The Hollywoodbets Sharks face Ospreys in the first of their two-game tour of the United Kingdom looking to stay in the URC playoff dogfight.
To Win
Ospreys | Draw | Hollywoodbets Sharks
Handicap
Ospreys | Hollywoodbets Sharks
Match context
JP Pietersen’s men lie 10th on the URC log, seven points off the top eight and with their backs well and truly against the wall. With a trip to the Scottish capital in store next week before their final two round robin ties with Benetton and Zebre in Durban, any more defeats from here on out would likely signal the end of their playoff hopes.
The Sharks were last in action in an EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 defeat at Connacht a fortnight ago, a game which marked the return of Eben Etzebeth following his lengthy suspension and also featured a heavily changed lineup what with so many of the side’s front-line players out injured.
It remains to be seen just how many of the franchise’s Springboks are back for this clash at the Dunraven Brewery Field, with the likes of Siya Kolisi, Jaden Hendrikse Bongi Mbonambi and Grant Williams all having missed matches recently. Others, like Aphelele Fassi, are out for the remainder of the season.
Although the presence of experienced players like Etzebeth, skipper Andre Esterhuizen and Vinny Tshituka will boost the side, the reality is that the absence of so many first choice individuals will not be easy to overcome and this trip to Bridgend will pose some real challenges.
Ospreys are 11th, three points off the Sharks and can overtake them with a big enough win this weekend. Their Challenge Cup round of 16 loss at Ulster means that, like the Durbanites, they would have had last week off and used it to focus fully on their remaining URC games as the season winds down.
Given Mark Jones’s side are currently on a three-game losing run in all competitions, there could be an added edge to their game this week, something which the Sharks should certainly be aware of.
Players to watch
Jac Morgan (Ospreys)
Back from his long injury layoff that cost him an appearance in the Six Nations, the exceptional Morgan is still finding his feet as he looks to regain the form that saw him selected to the British & Irish Lions last year. The Wales skipper copped a costly yellow card in the Challenge Cup loss in Belfast and will want to make amends this weekend, with the challenge of a talented Sharks side sure to light a fire in the belly.
Nick Hatton (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Whether he starts again at No 8 or is introduced off the bench this week, Hatton will again be one to watch as his influence within this Hollywoodbets Sharks side continues to grow. Long tipped for greatness by Coach JP, the Hilton College product captained his team in the Challenge Cup loss at Connacht which, at just 23, speaks volumes for the amount of respect he has in the dressing room.
With so many teammates out injured and the playoffs slipping away, it will be up to players like Hatton to spark something for the side as they look to win each of their remaining four games in the competition.
Tactical overview
The northern hemisphere weather will certainly play into Ospreys hands, especially given the Sharks will be coming all the way from humid Durban. The better knowledge of the conditions in south Wales will benefit Jones’ side as they seek to put an end to their losing run.
With their lineout and scrum still ranked top in the entire competition, the Sharks’ set piece supremacy should again be central to their cause and has the potential to cause a struggling Ospreys pack all kinds of pain.
The Welsh club are ranked 14th in the tournament for lineout accuracy and stone last for scrummaging, and they are likely to be highly vulnerable in this facet when the Sharks forwards get stuck in on matchday.
In the backs, Ospreys’ centre combo of Owen Watkin and Keiran Williams will have their hands full containing Esterhuizen and Ethan Hooker, though flyhalf Dan Edwards may look to the boot to cause some backfield damage on a Sharks back three that has been chopped and changed in recent weeks.
The Durbanites though should have the personnel, desire and style of play to fend off the challenge of the Welsh club this weekend.
Prediction
Although Ospreys will have their home support behind them, the Sharks’ set piece dominance could be too big an obstacle for them to overcome. Get on the visitors to win by clearing the handicap.
