Review: Ospreys 21-13 Clermont Auvergne
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Review: Ospreys 21-13 Clermont Auvergne
Despite being 13-6 behind at half time, Ospreys persevered and claimed a massive victory in their Champions Cup qualification hopes.
Clermont started the better of the two teams and got on the board early after a Wesley Fofana try. Camille Lopez started off the move with a lovely show and go to break through the Ospreys defence, the out half offloaded to Fofana who showed great power to drive to line.
Dan Biggar got Ospreys first points of the game with a penalty and followed it up with another penalty 10 minutes later to make it 7-6 to Clermont after a comical incident involving Viktor Kolelishvili. The Georgian back row defending inside his own 22 shoved referee Wayne Barnes in a bizarre incident but was only warned for his actions.
Morgan Parra added 3 points straight off the restart as Eli Walker took oppisite number David Strettle out in the air but just 5 minutes later Kolelishvili couldn't stay out of trouble. The openside was sent to the bin for an off the ball scuffle with Alun Wyn Jones, despite the Ospreys captain pleading with Barnes not to. Ospreys failed to take advantage of the extra man, with Parra adding another penalty before half time to make the score at the break 6-13 to Clermont.
The second half started slow, with both teams lacking an attacking edge in the opening 15 minutes. At what seemed like a massive blow to Opsreys hopes of winning the game, Dan Biggar was forced off the field with a dead leg and 22 year old Sam Davies came on in his place.
It was a blessing in disguise though, as Davies dictated play and got Ospreys within one point after only 10 minutes on the field with a penalty and a drop goal 30 metres out.
Ospreys then started to pile on the pressure, with inspirational captain Alun Wyn Jones leading the way in attack with some powerful breaks but couldn't get over the line.
Ospreys lead for the first time in the game with 13 minutes to go as John Ulugia was sent to the bin for deliberate offside and Sam Davies slotted over the resulting penalty. Davies added another penalty 3 minutes later as Clermont lost their discipline late on to make the score 18-13.
Clermont looked for a comeback with Welshman Jonathan Davies going close, but monumental defence from the whole Ospreys side, in particular Sam Underhill, Justin Tipuric and captain Alun Wyn Jones, kept the French heavyweights out.
With 2 minutes to go Clermont's indiscipline cost them yet again as they handed Sam Davies a chance to put Ospreys 8 points clear after an infringement at the breakdown. Davies made no mistake as Ospreys claimed the win and denied Clermont a losing bonus point.
Ospreys now top Pool 2 and have qualification in their own hands, knowing that a win when they travel to Exeter Chiefs next week sends them through to the quarter finals of the competition.
MOTM. Alun Wyn Jones. Sam Davies was excellent coming on, scoring 15 points but the Ospreys talisman was superb tonight. Like a fine wine, Jones gets better with age and he really is playing some great rugby this season. Was a real leader in both attack and defence for his side.
Dan Hayes
