Allen Clarke has backed his Ospreys team to continue to recover from the death wish placed on them and suggested no-one outside the region will know the extent of their turmoil.
Just two weeks after being crumpled like a piece of waste paper and hurled towards the bin, the Ospreys showed their resolve with a 29-20 bonus point victory over the Dragons.
The win – underpinned by four tries from full-back Dan Evans – came in their first game since merger plans with the Scarlets, backed by the Welsh Rugby Union, were abandoned following the outrage that ensued.
Clarke, whose calm and measured Ulster tones have been part of the backdrop of a chaotic few weeks, insists the Ospreys are in no worse shape than any of the other three regions and is confident over their future. Far from contemplating the disappearance of their jobs, their wages, and the region’s existence, he says they are fixing their gaze on finishing the season with a flourish.
His team are still in the hunt for the Guinness Pro 14 play-offs as well as Heineken Champions Cup qualification, but now face must-win games in South Africa against the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings.
“We are away now to South Africa for a couple of weeks,” said head coach Clarke, whose questioning of forces trying to push his team into the margins in a live TV interview a month ago let the cat out of the bag on plans that emerged from Project Reset.
“It’s going to be a tough challenge, with different elements. But it’s a real opportunity to bond after what has been a tough couple of months.
“We can forget about everything that we have been reading every day and all the speculation that has been surrounding us as a club. It’s nice to now have some certainty.”
Asked how difficult a period the regions have through, he added: “I don’t know if anyone will ever know the extent of that, or the measure of it.
“But they boys themselves have fronted up and shown commitment throughout.
“There is no manual for it as an individual or as a coach. It is a testament to everybody at the Ospreys that we tried to stay task-focused.”
Clarke is still clearly angry and mistrustful at the way the way the Ospreys appeared to be carved up on the negotiating table of the Professional Rugby Board and the questions that have arisen about the Swansea-based region’s supposed viability.
“I am not so sure the word viability should just be associated with the Ospreys, to be honest. As far as I’m aware, we are in as good a position as any of the other regions.”
Clarke has also paid credit to his international contingent – seven of whom helped Wales lift the Grand Slam.
Five of that group – Owen Watkin, Aled Davies, Nicky Smith, Adam Beard and Justin Tipuric – started against the Dragons, whilst George North and Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones were both ruled out with injury.
North may have broken two bones in his hand, but that did not prevent him being on dressing room duty, preparing drinks bottles for his team-mates.
“All credit to Wales, they managed the tournament superbly,” added former Ireland hooker Clarke.
“For us as Ospreys, we are tremendously proud of the boys and we recognised that on Monday. The real credit to those men is the energy and the modesty they have come back with and the focus they have shown.
“George North was in the dressing room, helping out with the water bottles before the game.
“For me, their humility, considering what they are achieving, is a real testament to them as individuals.”