ALL THE BUILD-UP TO ANOTHER BIG WEEKEND FOR SWANS & CARDIFF

AFTER a spirited performance in their opening defeat by reigning champions Munster A, Ospreys Premiership Select will be gunning for victory at Bedford in Pool One of the British & Irish Cup this afternoon (3pm).

Tom Smith’s Ospreys side led 6-3 at half time at St Helen’s in Swansea last Saturday, but the Munstermen showed their power in the second half to score three unanswered tries and finish comfortable 24-6 winners.

Next up is a trip to English Championship side Bedford – who are coached by ex-Cardiff and Wales international full-back Mike Rayer.

Bedford opened with a 38-26 bonus-point win at Nottingham.

Ospreys Select centre Joe Thomas said: “This week has all been about learning from where we went wrong against Munster.

“We played really well in the first half but let ourselves down in the second.

“Our execution wasn’t the best and we’re looking to put that right against Bedford.

“Obviously we’re looking at where we can attack Bedford and where we can get good outcomes.

“They’re a very well organised side, have a big pack and the backs like to play wide rugby.

“Defensively we’ve got to be on point and know our roles going into the game.

“We’ve got to focus on ourselves and how we can control the game.”

All four Select sides suffered defeats in their opening matches last week, but Scarlets and Dragons will be hoping to build on losing bonus points away from home as they return to home soil.

It could have been so much better with both surrendering 13-point leads.

Two sin-bins at the end of the first half also cost the Dragons dear as they went on to lose 27-20 at London Scottish in Pool Three.

This afternoon James Chapron’s side lock horns with Jersey at Ystrad Mynach (2.30pm) – with their opponents buoyed by a 32-3 home win over Yorkshire Carnegie.

The Scarlets also let slip a winning position in a 24-18 reverse against Ulster A in Pool Five and today will be looking to bounce back against Hartpury College.

And in Pool Two, Cardiff Blues Premiership Select head to Donnybrook this evening (7.45pm) to face Leinster A.

Blues were well beaten 31-7 by Bristol at Pontypridd’s Sardis Road in their pool opener and certainly have their work cut out again with Leinster looking to back up their 41-17 win at Doncaster.