#003 Ospreys v Leinster - Official Matchday Programme by ospreysrugby

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IN TODAY’S ISSUE TOBY BOOTH’S WELCOME

PRO14 WELCOME

CLUB SHOP

OSC

Q&A: SCOTT WILLIAMS

YOUR COMMENTS

PLAYER FEATURE: ALUN WYN JONES

LEINSTER

OZZIE’S ARMY

OSPREYS IN THE COMMUNITY

TEAM LINEUP

20/21 FIXTURES

OZZIE’S ARMY: QUIZ ANSWER

toby booth’s welcome We welcome Leinster to the Liberty Stadium, this afternoon, and I have no qualms about saying that playing the best will be a real challenge and a test for us, but it will also be a good gauge of where we are. It’s another chance to see how far we have come and how far we have to go. Leinster are the benchmark in the Guinness PRO14 and, of course, have been the same in Europe for a while now, but we are excited by the challenge facing us. This new era at the Ospreys is a journey, and we know it’s not a straightforward one, on and off the pitch. I hope seeing young players getting opportunities encourages us all and although not perfect, they are giving a good account of themselves and bring bags of energy to the team. We are certainly making progress culturally and physically as witnessed in our desire to dig in and our refusal to lie down to the bitter end. That level of effort and character is what we all want to see in the jersey representing our people. All of the games we have played so far have been close affairs and the character we have shown in all of them has been there for everyone to see. The challenge for us is to deliver a level of consistency in our performances and this will help us to turn narrow losses into wins. There were some bruised egos and pride in the dressing room after the manner of the defeat to Zebre out in Parma, but we haven’t dwelt on that, it’s ancient history and we need to keep moving forward, keep adding to and improving the fundamentals of our game. Some of our younger players gained invaluable game time out in Italy and there are no regrets around the decision to play them at

all. It’s all part of the learning process for younger players and I have made no secret of my intention to blood young Ospreys. The challenge for all young players is to deliver a consistency of performance through a run of games. We have some exciting young talent at the Ospreys and we need to show faith in them and allow them to learn their trade and allow their self-belief to grow. Nobody said this was going to be easy or that there were quick fixes but the attitude and appetite of the group to learn and to improve has been first class throughout. The transfer of what we are doing on the training pitch into game situations is always a challenge, when you are building new systems and introducing new principles, but the more we play, the more those ideas are embedded. We have a lot of work to do, there is no question about that, but the work ethic, the effort and the commitment to the cause are all there to see. The team thanks you for your continued support.

Toby Booth, Head Coach.

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each other it’s hard to know how people are feeling away from the screens. When you see someone in the flesh you can read body language, mood and humour – that’s difficult to do over a video call or in a WhatsApp message. I was inspired to get my introduction to counselling qualifications from the experiences I had with former teammates. Guys would be retiring and they’d say how much they were looking forward to it - when you knew they weren’t. Or injuries would be occurring that could affect players careers but instead of speaking they’d brush it off. As a friend you knew that these guys weren’t expressing how they really felt. You could tell it was a mask, but at the time I didn’t understand how to support breaking this barrier down. We all know the clichés around rugby and the macho image that is portrayed. We are trained to be impervious on the pitch and that expectation subconsciously transfers off the pitch, too. ‘Be bulletproof, don’t show weakness’. Thankfully, that image is changing and now the most important action we can take when we recognise that someone is feeling down or struggling is to create a safe space to talk. We need to move on from the ‘It’s okay to not be okay’ conversation to pro-actively creating environments and spaces where we can express ourselves or share the weight of anything that’s troubling us. In rugby, we’re learning to put the person before the player and I believe that should be a learning for any profession. Our sport exposes us to the learning of so many core values around team work and supporting each other, it’s vital that we ensure players leave rugby with skillsets not only to look after themselves, but to help support and educate others about addressing mental health as a positive action. Each player leaves the professional arena at a different stage. You might not get out of an academy, you may retire early, you may not become an international player or the next superstar, but we need to send these guys back to their communities with the information to ensure they can support themselves and those around them, not just to play rugby but to cope with the strains sport and life can place on our mental health. I was really impressed with Ashton Hewitt’s message about everyone educating themselves on how to combat racism so they can share their learnings with less understanding people. I read how Kelly Brown overcame his stammering problem to be captain of his country. Their messages show how just learning about an issue can make a difference. Their experiences also show how rugby is not just a game for all shapes and sizes, but for all walks of life no matter what challenges you face. With the right knowledge we can make life easier for ourselves and those we care about. Don’t be afraid to talk about your mental health and don’t be afraid to help someone who is struggling either. Sometimes, all it takes is a safe space, a cup of coffee and a chat. If we carry on this conversation, the stigma can’t last much longer. - Lloyd Ashley

