Warriors put weakened Ospreys to the sword
THE Ospreys managed to salvage a losing bonus point at Sixways but their decision to again field a weakened team cost them victory for the second time this season.
It happened in the PRO14 when they were hammered by Munster and the result was the same again here, albeit with the margin of defeat a lot smaller.
You couldn’t help but feel this was a missed opportunity. Cardiff Blues won the Challenge Cup last season and the Ospreys certainly have the quality to compete in the latter stages of this season’s competition.
But fielding a second string here resulted in their first European loss of the campaign and it means it’s Worcester who are now in control of Pool 2.
The Warriors were no great shakes themselves, but tries from Jamie Shillcock, Wynand Olivier and Jack Singleton put the hosts 21-0 up at the break.
Ospreys got back into it through a Cory Allen brace and Rob McCusker effort, but it wasn’t enough.
The men from the Liberty Stadium were again left with a feeling of what might have been as two late penalties from star man Shillcock put the final nail in their coffin.
Ospreys head coach Allen Clarke defended his decision.“The selection I made was common sense,” he said. “In my position I have to do what’s best for the Ospreys and the young guys did well.
“They will have got some experience and confidence from this game and the combinations we blooded here will be vital for us in November when we have guys away with Wales.
“I think teams rotating players isn’t devaluing this competition. In fact, I think it’s the opposite. It provides a great opportunity for young players to get up to speed.”
Allen added: “George North, Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and all our big players were young once. Player welfare is very important and who knows, maybe we all saw the future of Welsh and English rugby out there today.”
Ospreys were awful before the break, their disjointed performance no surprise given the way their young guns had been thrown together.
Star man Shillcock escaped down the blindside of a ruck for Worcester’s first try and then after Matti Williams crashed through a poor James Hook tackle attempt, captain Olivier scored beneath the sticks.
A third try arrived from a driving line-out, hooker Singleton emerging with the ball and three conversions from Shillcock put Worcester in total control.
In the second period the Ospreys were much better after a half-time rollicking from Clarke.
Allen got his first from a Matthew Aubrey chip and then McCusker was driven over. Two conversions from Hook put the visitors on the comeback trail.
It finally got what had been a poor atmosphere going and the introduction of England centre Ben Te’o for his first game of the season raised the spirits of the home fans.
But the hulking Te’o’s only action of note was to throw a pass which Allen intercepted for his second score and although Cai Evans converted, it wasn’t enough for the Ospreys.
Two late Shillcock penalties sealed things for Worcester who go top of Pool 2.
Worcester head coach Rory Duncan said: “We are very happy to come away with a win and make it two wins from two in this competition.
“The Ospreys picked their game up in the second half but we are in a good position now. There is still a long way to go and it was good to see Ben back out there after his operation too.
“He came on in quite difficult circumstances and we weren’t on the front foot, but the result is the most important thing.”