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Ospreys could pull themselves back into contention in European Rugby Champions Cup Pool 2 on Sunday as they lock horns with Northampton Saints for the second time in eight days at the Liberty Stadium
Ospreys could pull themselves back into contention in European Rugby Champions Cup Pool 2 on Sunday as they lock horns with Northampton Saints for the second time in eight days at the Liberty Stadium, live on BT Sport.
- Pro 14 region Ospreys clinched a 43-32 success at Franklin's Garden last weekend in a classic continental encounter, which saw hosts Northampton Saints rally from 43-8 down to come close to what would have been a historic comeback, but it was not to be for the Aviva Premiership outfit.
- It was, though, to be the end of the road for Northampton Saints head coach Jim Mallinder, who was subsequently relived of his duties after more than a decade with the Midlands club, with attack coach Alan Dickens now in temporary charge.
- Three defeats from the opening three rounds means Northampton Saints' European campaign is effectively over, yet Ospreys stand just six points adrift of Pool 2 leaders ASM Clermont Auvergne, who have to take on defending champions Saracens again on Sunday, a result the Welsh region will hope to see go the way of the Aviva Premiership side to keep the group a three-horse race.
- Ospreys full-back Dan Evans collected a brace of tries last Saturday to his Champions Cup tally to six this season, while Northampton Saints will hope the work of winger Ahsee Tuala comes into play this weekend, the Samoan international has made seven offloads in the competition so far, ranking him second in the statistics.
Ospreys claimed second place in Champions Cup Pool 2 with their second bonus-point win in a week over Northampton Saints. - 17/12/2017 19:07
Ospreys claimed second place in Champions Cup Pool 2 with their second bonus-point win in a week over Northampton Saints.
- Rhys Webb scored two tries and there was one apiece from Dmitri Arhip and Justin Tipuric as the Welsh region went two points ahead of Saracens, who went down 24-21 at leaders ASM Clermont Auvergne.
- It was the prop Arhip who gave the hosts a blistering start, finishing off in the corner after Tom Habberfield's thrilling run.
- Harry Mallinder scuppered a great chance for a quick reply with a delayed final pass and two Sam Davies penalty gave Ospreys an 11-0 lead after a rather scrappy first half.
- There was hope for Saints after a difficult week when Piers Francis' cross-kick was knocked down by Ashee Tuala and Mallinder curled himself into a ball to avoid touch on his way over the line.
- A Francis penalty then reduced arrears to 11-8, but Ospreys then turned up the heat, replacement Webb touching down, before a lovely move was finished off by Tipuric.
- Webb grabbed his second, and the bonus point, soon afterwards. A Reece Marshall close-range try in injury time barely raised a smile from the men in green.
- Ospreys' bid to reach the quarter-finals rests on a home game with Saracens in mid-January before they travell to Clermont in their final fixture. Northampton have now lost all four of their Pool 2 fixtures.
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