Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys, 1 November

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Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys
Sunday 1 November 2015
KO 14:30
Scotstoun Stadium

Live on BBC ALBA/S4C

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU, 64th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Lloyd Linton, Mike Adamson (both SRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Montgomery (SRU)
TMO: Jim Fleming (SRU)

A. Head to Head

25 Played 25
11 Wins 12
12 Losses 11
2 Draws 2
473 Points 560

B. Form

21 February 2015
Glasgow Warriors 19 - 16 Ospreys

8 May 2015
Ospreys 21 - 10 Glasgow Warriors

C. Teams

Glasgow Warriors

15. Tommy Seymour
14. Lee Jones
13. Richie Vernon
12. Peter Horne
11. Sean Lamont
10. Duncan Weir
09. Mike Blair

01. Gordon Reid
02. Pat MacArthur
03. Sila Puafisi
04. Greg Peterson
05. Leone Nakarawa
06. Rob Harley (Captain)
07. Simone Favaro
08. Ryan Wilson

16. James Malcolm
17. Alex Allan
18. Zander Fagerson
19. Scott Cummings
20. Chris Fusaro
21. Ali Price
22. Sam Johnson
23. Taqele Naiyaravoro

Ospreys

15 Dan Evans
14 Tom Grabham
13 Ben John
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Eli Walker
10 Dan Biggar
09 Brendon Leonard

01 Paul James
02 Sam Parry
03 Aaron Jarvis
04 Lloyd Ashley (Capt)
05 Rory Thornton
06 Dan Lydiate
07 Justin Tipuric
08 James King

16 Scott Baldwin
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Dmitri Arhip
19 Alun Wyn Jones
20 Dan Baker
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Sam Davies
23 Jonathan Spratt

RDW_Scotland wrote:How can you be a serving solider and pro rugby player at the same time?

I think the forces have an arrangement with clubs, similar to that covering Rokoduguni at Bath - essentially they're on a form of extended leave.

I'd be curious to see if Junior is contracted out to one of the BT Prem clubs, or whether he just sticks with the Army.

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU, 64th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Lloyd Linton, Mike Adamson (both SRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Montgomery (SRU)
TMO: Jim Fleming (SRU)

15 Dan Evans
14 Tom Grabham
13 Ben John
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Eli Walker

10 Dan Biggar
9 Brendon Leonard

1 Paul James
2 Sam Parry
3 Aaron Jarvis

4 Lloyd Ashley (Capt)
5 Rory Thornton

6 Dan Lydiate
7 Justin Tipuric
8 James King

REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Baldwin
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Dmitri Arhip
19 Alun Wyn Jones
20 Dan Baker
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Sam Davies
23 Jonathan Spratt

The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Tyler Ardron - Knee
Adam Beard – Shoulder
Ashley Beck – ACL
Hanno Dirksen - Hip
Jeff Hassler – Knee
Nicky Smith - Ankle
De Kock Steenkamp - Hip
Dan Suter – Neck
Rhys Webb – Foot

Ifereimi Boladau and Matthew Dwyer were unavailable for selection due to involvement with British Army Rugby at the IDRC tournament

15. Tommy Seymour
14. Lee Jones
13. Richie Vernon
12. Peter Horne
11. Sean Lamont
10. Duncan Weir
9. Mike Blair

1. Gordon Reid
2. Pat MacArthur
3. Sila Puafisi
4. Greg Peterson
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Rob Harley (Captain)
7. Simone Favaro
8. Ryan Wilson

Replacements

16. James Malcolm
17. Alex Allan
18. Zander Fagerson
19. Scott Cummings
20. Chris Fusaro
21. Ali Price
22. Sam Johnson
23. Taqele Naiyaravoro

Plenty internationals returning, and Lee Jones rather interestingly keeping Big T out of the starting XV.

Scotland players were reviewed on their return from the Rugby World Cup and subsequently the club has issued the following injury update:

Henry Pyrgos
Scrum-half Henry Pyrgos exacerbated a wrist injury while away with Scotland and has undergone surgery at Spire Leeds Hospital, whilst under the care of the Scotland medical team. He is expected to be out of action for around four months.

Fraser Brown
Hooker Fraser Brown has had an operation on a foot injury exacerbated while away with Scotland at the Rugby World Cup and is expected to remain on the sidelines for up to eight weeks.

