Off Topic Ospreys, Wales & BIL

In many respects, the match the week after against the Dragons is more important....

 

Didn't see the game, evil Wife, but good to hear we made a fist of it.

Its hard for a team when it takes its foot off the gas, for whatever reason, especially when it wants it to get back up to speed because the negative momentum built up is hard to stop.

The more successful a team the steeper the hill it rolls down when things go awry and the harder it is to make the necessary U-turn to turn it around.

Before we start to hurt teams again we got to go through the individual pain. Each player has to get selfish and concentrate on himself, how he trains, how he plays and what changes can be made to force through an improvement. They do that and they will improve individually and these collective improvements will transpose into the spirit we seem to be lacking right now. Then we will be stronger and able to turn the heavy corner ahead and start slogging our way back up the hill, back to the top.

It wont be quick process or an easy one but if at any time any of our players needs inspiration to improve then all he need do is look ten miles west and at his opposite number to see what players with grit and a team with spirit can achieve. The difference right now between us and the Scarlets is where we hope, they believe. Its all in the top two inches.

 

Whats happened guys?

Check out @ChilliWilcox’s Tweet:

 

Penislised? Sounds awful!

 

Basically, the revised Gatland's Law, agreed between the WRU & the Regions, is that once players have earned 60 Welsh Caps they are free to move anywhere (England, France, Ireland and etc) and still be eligible / available to play for Wales.

If they have fewer - then they are out of scope. Rhys has c38 caps.

I think that Biggar has around 55 currently - so should reach the magic 60 by the time he leaves.

 

Sorry,still in the dark.
Its like the game,too many rules for someone who just wants to watch and enjoy.

 

Now I understand.Seems a strange rule but thats the WRU for you.
In a way I can understand it,trying to keep best players on homesoil.

Check out @simonrug’s Tweet:

 

What a stupid rule!!

 

It's an attempt to keep the better younger players in Wales.

The agreement reached between the WRU & Regions is an attempt to:

A) allow the Welsh Coach to have "access to and control over" Welsh players whenever they are required/selected for National duty.

B) help protect the Regions against the fat wallets of the French & English clubs.

C) encourage the players to recognise that (local clubs and) the Development Programmes of the Regions have helped them become better players.

The model is, I understand, similar to the one operated by Australia.

 

For WRU read La Cosa Nostra....."We tell you who and where you play rugby,we own you"
Fukn ridiculous.

 

Never liked this rule one bit, stopping players from making a living by threat is detrimental to the careers and development of Welsh players and Welsh rugby. It sadly shows the new WRU to be just as fearful and unimaginative as its predecessors.

Shows the WRU think of one thing and that is the money the Welsh team can make them. They could care less about the talent that wears the red shirt or anything outside of the WRU purview and millenium stadium plc. Just like judgment day, they gave no thought or consideration to the businesses that rely on the full-houses of derby day to make their money. Judgement Day, what a pathetic tag, was a WRU money spinner and OK if your a vendor in Cardiff, OK for the millenium stadium PLC but very bad for the regions and local businesses.

Does anyone have any interest in or understanding of the new Guinness PRO14?

 

Hi Stumpy - I'm an Ospreys season ticket holder and know all the Directors personally.

Yep, I have a great deal of interest - looking forward to next season (or the one after) when it will be the PRO16

 

Gee whiz hark at you Taff

 

Ha ha!

Yep - I move in exalted circles .....

 

In your eyes maybe hehehe

 

If he did not know then what planet has he been on......

 

I'm told he knew

 

I can understand the ruling and i can understand why players want to play abroad in france or anywhere else. MONEY But they know the rules at the end of the day and it is their choice...

 

Team to play the Saracens tomorrow evening:

15 Dan Evans
14 Jeff Hassler
13 Kieron Fonotia
12 Owen Watkin
11 Cory Allen
10 Dan Biggar
9 Tom Habberfield

1 Nicky Smith
2 Sam Parry
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Adam Beard
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
6 Dan Lydiate
7 Justin Tipuric
8 James King

REPLACEMENTS

16 Scott Baldwin
17 Paul James
18 Ma’afu Fia
19 Lloyd Ashley
20 Guy Mercer
21 Brendon Leonard
22 Sam Davies
23 James Hook

FYI: The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury

Dan Baker - Knee
Ashley Beck – Shoulder
Olly Cracknell - Shoulder
Hanno Dirksen – Knee
Ben John - HIA
Brian Mujati – Shoulder
Scott Otten - Shoulder
Rory Thornton – Shoulder
Eli Walker – Back
Rhys Webb - Knee

 

This is a great game so far.