The Ospreys go into their Heineken Cup double-header against Viadana in better shape than they could have hoped. Despite being without 15 injured players, including four Lions, they overcame a strong Munster side. They now await the arrival of Ricky Januarie, a 40-cap Springbok, as cover at scrum-half.
The Welsh Rugby Union has given permission for the recruitment of Januarie on a three-month loan despite the Ospreys already having six non-Welsh players in their squad. Sean Holley, the Ospreys head coach, said: "His arrival is imminent – there was just some red tape to get throughon the South African side and we are hoping he will be available for the trip to Viadana."
Injuries to Mike Phillips, Jamie Nutbrown, Tom Isaacs and Shane Williams, the wing who started his career as a No9before graduating to the wing, have necessitated Januarie's recruitment. Ironically, Liam Davies, the region's fifth-choice scrum-half, won the man of the match award against Munsterfor his busy display on Saturday night.
The victory over the Magners League champions was especially notable because the Ospreys had not beaten the Irish province in four matches, leaking more than 100 points in their three meetings last season. They were given a helping hand when Munster's Ireland lock Paul O'Connell pulled out before the kick-off with a calf strain. The province's stand-in captain, Ronan O'Gara, missed all four of his penalty attempts.
choice back-line so it came as something of a surprise when they opened the scoring with a pack-inspired penalty try from a five-metre scrum.
But with O'Gara failing to fire and Munster being shown two yellow cards to their hosts' one, the Ospreys were allowed to score 19 unanswered points, including Tommy Bowe's try in the right corner, before Nick Williams scored to give the visitors a losing bonus point.And the bonus point was the only positive coach Tony McGahan could find in his side's display. But he seemed relatively unconcerned in a European context. "The result has no implications for us," he said. "We will welcome some players back into the squad and there will be no hangover for us." he said.
Ospreys Owen; Bowe, Parker, Bishop, Walker; Biggar, Davies; D Jones (James, ht), R Hibbard (Bennett, 72), Mitchell (Griffiths, 75), A W Jones (Lloyd, 80), Thomas, Collins (capt), Holah, Tiatia (B Lewis, 85).
Try Bowe Con Biggar Pens Biggar 3 Drop goal Biggar.
Sin-bin A W Jones, 29.
Munster Warwick; Howlett (Dowling, 67), De Villiers (Hurley, 80), Mafi, Earls; O'Gara (capt), O'Leary (Stringer, 74); Du Preez, Fogarty (Varley, 72), Hayes (Buckley, 64); O'Callaghan, Ryan (O'Driscoll, 58); Quinlan, Ronan, Coughlan (Williams, 79).
Tries Penalty, Williams. Cons O'Gara, 2.
Sin-bin Fogarty, 46; Coughlan, 66.
Referee N Paterson (Scotland). Attendance 8,077