Other players are currently undergoing investigation at BMI Ross Hall Hospital and updates will be provided in due course.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: “We wish Henry (Pyrgos) and Fraser (Brown) all the best with their rehab and we look forward to welcoming them back into the squad when they’ve recovered from their respective injuries.”

The Gibbon.

Why god? Why, I ask you?

PenfroPete wrote:Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU, 64th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Lloyd Linton, Mike Adamson (both SRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Montgomery (SRU)
TMO: Jim Fleming (SRU)

15 Dan Evans
14 Tom Grabham
13 Ben John
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Eli Walker

10 Dan Biggar
9 Brendon Leonard

1 Paul James
2 Sam Parry
3 Aaron Jarvis

4 Lloyd Ashley (Capt)
5 Rory Thornton

6 Dan Lydiate
7 Justin Tipuric
8 James King

REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Baldwin
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Dmitri Arhip
19 Alun Wyn Jones
20 Dan Baker
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Sam Davies
23 Jonathan Spratt

The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Tyler Ardron - Knee
Adam Beard – Shoulder
Ashley Beck – ACL
Hanno Dirksen - Hip
Jeff Hassler – Knee
Nicky Smith - Ankle
De Kock Steenkamp - Hip
Dan Suter – Neck
Rhys Webb – Foot

Ifereimi Boladau and Matthew Dwyer were unavailable for selection due to involvement with British Army Rugby at the IDRC tournament

That is as strong a 23 as we can put out except for 2nd row and tight head prop IMO, why is Ashley and Jarvis in the squad never mind starting ? Why is 4 of the 5 first choice tight players on the bench when we are starting other returnees? Bernardo is a far superior 2nd Row to Ashley who to compound matters is still Captain. The recently signed tight head prop could be seen taking part in scrummaging sessions to the first choice pack in the middle of the week, it should be Arhip starting with the newcomer on the bench, Jarvis is not good enough in the scrum to warrant his selection, with Glasgow still resting a few players this was an ideal opportunity to get our season back on track, can't see it somehow.

Am I missing something, the OP states that this game is live on BBC alba and S4C - I've tried to watch it on my laptop and it doesn't seem to be on?

Edit - just realised this game is on tomorrow. Hangover brain fart there.

The OP also says its on Sunday mate

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:The OP also says its on Sunday mate

I like to think that I did everything I could.

RDW_Scotland wrote:How can you be a serving solider and pro rugby player at the same time?

Not sure, but the likes of Semesa Rokoduguni is in the same boat. He juggles between Bath and the Army.

Incidentally, the Army lost this game to...guess who? The Fiji Military Force.

Hopefully Toonie was there taking down the names and phone numbers of their players as they left the field.

Anyone know how Lamont was at FB btw?

Nematode wrote:Anyone know how Lamont was at FB btw?

I think the fact that he's been moved back to the wing for this game has to mean something. Seymour probably a better footballer, all told. Didier Hoggba still being rested, it seems.

We really, really need to win this match. Ospreys look a little patchy across the 23 still (like us) but still have a lot of superstars in that team. Very difficult to call although having last season's main midfield pairing back should help us a lot.

Look out for Big Tacky to come on in the last 20, score 2 tries and then pick up his now customary yellow card.

Not a bad trade off.

What time is this game on at? Now 14.30 or 15.30?

Started at 14.30. Live on Alba. Glasgow 3-6 down.

Thanks Converter.

Nakarawa at it again with the offloads, great to watch.

spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch... repeat.
Biggar nails one.

ANYONE GOT LINK ?

Doing ourselves in with penalties again.

alive555 wrote:ANYONE GOT LINK ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/34692179

Is the commentator speaking a Scottish version of Welsh? Speaking English now with a jock accent. Still can't understand him.

TMO going back to a knock on in the first half?

Cardiff Dave wrote:

alive555 wrote:ANYONE GOT LINK ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/34692179

thanks. cant access that im outside uk . anyone else ?

Glagow been practicing the back handed pass. They're all at it. Good to watch.

Swanspreys lose again. Diabolical!

Ospreys have little chance of the top 6 this year the same goes for Cardiff and Newport based teams.

Wasn't able to watch it, but it was 31-19 in the end to the dodgers of the soap.

Big Tacky with TBP score in the last minute.

