Webb: We need to compete for the full 80 minutes
RHYS Webb has told his Ospreys side they must perform for the full 80 minutes if they are to turn gutsy performances into notable victories in the Champions Cup.
The Ospreys led Racing 92, who have a playing budget three times their own, at half time last weekend but fell away in the second half. Veteran scrum half Webb insists they aren’t far away from taking some major scalps but has pinpointed their accuracy as an area in need of improvement.
“We’ve produced some good, proud moments especially against big teams like Munster, and Ulster,” said the former Toulon man.
“We did 40 minutes against Racing who are one of the top teams in Europe. If we want to be the team we want to be we have to be there for the full 80 minutes. We talk about competing for trophies at the end of the season, but in order to do that we need to be competing for the full 80 minutes.
“It’s fine margins. It’s about the boys taking ownership and looking at themselves. We need to be more accurate.”
The Ospreys face a monumental challenge in Salford today against a formidable Sale Sharks side who are chasing a place in the Champions Cup last 16. Toby Booth has opted to put faith in the younger members of his squad with Josh Thomas, Harri Deaves, Rhys Henry, and Tian Thomas-Wheeler coming into his 23.
The Ospreys are missing several key players, and Webb is wary of the power Sale will bring to the game. “It’s going to be a huge challenge but as a squad we are looking forward to it,” he said.
“We played them (Sale) not too long ago at our place and we had opportunities there to win that game. We are playing in the Champions Cup against big opposition, and this is the competition we want to be involved in.
“There’s no easy game, and there’s no better challenge than playing Sale. The boys are excited about it.
“It’s a massive opportunity for these boys to witness Champions Cup rugby against big teams. There’s a lot of leaders out there on the pitch, and any team would miss the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, and Dan Lydiate.
“The list goes on. Yes, we do miss them, and we can’t wait to have them back, but it’s a big opportunity for other boys to stamp their mark on Heineken Cup rugby.”