Think about this. One in four people suffer from mental illness. That’s not a bad day or a rough patch, that’s a real condition that needs to be treated and requires backing from friends, family and specialist support. Although many of them will not suffer from an illness, almost everyone experiences challenges with their mental health at some point. So what if you knew not only how to look after yourself, but how to recognise the signs when someone you care about is struggling or having a hard time? Those are some pretty good life skills that can make a difference and prevent someone from having some serious struggles. Promoting good mental health is important to me. I’m the Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead for the Welsh Rugby Players Association where we’ve started a Resilience for Rugby programme. I’ve also started my own business which you can check out on Instagram called @LivingWellwithLloydAshley. It launched in March and during the pandemic its purpose became even more meaningful. Uncertainty has the potential to be a killer when it comes to individuals mental health and eight months ago none of us knew what was coming or what to expect. The unknown creates anxiety for everyone. As rugby players, we suddenly had our routines taken away. Our safe space of the training ground that we rely on for social interaction and friendship also removed from our day-to-day lives. Clearly, everyone else was dealing with their own situations – people were worried about getting sick, their jobs and possibly losing loved ones. Speaking from a rugby perspective, early new year up to March can bring quite a lot of anxiety when guys are looking to renew contracts, especially when you hear about other players being signed up to the club. Often, stories appear in the media about players’ futures that are not true or are based on rumours. It’s safe to say that Covid-19 made that even worse, and players were left to worry what they would do when their contracts expired in just three months’ time. These are some very obvious serious concerns around the pandemic, but you can’t dismiss the small things either. As rugby players we are used to having breakfast with 50 or 60 people each day and overnight it changed into just myself and my wife or I could be on my own. That’s a small part of the day, but a major change in daily interactions and support networks for any individual. One of the keys to coping from a mental health perspective was keeping everyone in contact and getting the right information out. I have to give so much credit to the WRPA, the Ospreys and the Welsh Rugby Union for looking after us. My wife was pregnant with twins and there were many others with partners who were expecting. They gave us great information throughout lockdown and when we returned to training so we could make the right decisions for our families. Technology helped us a lot, too. I don’t think there is anyone who didn’t do a Zoom quiz at some point! Fair play to Tim Jones at the WRPA for creating a sense of community among the players. At Ospreys, our S&C coach Simon Church would put on extra sessions via Zoom, which also created another sense of togetherness. But when you’re not around

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Croeso cynnes iawn i bawb! Hoffai Clwb Cefnogwyr y Gweilch estyn croeso cynnes iawn i chwaraewyr, swyddogion a chefnogwyr Leinster heddiw! Mwynhewch y gêm. The Ospreys Supporters Club would like to extend a warm welcome to the Leinster players, officials and supporters today! Enjoy the match!

Ar ôl canlyniad siomedig iawn yn yr Eidal, rydyn ni’n ôl yn y Liberty heddiw ac yn wynenebu tîm sydd yn chwarae’n arbennig o dda ar y foment! Gerth cofio, wrth gwrs, ta tîm ifanc oedd yn chwarae y noson honno, gyda nifer chwaraewyr yn dathlu eu dechreuad cynta i’r Gweilch! Wedi ddweud hynny, dwi’n siwr bydd y bois yn wneud eu gorau glâs ar y cae heddiw! After a disappointing result in Italy, we find ourselves back at the Liberty and facing a team that is playing exceptionally well at the moment! Worth remembering though, that this was a young team, with a number of players celebrating their first start for the Ospreys, that night!That said, I am sure that the boys will give it their all on the field that night! #OSC10 #OurBloodIsBlack

