Let Osprey For A Home Win

By Worried of Whitton
December 9 2004

This week is Round 4 of the Heineken Cup competition, which sees Harlequins play the Neath Swansea Ospreys in the return match at the Stoop on Saturday December 5th with a 15.00pm kick off. To quote Alex Ferguson from last weekend, “just like old times, a 3 o’clock kick off on a Saturday afternoon”

Reports from the stalwart supporters who travelled to Swansea last weekend seemed to echo Ferguson’s words, regarding our performance. Since Sunday evening, there has been a somewhat subdued atmosphere on the board this week following the result last weekend. I think Scotty’s succinct summary of “Disappointed” is how we all have felt this week. I didn’t t see the game so I am not qualified to personally comment on the match, but I doubt there is little that can be added to Alanquins excellent report.  Both Mark Evans and Scotty have stated that we simply were not good enough on the day, “lacking the intensity and physicality that is required to win at this level”.

The match had started so well for Quins when they scored a try after just 62 seconds after Ospreys were looking to apply the early pressure. A huge tackle by centre Dafydd James on Gavin Henson won possession for Harlequins. The ball was kicked ahead into the Ospreys twenty two but the covering Stefan Terblanche gathered the ball and had the opportunity to clear, but his kick was charged down by full back Tom Williams who was left with the simple task of gathering the ball and crossing for the score. Jeremy Staunton added the conversion for an early 7-0 lead. The Ospreys then began to dominate and went on to punish the Quins indiscipline with eight penalty kicks, four in each half. One crumb of comfort was that Quins did prevent the Ospreys scoring a try, but with golden boots Henson on form, they didn’t  have to.

Although the bubbles of our Heineken optimism were burst on Sunday, there is still a lot to play for before the end of the season. I suppose there was some inevitability about our inability to qualify for the knock out stages of this competition but it would certainly have been good for the soul, of the team, management and supporters alike had the outcome of this pool gone down to the final games on January 15^th.  However, I cannot see Harlequins lying down and throwing in the towel like the French club, Bourgoin appear to have done. We still have three exciting games to play, and their results WILL have an outcome as to who finishes top of this pool. Certainly we would not want to finish at the bottom of this group. Quins will be playing for pride in all our remaining games, and will be keen to show The Ospreys on Saturday, exactly what their motto of  “Top Flight Rugby” means. Just a thought, is this what Bette Midler was referring to in her song “Quins v Neath My Wings”?

Another victory for the Ospreys would prolong their slim mathematical hope of qualification for the quarter finals, so it is likely they will be fielding their strongest squad. This  preview will not be as detailed as last week, as the details regarding the Ospreys team can be accessed just click on this link. http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s98/st62361.htm, “Let Osprey for an Away Win”. Once again Ospreys have delayed announcing their squad until Friday, after this preview is published.

Following injuries picked up last week there are some changes to the squad this week. Both Staunton who was substituted last weekend after a knock to his leg and Worsley with a back injury will miss the match this weekend. In addition Quins stalwart Diprose is being rested ahead next weeks Powergen Cup match. As such Adrian Jarvis, who is an England under 21 International, replaces Staunton in a move that will be popular with those who have seen him playing in the “A” team matches. Fitz Gerald replaces Worsley in the front row, at Tight head prop with Ceri Jones moving to loosehead. Luke Sherriff has been drafted in to replace Diprose but will take the field as No.7 as Vos moves into the No.8 position. It is also great to se the return of Ace Tiatia, albeit on the bench. Evans has once again picked Greenwood ahead of Deane , there were a number of comments early in the week regarding his focus but as Evans noted after the first try was scored neither Greenwood, James nor Harder were a in any position for the rest of the game to attack.

Quins clearly know where they went wrong last week, and we expect those lessons have been learned and appropriate measures will be taken on Saturday afternoon. Home advantage should pay dividends again this week, and hopefully the tie should draw a large crowd. It certainly is more appealing than spending the afternoon in the High Street!

Once again the Match Officials are from France with one of last week’s linesman, Christophe Berdos, being “promoted” to referee. It will be interesting to see how he manages the game.

In announcing his team Mark Evans stated “We badly let ourselves down in the game at St Helens last Sunday. It was a performance that was completely uncharacteristic of the way we played throughout much of October and November, as we made far too many errors with the ball in hand that denied us the opportunity to put the Ospreys under any sustained periods of pressure.” He also declared “that it will be different at the Stoop this Saturday!”  

 

Come on you Quins!
You can win this one.

 

Prediction:  Quins with home advantage to win.

NEC Harlequins:
15. Tom Williams,  14.George Harder, 13. Will Greenwood, 12. Dafydd James 11. Simon Keogh, 10. Adrian Jarvis, 9. Steve So’oialo, 1. Ceri Jones, 2. Tani Fuga, 3. Maurice Fitz Gerald, 4.Roy Winters, 5. Simon Miall, 6. Nick Easter,  7. Luke Sheriff  8, Andre Vos (c),
Replacements:  
16. Ace Tiatia, 17. Jon Dawson, 18.Karl Rudzki , 19.Maama Molitika 20. Andy Dunne, 21 Mel Deane , 22. Gavin Duffy 

 

At the time of publication the Ospreys had not announced their squad
Check here http://www.ercrugby.com/cup/25_3180.php for updates

Neath Swansea Ospreys (Last weeks starting line up was):
15. Adrian Durston, 14.Stefan Terblanche, 13.Sonny Parker, 12.Gavin Henson 11. Shane Williams, 10.M Jones, 9.Jason Spice, 1.Duncan Jones, 2.Barry Williams (c) 3. Adam Jones, 4.Andy Newman, 5. Jonathan Thomas 6.James Bater, 7.Ryan Jones 8.Richie Pugh
Replacements:  tba.

Match Officials

Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Touch judges: Daniel Dartigeas, Eric Gauzins (both France)
Assessor: Paul Bridgman