| Ospreys (10) 17 |
| Tries: Smith, Morris Cons: Walsh 2 Pen: Walsh |
| Leicester (6) 23 |
| Attempt: Potter, Watson Cons: Atkinson 2 Pens: Atkinson 3 |
Anthony Watson’s beautiful solo attempt clinched a dogged Leicester victory within the Heineken Champions Cup at Ospreys.
Nicky Smith’s attempt gave the star-studded hosts a half-time lead.
However the Ospreys shot themselves within the foot with an undisciplined show that allowed a second-string Tigers to say an important away win.
Harry Potter dived over and Watson sliced by means of to attain and put the sport past the Welsh area regardless of Morgan Morris’ late attempt.
The outcome means the two-year await a Welsh win in Europe’s prime tier competitors goes on.
It additionally justified Steve Borthwick’s gamble with choice as he and reverse quantity Toby Sales space took starkly contrasting approaches to this tie.
Sales space instantly took the possibility to recall 9 Wales internationals to a group that had managed only one win from 9 within the United Rugby Championship.
In the meantime Borthwick, who continues to be linked with the England job, rested a number of front-line gamers, together with Chris Ashton, Ben Youngs and Freddie Steward, amid eight modifications from the draw with Bristol.
The modifications meant a scrappy begin on the Swansea.com stadium, although for all their expertise, the hosts had been significantly responsible of maddening errors.
An erratic show, marred by knock-ons and unnecessary penalties, albeit from a whistle-happy referee, meant Ospreys had been by no means in management.
Leicester’s again row, together with the returning Olly Cracknell and captain Hanro Liebenberg, carried arduous in area however the guests needed to do little for a 6-3 lead by means of Charlie Atkinson.
Ospreys did dominate on the scrum with their all-Wales entrance row outclassing the younger Tigers trio.
It was the platform from which they took a 10-6 lead on the stroke of half-time.
Rhys Webb’s kick forward sparked a scramble behind the tryline because the bouncing ball evaded six gamers earlier than a Tigers’ hand conceded a scrum 5 metres out.
Smith turned the screw on Joe Heyes who was proven a yellow card for collapsing earlier than the Welshman was available to burrow over from shut vary for the sport’s opening attempt.
Walsh transformed whereas George North trudged off with a suspected fractured cheekbone after taking a heavy blow within the construct as much as the attempt.
As soon as Heyes returned, Leicester turned the tables with two tries within the house of eight minutes halfway by means of the second half.
Keelan Giles failed to collect Charlie Atkinson’s speculative cross-field kick and Potter picked up and dived over.
Watson then confirmed his class with a beautiful solo rating, splitting two defenders earlier than beating Max Nagy and warding off Joe Hawkins to attain underneath the posts.
Ospreys had been galvanised as Hawkins, Webb and Alex Cuthbert all made breaks however errors continued.
Morris lastly discovered a manner over from shut vary and Jack Walsh transformed to shut the hole to a few factors seven minutes from time.
But instantly from the restart, Ospreys gave up possession, Tigers dedication earned a penalty in entrance of the posts and Atkinson slotted a simple three factors.
It summed up the night time for each groups.
Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick mentioned:
“These younger gamers on the market had been phenomenal and the sprinkling of extra skilled gamers had been additionally wonderful. Anthony Watson did actually, rather well.
“There was about 650 caps of expertise within the Ospreys group, it was virtually the Wales check group, however these younger lads are hungry and excited by the problem.
“Our 9 and 10 managed the sport effectively however I used to be most happy with the combat we confirmed to work by means of a contact patch. You possibly can have the most effective tactic deliberate however you at all times must combat.”
On his future with Leicester amid the hyperlinks with the England job, he mentioned: “I am absolutely targeted on Clermont subsequent week. We had two nice battles with them final season and I am trying ahead to subsequent week.”
Ospreys head coach Toby Sales space mentioned:
“You spend a variety of effort to get into the primary competitors after which to not carry out towards a group that is going to dwell off the strain and turnover, it is disappointing as a result of we have proven higher than that.
“We received in positions to use strain and there have been too many unforced errors and penalties.
“Consequently, we have to go to Montpellier and play the French champions after the English champions, and get a win of their yard.”
Ospreys: Max Nagy; Alex Cuthbert, George North, Joe Hawkins, Keelan Giles; Jack Walsh, Rhys Webb; Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Tom Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric (capt), Morgan Morris.
Replacements: Sam Parry, Gareth Thomas, Tom Botha, Huw Sutton, Rhys Davies, Reuben Morgan Williams, Owen Williams, Michael Collins.
Leicester Tigers: Anthony Watson; Harry Potter, Man Porter, Dan Kelly, Harry Simmons; Charlie Atkinson, Jack van Poortvliet; James Whitcombe, Charlie Clare, Joe Heyes, Harry Wells, Ollie Chessum, George Martin, Hanro Liebenberg (capt), Olly Cracknell.
Replacements: Gabriel Oghre, Nephi Leatigaga, Will Hurd, Eli Snyman, Sean Jansen, Richard Wigglesworth, Jimmy Gopperth, Matt Scott.
Referee: Ludovic Cayre (France)
Assistant referees: Pierre-Baptiste Nuchy & Jonathan Gasnier (France)
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin (France)
