The Ospreys team to play Newport Gwent Dragons 15 Sam Davies 14 Dafydd Howells 13 Kieron Fonotia 12 Josh Matavesi 11 Dan Evans 10 Dan Biggar 9 Tom Habberfield 1 Paul James 2 Scott Baldwin 3 Ma’afu Fia 4 Lloyd Ashley 5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt) 6 Olly Cracknell 7 Justin Tipuric 8 James King REPLACEMENTS 16 Sam Parry 17 Nicky Smith 18 Rhodri Jones 19 Rory Thornton 20 Dan Baker 21 Sam Underhill 22 Brendon Leonard 23 Hanno Dirksen Paul James makes his 210th Ospreys appearance and moves ahead of Andrew Bishop to go second in the all-time appearance list Dan Biggar makes his 196th Ospreys appearance and moves ahead of Adam Jones to go fifth in the all-time appearance list
Why does Tandy do this Welsh thing and keep playing players out of position. I like Sam Davies but he is not a better full back than Evans and he is on the wing and a winger on the bench. It is trying to put suare pegs in round holes and although they are winning whenever he has done this they have looked average.
Sam Davies needs to leave the Ospreys imo. With Biggar and Hook (coming next season) they'll destroy him like they did Hook and Henson before him by playing him 10,12,13 and 15. Sometimes I wonder why the players just don't turn around and say "I'm a fly half/inside centre so play me there" etc. It's exactly the same as when we stick Gylfi on the wing.
TLF - Dirksen is coming back from injury and is being brought back in "gently". We need him when the Six Nations is on. Keelan has a bit if a sore shoulder so is being "saved".
But he did the same on boxing day and earlier in the season away at one of the Irish regions where we got thumped. It helps sam not one bit playing at full back as he is a 10 and looks out of sorts and shows he is just not a full back. I just think he needs to be at 10. we are doing what England did years ago looking for any position to play someone as they should start ( Lampard and gerrard) There must be more than one winger spare at the club, where is Ben John, I know a centre but has done well on the wing (that blows my argument away) It just smacks of we have to play Sam and Biggar and this is the only way to do it. It is ruining Davies and clearly not fair on him.
Just goes to show that regional rugby is not working in terms of producing quality players in all positions. Why not give somebody from Neath, academy or other feeder clubs a game? Sam Davies will end up like Henson and Hook.
TLF The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury: Tyler Ardron - Thumb Dmitri Arhip - Shoulder Bradley Davies - Knee Tom Grabham – Shin/Knee Jeff Hassler – Achilles Ben John – Groin Dan Lydiate - Knee Eli Walker - Foot Owen Watkin – Knee
I suppose that justifies it then, but he has done this in the past when we had a full squad. I don't like playing players out of position, but if needs must.
That is my worry Valley he is looking fantastic at 10, but will be shunted around position wise and I have no doubt whilst he wants to play he must be frustrated. I actually think he is playing better than Biggar at the moment and maybe for this game that Biggar should play at 15 and Sam at 10.
Well if Sam is offered a dual contract at the end of the season he might not be allowed to stay with us what with Biggar already on a dual contract.
Sam has signed a new contract, and wants to stay. He had offers elsewhere but chose to stay. WRU would not move him. I suspect that Sam is viewed as the future rather than Dan.
I don't understand why they haven't tried Sam at 10 and Biggar at 12. That's the combo I want to see. Get a powerhouse with pace at 13 and I think it could work very well.
It will be interesting to see what role Hook will have next season. Sam at 10, Biggar at 12 and Hook at 13. You heard it hear first
Nope - not unless there are a pile of injuries. Back-up for during the Autumn Internationals & Six Nations. Don't want a situation where Matavesi plays 10 again.....
I was fishing then In all seriousness though, it was a good move. As you say, he'll play during autumns/6Nations etc and he'll bring a wealth of experience.
I've only seen Nigel Owen refereeing televised matches but he is by far the best I've ever seen, in any sport.