Match Thread - Connacht vs Ospreys 15/2/13

salmson wrote: That's an overly harsh assessment of our passing I'd say. Ospreys had twice as many handling errors as we did.

Penney has been a disappointment so far. He talks a great game but appears to be losing something in translation because in a lot of games the performance has been flat and are turned over far too often at the breakdown due to lack of numbers. He also appears to be a yes man for the irfu which is very worrying.

But that is only half the story really. Just because someone doesn't knock it on doesn't mean it is was a decent pass, and in general I felt that they moved the ball much quicker and crisper than us.

My predictions about the ref were about as accurate as my usual predictions!! Have to hold my hand up and say he had a half decent game on the whole, we have had a lot worse anyways.

Was really pleased to see Muldoon and Faloon back and impacting on the game but was delighted to see Griffin playing with real purpose and threat again in attack and put in some good hits in D as well. Thought Mick Kearney had a decent game too doing a lot of the dog work around the track. H-Wright is getting better with everygame.

For me far to many positives to put any type of a negative analysis on the team or individual performances.

more good news

Two Ospreys' players have been cited for foul play following the RaboDirect PRO12 match against Connacht at the Sportsground in Galway on Friday night.

Joe Bearman and Ross Jones have been cited for an alleged dangerous tackle contrary to Law 10.4(j), in the 27th minute.
Both players will be required to attend a hearing before an three man independent RaboDirect Pro12 disciplinary committee, the date and venue of which will be confirmed separately.

Law 10.4(j) states: "Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the groundwhilst that player's feet are still off the ground such that the player's head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground is dangerous play."

There will be no further comment on this matter from Ospreys Rugby.

I agree with most people saying tonetti and and faloon had great games, but for me i thought poolman was outstanding the last night

Sorry SP didn't spot that post my bad

Disciplinary Update - Joe Bearman and Ross Jones21

The results of the Joe Bearman and Ross Jones citings...

At a hearing in Scotland Wednesday, Joe Bearman and Ross Jones of Ospreys appeared before an independent RaboDirect PRO12 Disciplinary Committee comprised of Sheriff Kathrine Mackie (Scotland, chair), Pamela Woodman (Scotland) and Rob Flockhart (Scotland), both having been cited for an infringement of Law 10.4(j) (lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player's feet are still off the ground such that the player's head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground) in the match between Connacht and Ospreys on 15 February 2013.

In the case of Joe Bearman, the Disciplinary Committee found that the player had committed the act of foul play, and found that it merited a low end entry point. After applying aggravating and mitigating factors, the Disciplinary Committee imposed a sanction of four weeks. Based on the playing schedule of the player, and pursuant to clauses 7.6.36 and 7.6.42 of the RaboDirect PRO12 Disciplinary Rules, the Disciplinary Committee determined that the period of suspension should run until 24 March 2013. The player will be free to play from 25 March 2013 and has a right of appeal.

In the case of Ross Jones, the Disciplinary Committee found that the player had committed the act of foul play, and found that it merited a low end entry point. After applying aggravating and mitigating factors, the Disciplinary Committee imposed a sanction of three weeks, to run until 10 March 2013. The player will be free to play from 11 March 2013 and has a right of appeal.

NOTE:
Clause 7.6.36 of the RaboDirect PRO12 Disciplinary Rules reads (in relevant part): 'the IRB sanctions for Foul Play ... are drafted on the basis that a one-week period of suspension would ordinarily result in a player missing one match.'
Clause 7.6.42 of the RaboDirect PRO12 Disciplinary Rules reads (in relevant part): 'in determining the length of any period of suspension, the Disciplinary Committee shall take into consideration all playing consequences of such a suspension and exclude ... any periods in which the Player is not fit, available and expected to play ....'

Not defending the decision at all but warburton only got 3 weeks for his spear tackle in the world cup. The whole suspension system needs to be reassessed and especially this business of mitigating circumstances being applied after the ban (ie deciding to give a player 6 weeks then bringing it down afterwards for apologising).

What annoys me is the inconsistency of it. The English U20 lad got 7 weeks and two people together driving a person in the ground get less? That doesn't make any sense to me.

healy got 3week when he could of broken a leg. these guys got nearly the game same for nearly breaking a neck.
parisse got 40 days for saying something to the ref.
as you say exile, young english lad got 7 weeks

The problem is the finding that it was 'low end', which means the number of weeks will always be lower. The tackle in the U20 game was deemed mid-range.

Faloon was able to get back up and didn't seem worse for wear. It probably looked a lot worse than it was, but in all honesty that shouldn't matter, a double-team tip tackle is even more dangerous than a single one and the finding that it's low end is laughable.