SEREN Y DYFODOL

FUTURE STAR

Pleser yw cyflwyno ein seren heddiw, sy’n dod o Abercrâf ac yn chwarae i’w dîm lleol! Dyma Idris Jones! Pob lwyddiant yn y dyfodol Idris! Today we are delighted to feature future Osprey Idris Jones. I will hand over to Idris’ ever so proud father Tony, for a quick bio! “This is Idris he is and 8 year old from the upper Swansea Valley. He has played rugby since he was four for Abercrave RFC. At the end of last season he was the U8s most improved player, he wants to go on and play for the Ospreys when old enough! He enjoys going to games and has been part of the guard of honour, 3 times at the Liberty stadium and once at the Gnoll. Idris has also featured in the half-time tag matches. When not playing rugby or at school , Idris loves to swim. He completed all 8 waves of his swimming accreditation while he was 7. He is now training as a rookie life guard. Idris also enjoys gymnastics and attends an adventure club learning outdoor skills. If you would like to feature in this section, please send a short bio and images, to keitho@ospreyssupportersclub.com

ALL BLACK AND OSPREYS GREAT

JERRY COLLINS It would have been this great man’s 40th birthday, last Wednesday. Wherever he is, there’s sure to be a hell of a party going on. RIP, big man. Forever in our thoughts.

ALUN WYN JONES Congratulations to a man who is an Osprey to the core! I am confident that I speak for all our supporters and beyond, when I say, we are extremely proud of you for setting a new world record for the number of international caps received! Llongyfarchiadau AWJ ar dy record newydd! Does dim cwestiwn fod ti’n Gwalch i’r carn! If you would like to leave a message of congratulations to Alun Wyn, please head over to our web page and sign our virtual book of recognition! Cyfle i chi gadael negus i AWJ ar ein safle wê. www.ospreyssupportersclub.com

! S Y E R P S O E ON

` H C W E D Y N E A L M ! H C L I E GW ! E M A G E H T Y O J N E H C W E H N Y MW ! O N E H M Ã&#x160; G Y COM

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KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US

You can always keep in touch with us by following our social media accounts and website, all listed below; www.ospreyssupportersclub.com Twitter : @OspreysSC Facebook : Ospreys Supporters Club Hope to hear from you soon! Keith Collins. Ysg. CCG. / OSC Sec.

Q & A:

SCOTT WILLIAMS 1) SINCE TOBY BOOTH’S ARRIVAL AS HEAD COACH THERE SEEMS TO BE A REAL CHANGE AND SHIFT IN ATTITUDE AND EXPECTATION, WITH YOUNG AND EXPERIENCED PLAYERS ALL PUSHING EACH OTHER IN TRAINING AT ST HELEN’S It shows where we are as a squad. After last season, which was a tough time, we are seeing the rewards of a lot of younger boys having game-time last season. They have come through really well and that can only be a good thing for the Ospreys and looking at the squad and when we lose players to the national side we still have a very strong team when they are away. The challenge now is to try and get in the team. I am looking forward to that and it’s only a good thing for the team and myself. 2) YOU ARE ONE OF THE SENIOR PLAYERS AT THE OSPREYS AND MOST EXPERIENCED CENTRE IN THE SQUAD, HOW TOUGH IS THE COMPETITION FOR PLACES AT THE MOMENT WITH OWEN WATKIN AND KEIRAN WILLIAMS? Both are very good players. I have played more with Owen and was supposed to play with Keiran a couple of times but he picked up an injury and then I got injured. I haven’t played alongside him much but he is a strong ball carrier and you know what he can do and I could see it in training last year. He picked up a bit of groin problem last year which stopped him playing more and that was unfortunate for him

Scott Williams, Outside Centre

because he was playing really well. Keiran is a physical player and very skillful as well. He is a tough cookie, from Neath Way. He is very physical, you can see it in the way he plays and he wants contact and he is very hard to defend against and very hard to attack against too.

