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Ospreys coach Gruff Rees has challenged his men to front-up to Lyon's legion of experienced stars in their European Rugby Challenge Cup clash. - 19/10/2016 14:05
Ospreys coach Gruff Rees has challenged his men to front-up to Lyon’s legion of experienced stars in their European Rugby Challenge Cup clash.
The Welsh region travel to the Matmut Stadium on the back of a thumping 45-0 triumph over Newcastle Falcons. But they face a tall task against TOP14 new boys Lyon, who stormed to a 39-13 triumph over last season’s Challenge Cup semi-finalists Grenoble.
Lyon may be in their first Challenge Cup for two seasons, but they have a wealth of European experience in their ranks. The former RC Toulon trio of Freddie Michalak, Rudi Wolf and Delon Armitage have all lifted the Champions Cup in recent seasons, and are out to add the Challenge Cup to their cluttered trophy cabinet.
A total of 12 Ospreys have been named in Rob Howley’s squad for the Autumn international series, including Rory Thornton and Sam Davies, who are set to win their first caps.
But they will be fully focused on claiming victory in Lyon, as a win would see the Ospreys seize control of Pool 2. And Rees knows the size of the challenge that lies ahead.
He said: “It will be a tough ask away from home, they are one of the oldest and most experienced sides we will face if you look at the players they have recruited. They have some marquee players in the backline like Mike Harris, Delon Armitage, Rudi Wolf and Freddie Michalak.
“These guys know their way around a rugby pitch and have frightening athleticism, and that is all behind a huge pack. They have an endless list of experienced French caps. They have been successful at home and have adapted to the TOP14 well. It presents a different physical challenge but we want to attack them in a smart and efficient manner.
“It could be the most difficult game for us if you look what they did to Grenoble last week. They were relentless and their power game told which might give them some momentum. We want to address our poor away record in Europe, and what an opportunity for our young group.”
Match facts
- Lyon are facing Welsh opposition for the first time in European competition.
- Ospreys are currently on a 10-match losing streak away to TOP 14 clubs with all those games coming in the Champions Cup.
- Lyon have won six of their last seven Saturday matches in the Challenge Cup (L1).
- Last season’s Pro D2 champions have won their last four games in the competition.
- Just one of Lyon’s six previous home games in the Challenge Cup has been decided by a margin of more than 10 points.
Teenager Keelan Giles scorched over for a hat-trick as Ospreys maintained their blistering start to the European Rugby Challenge Cup. - 22/10/2016 22:14
Teenager Keelan Giles scorched over for a hat-trick as Ospreys maintained their blistering start to the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
The 18-year-old finished a team attack for the first and danced through for his second before half-time before claiming his third with a near length of the field effort early in the second half.
Sam Parry then squeezed over in the final minute to clinch the bonus-point, with Sam Davies converting all four tries, to complete a perfect night for Steve Tandy’s side.
Lyon’s pack tried to ruffle Ospreys feathers, particularly as they dominated the scrum that handed Jacques Louis Potgieter an early penalty kick. But the hosts could do little to contain the Ospreys backline that bristled with ambition every time they touched the ball.
Dafydd Howells, Josh Matavesi and James King all combined to hand Giles an easy finish on 16 minutes.
Giles revelled outside Matavesi’s play but his second was all his own work, jinking past two defenders before stepping on the gas to score.
The Wales Under-20s wing proved just effective at the other end with a try-saving tackle on opposite number Henry Clunies-Ross after Potgeiter’s drop goal remarkably bounced twice along the crossbar.
It was a telling blow for the Ospreys on the stroke of half-time as Lyon failed to breach the try line despite previously going close Sami Mavinga and Curtis Browning.
Ospreys defence, spearheaded by Dan Lydiate, Lloyd Ashley and Ollie Cracknell, then set up the third as Giles scooped up a loose ball inside his own 22 and galloped clear. Davies converted to open a 24-3 lead early in the second half
Matavesi was binned for a high tackle and Curtis Browning got a pushover try for the hosts. Rory Thorton and Cracknell both lost possession over the line as Ospreys pushed for the bonus and thought it had slipped through their grasp until replacement hooker Parry went over in the last minute.
Franck Romanet barged over in the final seconds but it was too late to prevent Ospreys claiming a second bonus-point win in Pool 2.
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