BEST IN THE WEST
CAN OSPREYS STOP THEIR TITLE-WINNING RIVALS THIS SEASON?
SO often Wales’ flag-bearers in cross-border competition, the Ospreys would have passed on the standard to their rivals through gritted teeth last season.
The four-times champions have long been the side carrying Welsh hopes, once dubbed the galacticos, a tag that never rested easily on the shoulders of those in Llandarcy.
For so long last season, it seemed to be the case again as Steve Tandy’s side swept all before them in Europe and topped the PRO12 table at the turn of the year.
But it was the Scarlets who put their foot to the pedal in the final months, scorching to the title with a vibrant brand of expansive rugby.
As both sides prepare for the new PRO14 campaign, we assess whether the mantle will stay on the western side of the Loughor or whether the Ospreys are ready to reclaim supremacy.
WHO HAS DONE THE BETTER BUSINESS IN THE TRANSFER MARKET?
Scarlets: One name, of course, shines like a beacon above the rest, Wales and Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny, a bonus buy after a relatively low-key summer of recruitment by the west Walians.
Halfpenny’s arrival fills the void left by Liam Williams’s high-profile departure to Saracens, with Pivac hoping the likes of Tom Prydie, Rhys Jones, Tom Grabham, Aussie Paul Asquith and Wales sevens prospect Morgan Williams can help counter the loss of try-poacher DTH van der Merwe to Newcastle. Ospreys: There have been just the two arrivals at Llandarcy, a return for the prodigal son James Hook and a fresh start for Cory Allen, who makes the move from the Arms Park.
Elsewhere, veteran Springbok prop Brian Mujati has penned a permanent deal following his loan spell in the second half of last season.
The Ospreys have lost two dynamic forwards in Sam Underhill (Bath) and Tyler Ardron (Chiefs), while Fijian playmaker Josh Matavesi has headed to the north-east to join Newcastle Falcons.
WHAT ABOUT THE COACHING TEAMS?
Scarlets: Unsurprisingly, on the back of the 2016-17 title triumph and the easy-on-the-eye manner in which it was achieved, the reputation of head coach Wayne Pivac couldn’t be higher.
The New Zealander also admitted this week it will only be a matter of time before attack coach Stephen Jones is elevated to the national set-up.
The influence of Byron Hayward (defence) and Ioan Cunningham (forwards), a relative rookie in the professional coaching scene, during the last term’s success shouldn’t be under-stated.
The Scarlets’ aggressive linespeed, in particular, played a huge role in the wins over Leinster and Munster in Dublin. Ospreys: Tandy will be in charge for a sixth full season, joined once again by his assistant Gruff Rees and defence coach Brad Davis.
With Kiwi Chris Gibbes returning to New Zealand to take the reins of the Wellington Lions, Allen Clarke has arrived from Ulster to look after the forwards.
The 49-year-old former hooker has had international experience with Ireland A and Emerging Ireland.
SQUAD STRENGTHS
Scarlets: After a spluttering start, the much-vaunted three-quarter line lived up to its pre-season billing as one of the most exciting in the competition and being able to rotate Jon Davies,
Scott Williams and Hadleigh Parkes in midfield was a real luxury for Pivac.
However, the title charge was underpinned by the performance of so-called understudies, the likes of Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Will Boyde, Lewis Rawlins, Jonathan Evans and Tadhg Beirne, who all made their mark during the course of the campaign, highlighted by the west Walians’ results during the international window when they lost just one game, to Leinster at the RDS.
The Scarlets also possess some of the best scavengers in the competition, with James Davies, John Barclay and Beirne all in lofty positions in the turnover chart last term. Ospreys: The addition of Hook and Allen, together with the return to fitness of Owen Watkin gives Tandy plenty of midfield options, particularly with Ashley Beck and Kieron Fonotia also in the mix.
Dan Lydiate’s recovery from his knee injury will feel like a new signing for the region, and an experienced and high-quality international one at that.
Again, much will revolve around one of the best half-back combinations in European rugby, Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar, with Sam Davies and Hook providing enviable alternatives when Biggar is away.
Tandy will also hope young locks Adam Beard and Rory Thornton can push on from their summer experience with Wales as they look to establish themselves alongside the totem that is Alun Wyn Jones.
POTENTIAL SQUAD WEAKNESSES
Scarlets: As their rivals have found, carrying the standard inevitably means greater representation on the national stage and that could mean the Scarlets squad taking a big hit during the autumn and Six Nations window, particularly if Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Steff Evans and Aled Davies remain in the Wales picture.
Pivac has leaned heavily on a dynamic back-row trio at the expense of a rumbling ball-carrying No. 8, which means the Scarlets can sometimes struggle to make dents when conditions dictate a more route one approach.
The loss of Williams and DTH could also expose the back three if there is any long-term injury. Ospreys: The black cat casualty count must have been astronomical in Ospreylia last season as the squad were struck by a debilitating injury list.
The biggest, of course, was the shoulder damage suffered by skipper Jones, whose absence coincided with the side’s end-of-term struggles.
Jones is huge for the Ospreys, a player who demands the highest of standards from all around him, but others have to start stepping forward into that role.
Arhip’s season-ending dislocated shoulder also destabilised the Ospreys set-piece platform and the Moldovan strongman remains a cornerstone they can ill-afford to lose.
Underhill’s move to Bath also raises questions as to who will wear the No.7 jersey when Justin Tipuric is away with Wales.
THE BIG QUESTION MARKS THE SEASON HOLDS?
Scarlets: No doubt, opposition teams will look to suffocate the west Walians after witnessing how they ripped open defences out wide in the second half of last season. The Scarlets pack answered most of the questions thrown at them, but they can expect to be tested again.
Will we see a rebooted Leigh Halfpenny?
Will James Davies remain in the international wilderness? Ospreys: Already, before a ball is kicked in anger, Dan Biggar’s future has been in the headlines and the link to Northampton Saints is unlikely to go away. Will it have any affect on the Wales fly-half?
Can the Ospreys rediscover their attacking swagger after a demoralising end-of-season slump?
Will Dan Lydiate push his way back into international reckoning?
What kind of magic is left in James Hook’s boots?
WHAT ARE THE TITLE ODDS?
Scarlets are as short as 9/2 with one bookmaker. You can get the Ospreys at 12/1. Leinster are the current favourites.
VERDICT
There will be little to choose between the sides again this season, with much depending on international commitments and injuries.
The Scarlets’ possess the momentum and a confidence in their style of play as well as arguably the best goal-kicker in world rugby.
The Ospreys showed at the start of last season, they too, can sprinkle the stardust.
Much again will revolve around their half-backs and if they can stabilise their set-piece, they should be contenders.
But Halfpenny’s arrival has come as a significant pre-season boost and it will be the Scarlets who will go into the season as Wales’ leading hope.