the game. Should be a cracker..

I think beck is out too?

Beck is likely out yeah. Tips is 50/50. To lose one would be a loss, both a disaster.

From last week.

The following players were not considered because of injury:

Ashley Beck - Ankle

Justin Tipuric - Shoulder

Alun Wyn Jones - Shoulder

Hanno Dirksen - Knee

Joe Rees - Neck

Tom Smith - Groin

Aaron Jarvis - Knee

Owen Williams - Hamstring

Ian Evans - Knee

Tom Grabham - Hip

The Guardian Writes "Leicester's top try-scorer this season is penalty tries, which number eight – including two in their last match, at Worcester – compared with the five scored by Manu Tuilagi and Adam Thompstone."

maestegmafia wrote:The Guardian Writes "Leicester's top try-scorer this season is penalty tries, which number eight – including two in their last match, at Worcester – compared with the five scored by Manu Tuilagi and Adam Thompstone."

Yeah fortunately Gloucester and Bath cant try and poach him

PSW like it.

Should be a tough game between two fairly equally matched teams. I think Ospreys will enjoy a bit of home advantage but Tigers will have the stronger bench to bring on. Tigers blew the Ospreys away late on at WR so this game will be touch and go to the final whistle.

It was an interception pass that became the turning point in the last game. Ospreys defence from there on in was like butter. Hopefully Webb will not even be considered a bench option he is that poor. I'm sure you remember he turned his back on Manu and allowed him to get the fourth try? Hopefully the ref lets the teams go at each other in the scrums.

BTW, will Leicester be coming down to play rugby or just spoil and get a losing bonus point?

Cockerill has said the minimum we need is one point but he really wants a win. This Tigers team aren't really built for spoiling, they are quite an attacking unit. Flood isn't the greatest in a kicking contest (territory wise) so he and Youngs often prefer to run it. Only encouraged by the likes of Manu and Allen. Geordan is the tactical general in the tight games.

The Ospreys scrum will be hurting from the first half man shaming at WR. They'll be fired up. I'm looking forward to it.

Of all the teams that have a bit of niggle in their games Ospreys and Tigers is the biggest.

I like it when they meet up,

Don't know how it grew to be such a good rivaly in such a short space of time, when Leinster V Ospreys doesn't carry the same even with O's stealing 2 leagues at the RDS from Leinster, you'd think they would be bigger rivals than Tigers, but no its Tigers that have the niggle and it makes it intresting.

For the Tigers to win, they need to dominate the set-piece.

So the best question I can ask is who's the ref?

If we get one of those mealy-mouthed charlatans who can't differentiate between a prop and a whirligig.

greytiger wrote:For the Tigers to win, they need to dominate the set-piece.

So the best question I can ask is who's the ref?

Ex Munster winger John Lacey.

Not too bothered who wins this. Probably up for my co league-ists the Os.

From a Leinster pov, whether Tigers win or lose is not too relevant. Only fear is if they win this and then draw with Toulouse in WR.

Another Rabo ref when we play Rabo opposition. Disappointing. Really should be a French official in the middle.

For the Tigers to win, they need to dominate the set-piece.

If we're still in it with15 mins to go then I think we'll steal it again. Tigers have a lot of strength on the bench to replace quality on the field. Castro and Mulipola would walk into most teams and one of either Kitchener or Slater and probably Waldrom mean there's significant forward interest with Tait to add some flair in the backs.

A French ref made a bit of a hash of it in the last game, about time they tried somebody else. You sound as pathetic as the French complaining about 'British' refs.

No I think that due to the inconsistencies in law interpretation between the leagues that neutral refs should be used in all games. Thanks for the insult by the way.

I thought the French ref did a good job, he actually reffed the scrums allowing the teams to compete. The Ospreys the first one then took a kicking with the ref taking control with a deserved yc. No bias and the Ospreys were in a position to fight back and win some crucial penalties. I also liked the fact he refused to allow the players to shout at him football style and addressed that early to stop the appealing.

Morgannwg wrote:A French ref made a bit of a hash of it in the last game, about time they tried somebody else. You sound as pathetic as the French complaining about 'British' refs.

Or the Welsh complaining about Al......... Irish Refs who are perceived as French

Joke OK?

Morgannwg wrote:A French ref made a bit of a hash of it in the last game, about time they tried somebody else. You sound as pathetic as the French complaining about 'British' refs.

Rabbo Refs are even more clueless than AP ones, especially Refs who were formally girly backs.

Cockerill wants Liberty win for Tigers
10 January 2013 19:00pmBy Ospreys Rugby

Photo: Huw Evans Agency
The Ospreys have been warned that Leicester will be coming to the Liberty Stadium this weekend with only one thing in mind - winning.

The Tigers' Director of Rugby, who has tasted defeat on his last three visits to Ospreylia, told the Leicester Mercury this week that anything else is "non-negotiable".
Cockerill said:

"We need at least a point out of this game but we are going there to win - that is non-negotiable.

