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Ospreys fans react to their inclusion in the Champions Cup pool of death
Ospreys’ return to the Champions Cup after a year’s absence suffered a major setback on Wednesday when they were landed in next season’s pool of death following the draw in Switzerland.
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Allen Clarke’s team only qualified for the tournament through the skin of their teeth by beating the Scarlets in a play-off, but they will face reigning champions Saracens, last season’s semi-finalists Munster, and runners-up from the season before Racing 92.
Free-spending Racing are in search of an elusive Champions Cup title. After losing in two of the past four finals, they are bolstering their squad ahead of next season in the pursuit of winning the competition.
With the addition of Stephen Larkham and Graham Rowntree to Munster’s coaching staff next season, the two-time champions are expected to be a force. Meanwhile, Saracens have won three of the last four titles and keep improving year on year.
This is undoubtedly the hardest group in the 2019/20 competition, but Ospreys have recruited well ahead of next season for moments like these.
The debates are already starting to rage about next season's #ChampionsCup and #ChallengeCupRugby 🔥
The draw brought about a couple of tasty clashes for us all to look forward to 🤩
Here some highlights of a TENSE pool draw 🎞 pic.twitter.com/L0SFWG4htL
— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) June 19, 2019
Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe joined the club in order to have greater exposure in Europe and he will now spearhead the only Welsh side’s campaign.
Nonetheless, Ospreys fans are lamenting being drawn in this group. They knew that the Champions Cup was going to be tough, but it is bad luck to be drawn in such a devilish pool. This has been the reaction:
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— Nett 🐶🏴🏋️👟💪🏼🏉🖤🍻🐕 (@NettThom) June 19, 2019
You might need life insurance in that pool 😧😧 that take pool of death to another level 😬
— John Hawryluk 🇺🇦 (@jbeaton1993) June 19, 2019
— Mark Iverson (@markyiverson) June 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/westlake678/status/1141333737499705344?s=20
https://twitter.com/westlake678/status/1141334518051364865?s=20
Ospreys happy to be in the Champions Cup:
Ospreys seeing their group: https://t.co/Lui9NAYCpG pic.twitter.com/Jg4UjFxin3
— Nathan Parker (@parkern1996) June 19, 2019
Brutal draw 😲 https://t.co/Uq5kV1QAfg
— chris morgan (@moggz13) June 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/Gus_H70/status/1141330087410831361?s=20
I’m happy with that! 3 huge home and away games to get all the ospreys region behind!
— Philtronics Limited (@PhiltronicsLtd) June 19, 2019
While there are certainly no easy pools in the Champions Cup these days, few would argue that this one (Pool Four) is not the group of death.
Then again, many fans are remaining upbeat with the rationale that you must beat the best in order to become the best.
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One thing is for certain, a European giant of the past few years will not make the quarter-finals next season.
WATCH: The new RugbyPass documentary, Going Pro, about the Saracens women’s team and their successful attempt to win back to back English titles
Comments on RugbyPass
What a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to comments