Did the Os really get 2 players sinbinned? What were the cards for? I suppose that they were Gibbon-tastic?

glamorganalun wrote:Ospreys have little chance of the top 6 this year the same goes for Cardiff and Newport based teams.

I believe and understand this.

Not sure what the yellow cards were for, I will watch scrum V at 7pm, not sure if the crowd or the ref was controlling the game, I gave up just after the second yellow.

George Carlin wrote:Wasn't able to watch it, but it was 31-19 in the end to the dodgers of the soap.

Big Tacky with TBP score in the last minute.

Did the Os really get 2 players sinbinned? What were the cards for? I suppose that they were Gibbon-tastic?

 George they were given for our indiscipline and they were totally justified. TRULY TRULY AWFUL and I'm not talking about the Referee even though he made some mistakes it was against both teams especially in the first half, a kick for us when a player allegedly tried to play on after being tackled, when he wasn't held, and supposedly our captain was penalised for a high tackle when the first contact was at chest height, neither deserved what they got.
As I said earlier some of our play was TRULY TRULY AWFUL, we must have missed more one on one tackles to last a season, our best attacking move involved AWJ and Baldwin, that says enough for me, what is happening to my team, it is as though they are NOT playing for the JERSEY.

Fantastic win for Glasgow, and crucial to get the BP.

Some very strong performances with Peterson the pick of the new signings. He's a huge lump but is no Richard Metcalf - he looks to have something about him. He'll work well with Nakarawa in the 6N.

Cardiff Dave wrote:Is the commentator speaking a Scottish version of Welsh? Speaking English now with a jock accent. Still can't understand him.

BBC Alba is the Scottish Gaelic channel, so yes, you could call it "a Scottish version of Welsh". But probably not to Hugh-Dan's face. His commentaries are legendary! One from last year to his (English speaking) guest - "Do you know what the Gaelic for incredible is?" ."Matawalu!"

demosthenes wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Is the commentator speaking a Scottish version of Welsh? Speaking English now with a jock accent. Still can't understand him.

BBC Alba is the Scottish Gaelic channel, so yes, you could call it "a Scottish version of Welsh". But probably not to Hugh-Dan's face.  His commentaries are legendary!  One from last year to his (English speaking) guest - "Do you know what the Gaelic for incredible is?" ."Matawalu!"

Glasgow thoroughly deserved to win even if they did cut it fine for the bonus point try.

The first yellow was an accumulation of break down penalties across the pitch. Ospreys warned next one would go and Matavesi was the unfortunate party. Think specifically it was the 3rd time Gibbon was unhappy at the tackler not rolling away. The 2nd time, to be fair, the Ospreys player knocked the ball out of a Glasgow hand as they tried to go quickly from the wrong spot. Probably annoyed the ref into saying the next one goes.

The second yellow was Bevington taking out a support runner off the ball on a line break from Horne going into the 22. It was cynical and a blatant yellow. That took them down to 13 for 3 or 4 minutes from memory.

There could have been a third as the ginger Osprey's 20 decided to no arms tackle the Glasgow tighthead Puafisi with his head. Somehow the tighthead came worse off, there was no yellow and the ginger 20, even after the replays, did not require a HIA. Not sure how.

I also think Alun Wyn Jones came around the side and then knocked the ball back into a ruck on the try line right before Naiyaravaro crashed over. If Glasgow did not score and the ref saw it, it would have been a yellow but need to see the play again to confirm it was not a Glasgow foot.

Good win for Glasgow.

Thoughts
-Glasgow need to become more clinical in the first half, but scoring tries will never be a problem because we wear opponents down. After an hour, most teams can't keep with us. Against the best teams though, getting on top the scoreboard early is a must.
-Big T is a beast and work needs to be done to crash ball him 5 metres out. He is near unstoppable. His defensive positioning and understanding needs a lot of work though. Felt his positioning cost a try today. This can be coached...I hope.
-Weir's kicking was poor but ran the game acceptably. Horne was the true spark at 12 though. He seemed to be playing at another level today and was my MOTM
-The scrum does not look great on the tighthead side (Damn you De Klerk ). Not sure how much of this is down to Puafisi or that the Osprey's had a big pack today. He seemed to adapt after a couple of penalties so there is hope for the Champions Cup.
-Seymour competent at FB, but it is such a pain Bryce and Murchie are out. Hogg got overworked at the World Cup and without another specialist there, he is in for a long season.

