Guinness PRO14 Preview: Connacht v Ospreys

With Munster losing last night, Connacht have an opportunity to close the gap on the Conference B leaders when they host the Ospreys in today’s rearranged Guinness PRO14 fixture in Galway.

GUINNESS PRO14: Sunday, January 24

CONNACHT (3rd, Con B) v OSPREYS (3rd, Con A), the Sportsground, 3pm (live TG4/Premier Sports 2/SuperSport Rugby/www.pro14.tv)

Team News: A number of key players make a welcome return to the Connacht squad for this afternoon’s rescheduled Guinness PRO14 clash with the Ospreys.

In all there are seven changes to the side that narrowly lost to Munster last time out, with head coach Andy Friend able to recall captain Jarrad Butler and some other experienced players.

Butler rejoins Conor Oliver and Paul Boyle in the back row, in-form duo Ultan Dillane and Quinn Roux continue together at lock, and hooker Dave Heffernan returns to the front row, in between Denis Buckley and Finlay Bealham.

There is a freshened-up half-back partnership with Ireland international Kieran Marmion combining with Conor Fitzgerald, while centre Peter Robb has been handed his first start of the season after recovering from a long-term groin issue.

Australian flyer John Porch continues at full-back with Alex Wootton and Peter Sullivan on the wings. The bench includes Bundee Aki, who has recovered from a knee injury, and Abraham Papali’i who is back from suspension.

Looking forward to the home encounter with the Welsh side, Friend commented: “It says a lot about the depth we have built here in Connacht that we can make seven changes from an interpro and still field a really strong side.

“A number of players are getting their first starts in a month so will be eager to impress, and with the likes of Bundee and Abraham on the bench we’ll have some physicality to call on when needed.

“I’ve spoken this week about the importance of bringing the same energy for every game, regardless of whether it’s an interpro fixture or not. We’ll put that to the test tomorrow, and after a few disappointing results at home we’re really keen to get back to winning ways here.”

Meanwhile, forwards Dan Lydiate and Rhodri Jones, who have both earned recalls to the Wales Six Nations squad, are part of the Ospreys team to face Connacht.

Four of head coach Toby Booth’s five changes to the side that won 28-20 at the Dragons are up front, with Jones and Sam Parry added to the front row and fellow internationals Lydiate and Justin Tipuric, the team captain, both selected to start in the back row.

Dan Evans slots back in at full-back, meaning a move to the left wing for the speedy Mat Protheroe, who was the try-scoring player-of-the-match from the Dragons game.

Stephen Myler, the former Northampton Saints and London Irish out-half, and Rhys Webb, who missed out on Six Nations selection, lead a potent Ospreys back-line that includes George North, Wales’ second top try scorer of all-time.

CONNACHT: John Porch; Peter Sullivan, Tom Daly, Peter Robb, Alex Wootton; Conor Fitzgerald, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Quinn Roux, Jarrad Butler (capt), Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle.

Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Matthew Burke, Conor Kenny, Gavin Thornbury, Abraham Papali’i, Caolin Blade, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy.

OSPREYS: Dan Evans; George North, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Mat Protheroe; Stephen Myler, Rhys Webb; Rhodri Jones, Sam Parry, Ma’afu Fia, Adam Beard, Rhys Davies, Will Griffiths, Justin Tipuric (capt), Dan Lydiate.

Replacements: Ifan Phillips, Gareth Thomas, Tom Botha, Lloyd Ashley, Morgan Morris, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Josh Thomas, Keelan Giles.

Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Chris Busby, Rob O’Sullivan (both Ireland)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)

Pre-Match Quotes: Ultan Dillane (Connacht) –

I’m trying to keep my head with Connacht (rather than Ireland selection) and I think the way it is is if you play well enough then you’ll get your merit after that.

“You can’t be thinking too far ahead, because that’s what will really wreck you if things don’t go well. I am kinda more focused on what’s in front of me right now and that’s the Ospreys this weekend.

“We’ve had numerous different captains this year and everyone has learned a little bit from that. Everyone has had a similar message like that it’s just being moment focused.

“There are so many leaders in this squad and I feel we don’t panic over anything anymore, because of how weird the year has been and it is kinda refreshing as well.”

Toby Booth (Ospreys) –

I have not been out to Connacht for a few years but have had experience of being there in the European competitions. I’ve seen kick-offs go behind the kicker, seen conversions go through the posts and then back through it, so we know we have to be adaptable with and without the wind. 

“We know we need flexibility in what we do, and we will see what the conditions are, and the early reports are that it may be more favourable than a normal January.

“We know we need to be adaptable and resilient as a team because Galway on a potentially difficult Sunday afternoon will challenge us for sure.”

Top Scorers – 2020/21 Guinness PRO14: Connacht – Points: Jack Carty 66; Tries: Alex Wootton 6; Ospreys – Points: Stephen Myler 76; Tries: Mat Protheroe 3

2020/21 TEAM FORM: Connacht – Played 9, Won 5, Lost 4, 26 Points; W 28-24 v Glasgow Warriors (home), L 29-7 v Cardiff Blues (away), W 37-26 v Edinburgh (away), L 20-14 v Scarlets (home), W 47-12 v Zebre (away), W 31-14 v Benetton Rugby (home), L 32-19 v Ulster (home), W 35-24 v Leinster (away), L 16-10 v Munster (home)

Ospreys – Played 10, Won 5, Lost 5, 22 Points; W 25-10 v Edinburgh (away), L 24-12 v Ulster (home), W 23-15 v Glasgow Warriors (home), L 23-17 v Zebre (away), L 26-7 v Leinster (home), L 38-22 v Munster (away), W 24-22 v Benetton Rugby (home), L 16-14 v Scarlets (home), W 17-3 v Cardiff Blues (away), W 28-20 v Dragons (away)

RECENT CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS:

Saturday, January 7, 2017 – Ospreys 29 Connacht 7, Liberty Stadium
Friday, February 9, 2018 – Connacht 26 Ospreys 15, the Sportsground
Friday, April 6, 2018 – Ospreys 39 Connacht 10, Liberty Stadium
Friday, October 26, 2018 – Ospreys 22 Connacht 17, Morganstone Brewery Field
Saturday, March 2, 2019 – Connacht 46 Ospreys 5, the Sportsground
Saturday, November 2, 2019 – Ospreys 10 Connacht 20, Liberty Stadium

MATCH FACTS:

– Connacht’s last three matches in the Guinness PRO14 have all strangely been won by the away side on the day

– Connacht have lost their last three matches at the Sportsground in all competitions since beating Benetton Rugby there on December 4

– The Ospreys have lost just once in any tournament since mid-November: 16-14 against the Scarlets in Llanelli on December 26

– The Ospreys’ only victory in their last 13 matches against Irish provinces in the PRO14 was 26-24 at home to Ulster in February 2020

– The Ospreys’ most recent triumph away to an Irish province was over Connacht at the Sportsground in September 2016

– Connacht have won their last two clashes with the Ospreys and have only once before won three in succession against the Welshmen, between 2003 and 2004