Come back Lions, the Ospreys need you says Dan
OSPREYS full-back Dan Evans hopes his side’s returning British & Irish Lions can boost Steve Tandy’s men following a tough start to the new PRO14 season.
The Liberty Stadium outfit edged past Italian whipping boys Zebre on the opening weekend, but a 31-10 hiding at Glasgow Warriors didn’t improve head coach Tandy’s mood, nor yesterday’s defeat to Munster.
Lions flanker Justin Tipuric has begun the new campaign, and inspirational skipper Alun-Wyn Jones, and Lions half-back pair Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar are in line to return for the next two trips to Treviso and South African side Cheetahs to hand their team an extra edge.
“Lions players would boost any team and they’ll be a great asset to us when they come back,” said two-times Wales cap Evans, below. “It was a physical summer for them so they deserved their extra time off but we can’t wait to get back playing with them again. “Obviously we’ve had Justin since day one and he’s a quality player. The other guys have been coming back over the last couple of weeks and the presence they have around the camp is great.”
There was a time not so long ago when the Swansea-based region were labelled the ‘Galacticos’ of Welsh rugby. But a lack of resources has meant the Ospreys have relied heavily on a small number of star players in a streamlined squad.
Nonetheless, Evans believes that the region's Lions players can get them back on track.
“Injuries seemed to happen at the wrong time for us last year, so hopefully all the boys can get fit and stay fit,” said Evans. “The strength in depth we’ve got here is brilliant and that’s key. We are still trying to get our platform this season, but there are a number of games we are looking forward to now.”