3) THE PROBLEMS YOU HAD REGARDING YOUR BACK INJURY HAVE BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AND THE REASON WHY YOU TOOK THAT DECISION WAS TO PLAY AT THE RUGBY WORLD CUP IN JAPAN, ANY REGRETS? It was tough, but you do whatever you can to play for your country. It felt like the right thing to do and I would do the same all over again. It feels good now and will probably never be 100 percent, but I am pain-free and I feel I could do things like I could before. Most rugby players are going to be a bit battered when they retire. Having a bulging disc at 29 is probably not the best but it’s what we do and what we accept that you have injuries in the game. We play a very intense, high-contact game but it’s what we love to do. It is what it is. I don’t regret anything I have done or any decisions I have made.

4) HOW BAD WAS THE INJURY AND HOW ARE YOU NOW? It happened overnight. I picked up the injury in a game. I thought I just had a bad back so I played 70 minutes the next week with a bulging disk. It was only a couple of months after that I was sitting on the sofa one day, got up and just lost feeling in my foot, which was scary. I had a bulging disk in my back and pretty bad sciatica. I lost all feeling in my leg and movement in my foot. It was a pretty scary time and it took time for it to come back. I lost all the strength in my leg. It didn’t really cross my mind that I’d have to retire. It was scary though. It’s just day-to-day things you can’t do. I couldn’t sit down for five minutes. I couldn’t stand up for five minutes. It’s hard to deal with every day. Not being able to bend over or pick my boy up, it was dark times. But I’m through them now.

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Your comments

The last time we played at the Liberty, we came from behind to defeat Glasgow Warriors 23-15. Here were some of your reaction on the night!

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PLAYER FEATURE:

Alun Wyn Jones Alun Wyn Jones became the most capped international rugby player last weekend after he made his 149th Test appearance to surpass former All Black captain Richie McCaw. The former Ospreys captain and Wales skipper’s incredible personal achievement followed on from being awarded the OBE by Her Majesty The Queen in October. We sat down with Ospreys teammate Dan Lydiate, who has known him for most of his playing career with Wales and the British and Irish Lions, and Toby Booth, the new Head coach at the Ospreys, who has only just started working with the second row. Both men give their insights into the man who is not just an Ospreys, Wales and Lions legend, but who has cemented his name into rugby history as the most capped Test player of them all. Dan Lydiate, Ospreys, Wales and British and Irish Lions teammate, said: “He is not one for patting himself on the back and he is there to do a job and that is what Alun Wyn does best and why he has been at the top of his game for two decades now. It’s a huge achievement for himself and his family, and I am chuffed for him. They broke the mould when they made Alun Wyn Jones and there won’t be another like him.

Alun Wyn Jones

Many will try to emulate him but what makes that man tick? He’s like an onion, there are lots of layers to Alun Wyn that you have to peel back, but once you do know him. He is pretty special. He puts his body on the line week-in, week-out, and it’s just not when he plays the game but he trains how he plays. He will be the first in the kick chase and to every drill and that is how he does it. I don’t know how he does it, but he does it and that’s how Alun Wyn does it. He only knows one way and that is flat out, but there is a softer side to him that not many people get to see. He is a big family man, but when he is in work and crosses the whitewash for training, he is head on and that is what has made him who he is. He plays hard, but he does enjoy himself too. I think it’s harder for him to do that than most people. If he wants to go out for a quiet meal with his wife and family, he is one of the most recognisable people in Wales, as captain. So that side of it all is probably hard for him. My favourite memory of Alun Wyn is after the 2013 Lions tour, when the whistle went against Australia, we had won the game, and he was the first person next to me and we had a big hug. It was very similar to what Jonathan Davies said to him when Wales won the Grand Slam in 2019.” Toby Booth, the new Ospreys Head coach, said: “The thing that stands out, above all else, is the iconic leadership and leading by example. That was the impression I had of him before I met him and even those early conversations over Zoom that was cemented even further. You can see how much he cares about this organisation, the area and his people, and that manifests itself when you see him pull on the red jersey.