-Osprey's looked slow and lethargic in comparison to Glasgow. A common problem that will not be an issue over the winter season, but I do not know who is there spark?
-Plenty of ball carriers in the pack, but only Tipuric seemed comfortable in the defensive breakdown area for me. Glasgow targeted him I felt and Osprey's just could not kill the ball without lying on it without him (have not looked at stats so they will be better than my anecdotal (biased) views)
-Matavesi seemed to be complaining to the ref about his yellow while going off. Not happy about that. Ask for clarity earlier if needed. Whining gets you nowhere!
-To be honest I don't really remember Osprey's doing much with the ball. Biggar given little time. How many of that backline is first choice outside of him?
-Feel that Osprey's have the talent to compete with Munster for 4th. Don't think it was worth it bringing all those Wales players back so soon. An extra week and a warm up against Zebre before the Champions Cup may have been better. There is a long way to go.

Saw the game at Scotstoun then again on t'telly. Great win for Glasgow. Well deserved winners

Horne - great running and tackling - MOTM for me.
Vernon - really beggining to look comfortable in the centres
Meatball - best display for a long time. couple of poor kicks but ran the game well and offered a real running threat.
Blair - boy he was a good signing for the great unwashed especially now that Pyrgos is injured. Showed real class and composure
Grant - a decent game.
Big Naka - I love to watch him play - real heart in the mouth stuff.

Is this were Glasgows season turns around? the bonus point win puts them back in contention and also denying the Ospreys anything pretty much puts them out.

Funkygibbon had a decent game I thought - no major blunders, used the tmo sparingly and well.

Highlights:

Weir seems to be regressing. He was truly terrible yesterday. Knocked on two, missed sitters, passed terribly and wasted overlaps. Had anoyone else been at 10 we would have scored a fair few more.

When he first came through I thought at best he could be very good, at worst another Dan Parks. I think that does a disservice to the Aussie with the sideburns. He doesn't look Pro12 standard, let alone international.

I'd like to see him move on and hopefully find some of the form from 2/3 years ago. He doesn't fit Glasgow's style and is wasting a potent backline.

I disagree about Weir in this game - a much better performance than previously - one of the knock ons was a poor pass he couldn't reach and he distributed well I thought - and his running was a real threat. I agree he needs to find the form he showed and he could do with a starting berth in a team which he won't get at Glasgow - but he was perfectly OK yesterday.

I only saw the game on the box, twice, and I thought Meatball did quite well. Interestingly , he seemed to be trying to play more of a running game.
I thought last time out that the difference between himself and Dancer was very obvious; Meatball was all about taking the ball up to the line and then looking to play in the runners taking their lines off him ( in which respect the difference between a good 10 and a mediocre one is the timing of the pass and the decision about who to pass to) whereas Dancer just seems to make it up as he goes along but in a Charlie Parker improvising way not a George Osbourne we've no money what'll we do now way. Yesterday Meatball looked to be trying to mix it more and ran well, kicked with varied success and generally had a good game.
He does have the look of someone who knows he has to develop his game if he wants to keep the jersey, but then so do almost all of the Warriors. Which may be why we are the reigning Pro 12 Champions.

Having made the trek over to the West yesterday I was bemused by the big yellow burny thing in the sky?  Surely it can't have been the sun as so often seen over here on the sunny east coast - but what was it?  Where was the horizontal rain? I amnot going back if you put this in the sky again - its not right I tell you. I think it was some sort of ray gun

All of the reports I saw said that Weir actually played well.

The tipping point will come if Hunter is given a chance and plays well (which he has shown every sign of being able to do). That time will almost certainly come during the 6 Nations unless Rhubarb comes back into the fold with Wasps and starts playing well. Gopperth's act of thuggery at the weekend will have done nothing to harm his cause.

A few numbers off the belly and Weir will be another Carter

I'm really surprised you guys saw it totally differently.

He did make a couple of runs, but that was due to his poor positioning. The rush defence came up on him and he had no choice but to barrel his way though. He does have a low centre of gravity and did spin off a bit, but his distribution to the outside backs was dire.

I looked at his stats and he made a pretty poor 3 tackles, one of which he missed, and conceded 3 turnovers.