Mark Jones’ Ospreys Revival Rolls On Into European Knockout Stages

Ospreys head coach, Mark Jones. Pic: Dai Sport

Mark Jones’ Ospreys Revival Rolls On Into European Knockout Stages

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By David Williams

Ospreys head coach Mark Jones paid tribute to his team as they continued their revival under his guidance.

The Swansea region impressed as two tries from Jack Walsh helped them become the third team in Pool 2 to clinch a ticket into the EPCR Challenge Cup knockout stages for the second season in a row, as they beat Newcastle Falcons 35-15 at the Swansea.com Stadium.

There were five tries in all for Jones’ men as they picked up a vital bonus point to reach 10 points and join Montpellier and Pau as qualifiers for the Round of 16.

They travel to Pau, who beat the Dragons at Rodney Parade in Round 3, to complete the pool stages this weekend.

“We knew it was a very important game for our aspirations, particularly with it being a home game,” said Jones, who has improved his team’s form since taking over from Toby Booth.

“The selection of the team showed that we wanted to make sure there were no slip ups.

“This competition is tough. I thought Newcastle played well, they put us under pressure but in the end it was our quality that got us over the line.”

Newcastle consultant director of rugby Steve Diamond said: “The Ospreys were about 15 or 20 points better than us on the night and I can’t argue with that but I am pleased with the endeavour we showed.

“Ospreys knew they had a game on their hands when they might have thought we had sent cannon fodder but we proved that was not the case.

“We had five players making their debuts and they all did well. It is helping me make decisions on retention for next year. I asked players to put their hands up and quite a lot of them did.”

As well as the double from Walsh there were also tries from Sam Parry, Dan Kasende and Kieran Hardy.

Outside half Dan Edwards was once again named as the player of the match and he converted all five tries.

Heading into the match, the Ospreys were fifth in Pool 2 with only the winless Falcons below them. The visitors struck first with Louis Brown latching onto Kieran Wilkinson’s chip over the top to score after only six minutes.

Yet by the break the Ospreys were in command at 21-10 thanks to the first of Walsh’s brace, a trademark driving maul try from Parry and a third from South African wing Kasende.

Having scored three tries in the opening half-hour the home side coughed and spluttered before grabbing the bonus-point with their fourth 15 minutes from time. Once again it was Walsh who got on the scoresheet before quick hands from Justin Tipuric and Owen Watkins released Kasende who sent Hardy racing to the try line.

The youthful Newcastle side had the final say when wing Max Pepper crossed wide out.

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