The Ospreys should edge London Irish encounter
The Ospreys will take on London Irish in the second round of the Heineken Cup this Friday at the Liberty Stadium.
The Ospreys may chose to start Ryan Jones over Jonathan Thomas. The Welsh captain has made three appearances from the bench this season and could start in the Heineken Cup.
Ospreys Coach, Jonathan Humphreys remained coy and said, "He is a very positive influence coming off the bench and we'll determine over the next couple of days whether he starts or runs the same role again for us."
London Irish have a number of players that received bumps and bruises, but a similar line up is expected to the one that beat Munster.
London Irish should just edge the forward battle. The pack has a strong scrum, but the Ospreys will hope that Alun Wyn Jones can win the battle in the lineout over the Exiles captain Bob Casey.
However, London Irish will have to repeat the same physicality as they did against Munster to win the battle in the tight five.
The Ospreys will look to their backs and try to play an expansive game. Their back three are all British and Irish Lions internationals and Tommy Bowe, Shane Williams and Lee Byrne give them a formidable attack.
With James Hook pulling the strings in midfield London Irish will not want the Ospreys back line to see much of the ball and they will rely on keeping the ball in the forwards and pushing up their defence.
Despite the Ospreys threat, London Irish will enter the game full of confidence after their fine start to the league. The Exiles have won five of their six games and top the table.
They will have taken further confidence from their opening day victory in the Heineken Cup at home to Munster. The Exiles ran out 23-17 winners, but Munster did manage to grab a bonus point from the encounter.
London Irish winger Topsy Ojo scored a crucial break away try to put the hosts well in front, but Munster fought back and a try by Sam Tuitupou earned the former Heineken Cup champions the bonus point.
Ryan Lambe will hope that he can display the same accuracy with his kicking as he did against Munster. The out half was immaculate with the boot and was crucial in London Irish winning the contest. He will have to play as well on Friday because the Ospreys’
talented backs love to counter-attack on loose kicking.
The Ospreys opened their Heineken Cup game with a 19-14 defeat to French side Toulon. The Welsh side looked to have won the match after Shane Williams scored a try in a rare moment of quality play.
However, the Welsh side let the lead slip and Paul Sackey scored a try to give Toulon the victory.
Some poor kicking and decision making by Dan Biggar did not help their cause. Biggar will be hoping for a standout performance after his poor showing in France.
With a home advantage and a clinical attack the Ospreys should have enough to defeat London Irish.
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