Ospreys shot down as Biggar is forced off

TREVISO No.8 Dean Budd hailed his side’s huge defensive effort as the traditional Italian strugglers beat the Ospreys to record their second consecutive win of the season.

Many have questioned the position of the two Italian sides in the PRO14, however on recent evidence Treviso are more than worthy of their place, with the Ospreys beaten courtesy of a try from flanker Franceso Minto and 11 points from the boots of Ian McKinley and Marty Banks.

Ospreys have now lost eight of their last ten matches.

“Our defence was incredible which meant they made very little linebreaks and we just kept pushing them back and it forced them to make poor decisions,” said Budd.

“It’s an awesome feeling to win after 80 minutes of pure hard work.”

Treviso winger Luca Sperandio was the first to make inroads when his burst from inside his own half took him within inches of the line after just two minutes. The ball was recycled for Minto to crash over from short range for the only try of the game which McKinley converted.

Sperandio was lively throughout the match, causing havoc in attack and making some key interventions in defence.

Ospreys could muster only six points from the tee, three from returning fly-half Dan Biggar, who was then forced from the field after 15 minutes with a jarred back.

Treviso full-back Jayden Hayward saw yellow for a high tackle but his side still ended the half ahead 13-6 after two McKinley penalties.

A period of sustained Ospreys pressure at the start of the second half led to Alun-Wyn Jones touching down, only to be disallowed for offside.

Treviso held firm and replacement Marty Banks added another three points to make the game safe and condemn Steve Tandy’s men to their third straight defeat of the season.

An Ospreys spokeman said Biggar should be fit for next week: “Dan jarred his back as he hit the knee of another player. He was sore, but should be be fit for the game in South Africa.”

No.8 Dan Baker will undergo the HIA back to play protocols, while Justin Tipuric will miss the game after flying home for the birth of his child.