He does exactly what it says on the tin. So from that point of view he epitomises all of those things, but there is also a playful and softer side when you work with him on a daily basis that is very engaging and endearing. If you put all those things together, and what he does outside of rugby and the way he conducts himself, and you do all of them consistently, over such a long period of time, you get recognised by the Queen. And that should be recognised; you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get an OBE by accident. He has had a sequence of accolades, in the short time I have been here, and he is a very impressive person and individual, on and off the field. To have the durability in the position he plays and to deliver performances, week-in and week-out, year-in and year-out, in his position tells you something about him and how he looks after himself. He is as impressive off the field as he is on it, and it is an unbelievable achievement, but in the short time I have know him, I have to say I am not surprised he has achieved what he has.â&#x20AC;?

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Leinster HEAD COACH: LEO CULLEN GROUNDS: RDS ARENA / AVIVA STADIUM FOUNDED: 1879 CAPTAIN: JONATHAN SEXTON TOP TRY SCORER: SHANE HORGAN (69) FORM GUIDE V OSPREYS: W L W W W

LAST TIME OUT

Ospreys 13-21 Leinster

When these two sides last met, it was on a cold night in February at the Gnoll in Neath. Leinster’s Tommy O’Brien opened the scoring just ahead of the twentyminute mark, with Ciaran Frawley converting to give the visitors a seven-point lead. Ospreys struck back just before half time with a 39th minute penalty goal from outside half Luke Price. However, with the clock already showing red, Leinster spotted an overlap and opted to try and get a second before heading in for the half-time interval. Unfortunately for the boys in blue, a dropped pass by Jimmy O’Brien gave Ospreys speedster Luke Morgan half an opportunity, which he snapped up. The winger still had work to do, but a powerful fend on opposition winger Cian Kelleher saw the former sevens specialist burst through and there was no stopping him as he raced under the posts for a try. Price converted and the hosts enjoyed a narrow lead at the break.

Leinster back row, Josh Murphy, claimed a try for his team eight minutes into the second half, driving over from short range and bringing his side back into the lead. Price added another three points to his tally, keeping the Ospreys just a point behind the visitors. A third and final try by Kelleher in the final ten minutes of the game, compounded by a yellow card to Ospreys hooker Sam Parry ended any hope of a comeback for the hosts. A brave performance from the Ospreys against a side that eventually went on to win the championship later that year.

THREE TO WATCH

Rhys Ruddock Ruddock joined Leinster as a 20-year-old and has since earned 177 appearances in his decade playing for the Dublin based team. The back row forward’s immense work rate and relentless ball carrying has also earned him 26 Irish international caps. At 6ft 3in and 17st 9lbs, Ruddock carries with him a notable presence in the back row and is deceptively mobile around the park. Capable of playing on the blindside and at number eight, the Dublin born 30-year-old is an established and respected leader in the team and will be found in the thick of things on Sunday evening. Tommy O’Brien Just 22-years-old, O’Brien is showing all the hallmarks of a future international. Capable of playing on the wing and in the centre, O’Brien has an eye for an angle and is lively on the attack. 6ft and just shy of 15 stone, the tenacious Irishman has plenty of strength to back up his aggressive playing style.

Harry Byrne Byrne is an intelligent and calculating pivot, able to pull the strings with aplomb and keep his head under pressure. With a cultured right boot, the outside half is just as comfortable in a playmaker role as he is running the ball to the line.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Scott Penny Young openside Scott Penny made his Leinster debut in November 2018 against the Ospreys. A dynamic back row option, Penny has been learning his trade under fellow Leinster man and Irish international Dan Leavy, who recently returned from a long-term injury. Dan Lydiate A proven star of the game, Lydiate is a Welsh and British and Irish Lion with a reputation for being a tenacious tackler and an absolute nuisance for the opposition at the breakdown. The stand-in Ospreys captain has shown his versatility over the past few months, having slotted into the second-row position and across all three back row positions when called upon to do so. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be youth vs experience in this back-row battle, and a prospect both flankers will relish as they vie to dominate the breakdown.