"I would expect Toulouse to be on 18 points after their game against Treviso.

"So if we win, that would set up a winner-takes-all game with Toulouse at Welford Road next week. That would be something we would love to be involved in.

"If we can win both of these games, that will put us on 22 points and we will top the group. Hopefully, that will also give us a home quarter-final. If we get five points out of these two games, we will be on 19 points and would probably be looking at an away quarter-final.

"It is all in our own hands and that is important."

While clearly targeting victory, Cockerill did make it clear the respect he holds the Ospreus in.

"They are a tough side with a lot of international players in there," he said.

"Having Adam Jones back from injury in that scrum makes a huge difference. They are well coached, have a large amount of Welsh internationals in their pack and we respect them."

Tickets for this game remain on sale at the Liberty Stadium Ticket Office, online at www.ospreysrugby.com/buytickets and via the Ticket Hotline on 0844 815 6665.

Ospreys team to face Leics (source: http://www.ospreysrugby.com/rugby/fixtures/5980.php)


15 Richard Fussell

14 Ross Jones

13 Tom Isaacs

12 Andrew Bishop

11 Eli Walker

10 Dan Biggar

9 Kahn Fotuali'i (Capt)

1 Ryan Bevington

2 Richard Hibbard

3 Adam Jones

4 Ian Gough

5 James King

6 Ryan Jones

7 Justin Tipuric

8 Joe Bearman

REPLACEMENTS

16 Scott Baldwin

17 Duncan Jones

18 Campbell Johnstone

19 Lloyd Peers

20 Sam Lewis/Jonathan Thomas

21 Rhys Webb

22 Matthew Morgan

23 Jonathan Spratt

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/15632.php#.UPAXb3egZhc
Leicester Tigers (v Ospreys, Liberty Stadium, Sunday 3pm)
15 Mathew Tait
14 Niall Morris
13 Manusamoa Tuilagi
12 Anthony Allen
11 Adam Thompstone
10 Toby Flood
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Tom Youngs
3 Dan Cole
4 Louis Deacon (c)
5 Geoff Parling
6 Steve Mafi
7 Julian Salvi
8 Jordan Crane

Replacements
16 Rob Hawkins
17 Logovi'i Mulipola
18 Martin Castrogiovanni
19 Ed Slater
20 Thomas Waldrom
21 Sam Harrison
22 George Ford
23 Matt Smith

Good side.

Fingers crossed it'll be a good game. Shame beck and Dirksen are injured for the Os.Huge loss in our back line and attacking threat. Wrap up warm people, it's going to be Baltic on Sunday...

Ps. If fussell scores then I dare you to celebrate mm...

Interesting to see Bevington in the front row after the pasting he took at WR. I thought Duncan Jones would have been given the nod with his experience.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Interesting to see Bevington in the front row after the pasting he took at WR. I thought Duncan Jones would have been given the nod with his experience.

Hasn't Humpreys come out and said Bevington is the future (or was it best in Europe along with Hibbard and Adam Jones?)?

formerly known as Sam wrote:Interesting to see Bevington in the front row after the pasting he took at WR. I thought Duncan Jones would have been given the nod with his experience.

Agreed, Duncan is the form LH for me and he is also quick around the field. The good thing about being on the bench he can improve matters if Bev is being stuffed and he matches the Tigers sub TH. I think the Ospreys will miss Ian Evans and AW Jones but I have been suprised how they have coped with their second string second row. Should be a good game between two very good teams.

Wow big statement that Murphy is left out of the 22, or is he not fit?
Croft rested too as expected although Mafi is pretty much a like for like replacement.

With such a powerful front five and bench Tigers will be looking to penalty try to continue getting on the scoresheet for them.

If Flood finds his head again they should win this

I'd love to see an Ospreys win, but even if they match Leicester 'up front', Tuilagi is the standout player on the pitch and chances are he'll rip the O's backline to shreds.

Can't see any way that the Ospreys can contain him. Then heads will drop and the Tiger's juggernaut will gain momentum.

Blimey, I'm depressing myself now.

Casartelli wrote:I'd love to see an Ospreys win, but even if they match Leicester 'up front', Tuilagi is the standout player on the pitch and chances are he'll rip the O's backline to shreds.

Can't see any way that the Ospreys can contain him. Then heads will drop and the Tiger's juggernaut will gain momentum.

Blimey, I'm depressing myself now.

Keep the faith. Feeling low? Find some inspiration here. www.seanholley.co.uk

formerly known as Sam wrote:No I think that due to the inconsistencies in law interpretation between the leagues that neutral refs should be used in all games. Thanks for the insult by the way.

