Issue 157

Ospreys Up for a Magners

08th October 2007

Carl Day looks at the reigning Celtic league champions as the league gets underway at the Liberty Stadium with a win against Glasgow

For anyone new to Swansea and interested in watching high level rugby then they should get themselves up to watch the Swansea Ospreys at the liberty Stadium near Morriston. The Ospreys are the reigning Magners Celtic league champions, the league contains Scottish, Irish and Welsh teams. The Ospreys are one of four Welsh teams the others are the Llanelli Scarlets, the Cardiff Blues and the Newport Dragons.

The vast majority of the Welsh squad come from these four teams and the Ospreys provide more then the other regions. The Ospreys are the biggest spenders in the Celtic league and the introduction of Mike Phillips and former all black Marty Holah increases competition for places at the Liberty.

Although the Ospreys are the defending champions they do have a point to prove in the Heineken cup. The Welsh teams have had a bad record in the competition over the last few years and have been overshadowed by Irish, English and French sides. For a team like the Ospreys including internationals like James Hook, Ryan Jones, Justin Marshall and Shane Williams the Quarter finals should be a minimum.

The Ospreys have already lost twice this season to rivals Cardiff and Llanelli and the Belfast based Ulster team with their only win coming against Glasgow. They will be boosted by the return of the national players after Wales early exit. Coach Lyn Jones will hope that the returning players have a point to prove to the new Welsh head coach in the run up to the 6 nations.

You can catch match updates and exclusive interviews with the Ospreys players on Swanseas own Xtreme radio.

The dugout airs on Saturdays and has reporters at the liberty for either Ospreys games or Swansea City on 1431 am or www.xtremeradio.org

Carl Day