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Ospreys have no complaints following Dan Evans' first-minute red card

Ospreys' Dan Evans leaves the field after being shown a red card against Racing (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Ospreys offered no complaints after seeing full-back Dan Evans receive one of the quickest red cards in professional rugby union history.

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Evans was sent off by referee Frank Murphy after just 37 seconds at the Liberty Stadium when his boot made contact with Racing 92 wing Teddy Thomas’ head as he claimed a high ball.

Ospreys also saw Wales backs Scott Williams and Aled Davies sin-binned during an opening half when they were briefly reduced to 12 men as Racing claimed a 40-19 Heineken Champions Cup success.

Asked about the Evans incident, Ospreys forwards coach Carl Hogg said: “I think it was unintentional. But I think nowadays any contact to the head, the player is going to be in trouble. Clearly, when you get as many red and yellow cards, discipline is an issue.”

Ospreys skipper Dan Lydiate added: “It was never intentional, but (by) the letter of the law, player safety is paramount.”

(Continue reading below…)

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European title contenders Racing – beaten finalists in 2016 and 2018 – did not require a second invitation to capitalise as Thomas’ try double, a penalty try and touchdown for hooker Teddy Baubigny secured a bonus point before half-time.

Davies, wing Hanno Dirksen and prop Ma’afu Fia claimed tries for the battling Ospreys, with fly-half Marty McKenzie adding two conversions, as they held their opponents 12-12 after the break.

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Racing managed further scores for Yoan Tanga and captain Henry Chavancy, while Maxime Machenaud, who was sin-binned four minutes from time, kicked four conversions.

Hogg said: “It makes it very difficult when you lose a player in the first minute of the game, then concede a couple of yellow cards and play the majority of the first half against one of the best sides in Europe.

“Credit to the players. In the second half they regrouped and showed a huge amount of character and spirit to battle back, because it would have been very easy to fold.

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“It is disappointing that we didn’t really give ourselves an opportunity to stay in the contest, but there are elements of that game we can take away and apply going forward in the season.”

Wales centre Owen Watkin, meanwhile, limped off after just 17 minutes, which compounded Ospreys’ first-half problems. “Owen has got an issue with his knee,” Hogg added. “I haven’t had a full assessment. We will see where that sits Sunday or Monday.”

Racing’s win took them top of Pool Four by a point from Munster with three games left.

– Press Association 

WATCH: Finn Russell gives Jim Hamilton a kicking masterclass at Racing 92’s training ground in Paris

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J
JW 59 minutes ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

Sorta “rent a comment” kinda guy really.

Haha yep another great way to say it.


Look I actually agree with the guy, he might have heard something said and seeing as he loves to make a spotlight, and be in it, he decided/mistakenly came up with this headline grabber?


Despite what I already said was the actual idea for the topic he mistook, I think, at this particular moment, there are plenty of situations people should be sticking. I’m OK with the Dmac situation if its just until Stevenson and Etene start sharing the Fullback job. I’m OK with Barrett being left at 15 and Perofeta being given the job to displace Plummer (easy task for him imo) as the first five (with the ABs in mind). But pretty much all the others, like your suggestions, they are far off optimal understanding of their core positions so should be trying to specialize for a couple of years. Think Ioane and Proctor, one or the other, not trying to get both on. Barrett or ALB/Higgins/Lam, Sititi and Sotutu at 8, Finau/Haig/all the 6’s injured or gone etc.


From Razors perspective, of a coach on the limit of what can be achieved, he wants to a balance of core and niche. Having players able to cover situations when your down a man, through card or because he’s lying on the ground, you want your players to be adaptable. Does this mean he’d like them to learn that adaptable by playing other positions fully, like for a whole game in another position, or just as in terms of their skills sets. Because if you apply what I suggested Razor was referring to as “four” positions, wingers can be very useful in other roles like a carrying 12, or a pilferring 7, let alone benefit from a tight relationship and understand of what a 13 is trying to do for them.


This concept applies to pretty much every single position. Take your(my) Lock example, theyre now lifters, they can (size and shape allowing) ruck and maul like the front row, run like a back and offload like a basketballer. Many recent young locks of of this rangy razzle dazle variety.


Personally I really like and think that adding versatility is inevitable with the amount of training and really early highperformance skill/athleticism work they get through. Max Hicks looked interesting as a 2m beanpole playing openside in France, PSDT showing the frame is certainly viable (as apposed to the typical 6 playing lock), opensides really need a running/carry side to their play these days and could easily play in midfield. Halfbacks are starting to play standing up straight rather than low to the ground, how cool would it have been if the Hurricanes had decided to retain Preston by switching Roigard to 10 for this season? Like Leroy Carter they’re already good wingers with the right pace. I do really see the back three players staying were they are for the most part though, unless theyre special players like Dmac.

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