It’s all to play for as Ospreys and Co set up big Euro finish

ALUN Wyn Jones declared the Ospreys’ Champions Cup fate is firmly in their own hands after victory over Northampton Saints set up a titanic clash with Saracens in Swansea in January.

A physical effort in appalling conditions in Swansea helped spur the Liberty Stadium outfit to a 32-15 victory over the struggling Saints.

They head into round five in second place in Pool 2 – but with Saracens next up for his side, Jones warned that the hardest work was still to be done in the pool.

“We have an opportunity now and that’s all it is,” said the Ospreys captain.

“Nothing is written in stone and knowing some of the players in that Saracens team I am sure they will want to turn around this pool in the next round of fixtures. “So, we can’t get ahead of ourselves. “But there’s no reason why we can’t be positive going into the final rounds.”

The Ospreys built their four-try win on an outstanding front-five effort which saw them out scrummage Northampton and impose themselves physically on the English club in all areas. Rhys Webb scored two tries and Dmitri Arhip shone, but Bradley Davies took the man-of-the-match award after an exceptional display which backed up his strong show at Franklin’s Gardens the weekend before, prompting Ospreys coach Steve Tandy to acclaim the 30-year-old lock.

Asked if Davies was playing well enough to earn a Wales recall for the Six Nations, Tandy said: “Yes, I think it’s probably the best he’s played for us.”

The victory for the Ospreys and the Blues’ 14-6 success over Sale Sharks at the Arms Park rounded off a largely-positive weekend for the Welsh regions.

The Scarlets stayed in the Champions Cup hunt by taking maximum points off Benetton in a 31-12 success in Italy, with a key game against Bath at The Rec to be played in the next batch of games.

And, while the Dragons were edged out at home by Newcastle Falcons on Friday evening, good results in their remaining games could yet see them into the quarter-finals.