DAN LYDIATE

SCOTT PENNY

AGE

Salford

PLACE OF BIRTH

Dublin

6ft 4in

HEIGHT

6ft 0in

18st 2lbs

WEIGHT

16st 0lbs

LEAGUE APPEARANCES

LEAGUE POINTS

INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCES

INTERNATIONAL POINTS

LEINSTER IN NUMBERS 1

167

Position in Conference A

Points Scored (1st)

Offloads (1st)

1992

Defenders Beaten (1st)

Tries Scored (1st)

571

Clean Breaks (2nd)

Tackles Made (5th)

88%

Turnovers Lost (4th)

Metres Gained (1st)

Turnovers Won (5th)

Tackle Success (7th)

5/0

Total Tackles Missed (5th)

2346

Penalties Scored/ Missed (7th)

Kick Metres (9th)

Kick From Hand (9th)

Yellow Cards (9th)

Tries from Kicks (6th)

Red Cards (1st)

19/1

Penalties Conceded (6th)

Scrums Won/ Lost (7th)

LEINSTER TEAM LINEUP

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Ozzie’s Army

The last time the Ospreys ran out at the Liberty, they came from behind to defeat a stubborn Glasgow Warriors side. This week, they will be challenging themselves against one of Europe’s top sides: Leinster. There will be plenty of pride to play for following Monday night’s disappointing trip to play Zebre, leaving Parma with only a losing bonus point after being denied the win at the death. Leinster tops the table in Conference A and are undefeated thus far. The boys in blue look on course to forge a path to the knockout stages once more this season. It’ll be a tough encounter in Swansea on Sunday, but there’s no doubt the Ospreys will be eager to charge in once more. Y tro diwethaf buodd y Gweilch yn y Liberty, daethon nhw o thu ôl i gipio’r fuddugoliaeth gan Rhyfelwyr Glasgow. Wythnos yma, bydden nhw’n herio’u hunain yn erbyn un o dîmau gorau Ewrop: Leinster. Bydd digon o falchder yn y fantol yn dilyn taith siomedig y Gweilch i wynebu Zebre nos Lun, gan adael Parma gyda un pwynt bonws yn unig. Mae Leinster ar frig y tabl ac heb golli gêm hyd yma. Mae’r dynion o Leinster yn edrych yn beryglus ac yn amlwg yn anelu i gyrraedd y rowndiau cyn-derfynol yn barod y tymor yma. Bydd hi’n her galed yn Abertawe nos Sul, ond does dim amheuaeth bydd y Gweilch yn ysu i ddychwelyd i’r gad. Where is the ball? | Ble mae’r bêl? Find the answer on the last page.

Ospreys in the Community OITC LINK UP WITH LOCAL MPS FOR CHRISTMAS HAMPER CAMPAIGN Ospreys in the Community has teamed up with Carolyn Harris MP, Julie James MS and Swansea City AFC Community Trust, to help deliver the Everyone Deserves a Christmas Hamper campaign. Now in its fourth year, the annual campaign aims to provide festive cheer to those who require an extra helping hand in the local community. Last year, the team helped deliver Christmas hampers throughout the community to support families during the festive season after the appeal raised ÂŁ6,000. Once again, in addition to local politicians, the Community Trust is working with several other partners including the South Wales Evening Post, Mecca Bingo, Swansea Council and many banks and local businesses. The aim is to create food hampers with a value of ÂŁ50 each.

The campaign is already well on course to better that total in 2020 and reach its target of £10,000, having amassed just over £2,000 so far. If you also want to play a part in this campaign, then you can either donate chocolates at local banks, or contribute to our JustGiving page. Tom Sloane, Community Foundation Manager, said: “When we got involved with the project last year it was great to see everyone coming together to help those less fortunate in our community. Christmas can be a difficult time for some and even more so this year with the added pressures that 2020 has brought.” “We want to help spread the festive cheer and reduce the stress and worries by giving our support to this campaign. If anything positive can come out of the Coronavirus pandemic, it’s the sense of community that shone through all the doom and gloom. Christmas should be a time of joy and by working together we can ensure that everyone is able to enjoy the Christmas they deserve.”

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