I thought the French ref did a good job, he actually reffed the scrums allowing the teams to compete. The Ospreys the first one then took a kicking with the ref taking control with a deserved yc. No bias and the Ospreys were in a position to fight back and win some crucial penalties. I also liked the fact he refused to allow the players to shout at him football style and addressed that early to stop the appealing.

Well that isn't what the pundits and Martin Corry thought. There is their words, and then there is your word (IE, the word Pdivvy). I think I'll stick with my original comment.

Jimpy wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:A French ref made a bit of a hash of it in the last game, about time they tried somebody else. You sound as pathetic as the French complaining about 'British' refs.

Rabbo Refs are even more clueless than AP ones, especially Refs who were formally girly backs.

Yes they certainly are.

Breadvan wrote:

Casartelli wrote:I'd love to see an Ospreys win, but even if they match Leicester 'up front', Tuilagi is the standout player on the pitch and chances are he'll rip the O's backline to shreds.

Can't see any way that the Ospreys can contain him. Then heads will drop and the Tiger's juggernaut will gain momentum.

Blimey, I'm depressing myself now.

Keep the faith. Feeling low? Find some inspiration here. www.seanholley.co.uk

Lol. I would pay good money to see a Tuilagi (any one of them) running at Sean Holley.

I think Tigers will get 1-4 points in this game. The Ospreys centre partnership is the worst in Europe so there is no way they'll prevent Tuilagi from scoring a try or two. No idea why Webb is on the bench, unless they haven't named Habberfield in the European squad?

I've gone for Ospreys 4 points Tigers 1 point.

Why the continual belittling of the Os Morg?

71% of poll voters currently think Ospreys will win

Breadvan wrote:Why the continual belittling of the Os Morg?

You're a bit precious to take it as belittling. I'm calling it how I see it and that centre midfield has to be the worst around unless you can think of worse currently playing?

It's not the best I agree but the worst? You just seem to slag us of the majority of the time..

Well you are in a seeming reality. Try to come back to Earth.

Well that isn't what the pundits and Martin Corry thought. There is their words, and then there is your word (IE, the word Pdivvy). I think I'll stick with my original comment.

I'd not heard Cozza's view. I'm sure it will differ from several other pundits though, when the ref makes no major errors his performance will always be subjective. I didn't ask you to change your mind, there's about as much chance of that as a polite response from you.

I've gone for Ospreys 4 points Tigers 1 point.

I'd take that Artful, Tigers away from home are inconsistent and the Ospreys will be well up for it and are strong at home. The Sunday kick off is also likely to limit the travelling support. Wiuld leave us in a good position ahead of the big game vs Tolouse at WR which we have to win.

jeez, life and soul of the party you are...

I dunno... you take a year off due to work and everything changes!
The bi-annual Tiger v Ospreys bun fight on 606 was a sight to behold back in the day!
Most folk on here now seem to be a having a respectful & reasonable discussion.
Viva la change.

Breadvan wrote:Fingers crossed it'll be a good game. Shame beck and Dirksen are injured for the Os.Huge loss in our back line and attacking threat. Wrap up warm people, it's going to be Baltic on Sunday...

Ps. If fussell scores then I dare you to celebrate mm...

Obviously i will celebrate, I am always happy to see him score, just never happy to se him selected over what I consider better fullbacks.

I would much rather see Ross jones at 15 and Fussell at wing than fussell at fullback... He is a week link I am always concerned about.

Casartelli wrote:I'd love to see an Ospreys win, but even if they match Leicester 'up front', Tuilagi is the standout player on the pitch and chances are he'll rip the O's backline to shreds.

Can't see any way that the Ospreys can contain him. Then heads will drop and the Tiger's juggernaut will gain momentum.

Blimey, I'm depressing myself now.

Don't the ospreys have one of the best defences in the RP12, lowest points conceded and Tuilagi a pretty average try scoring rate this season? Tuilagi has only scored two tries.

Ross Jones should get more time at FB but I believe Fuss is a better option in games like this due to experience.

Breadvan wrote:Ross Jones should get more time at FB but I believe Fuss is a better option in games like this due to experience.

Yes we differ there. I prefer youthful confidence and skill over lack of and rabbit in the headlights-esq attack...!

maestegmafia wrote:

Casartelli wrote:I'd love to see an Ospreys win, but even if they match Leicester 'up front', Tuilagi is the standout player on the pitch and chances are he'll rip the O's backline to shreds.

Can't see any way that the Ospreys can contain him. Then heads will drop and the Tiger's juggernaut will gain momentum.

Blimey, I'm depressing myself now.

Don't the ospreys have one of the best defences in the RP12, lowest points conceded and Tuilagi a pretty average try scoring rate this season? Tuilagi has only scored two tries.

5 in 13 games ...above average for a center. Hes only got two against the Ospreys so far though.

But yes its silly to think any single player is certain to score in a specific game, and in general Tigers havent been a big scoring team so far this season. That follows a general pattern for them where they get going and hit form after Christmas.