It was a mixed season for Toby Booth in his second full season in charge of the Ospreys.
Initially, it started well with four victories in the opening five games which included two derby wins and a victory against Munster.
By the time the opening set of European games arrived, the Ospreys had won five from their first seven matches.
Unfortunately, events off the field in December were the main headlines with tragedy to Ifan Phillips meant that it was an emotional festive period before Covid-19 swept through the squad.
2022 did not start off brilliantly as the Ospreys crashed out of Europe.
At the end of the Six Nations, the Swansea based region had only won twice all year and had picked up the lowest number of bonus points in the URC.
A bruising trip to South Africa ended with two defeats and nothing in return but the returning internationals would have a say about that.
Three derby successes followed, including two try bonus points against the Dragons and the Scarlets – it was also the first time they had scored over 50 points in a competitive fixture since 2018.
Despite defeat against the Bulls in the final round of the regular season, the Ospreys were crowed winners of the Welsh shield and were rewarded with a place in this season’s Champions Cup.
So, how will this season pan out for Toby Booth? Can the Ospreys creep into the playoff spots?
Transfer activity
There hasn’t been much change surrounding the playing squad ahead of this upcoming season.
Players like Ma’afu Fia, Olly Cracknell and Rhodri Jones have all moved on after struggling to find gametime.
During last season it was announced that Scott Baldwin was coming back to his home region after stints at Worcester Warriors and Harlequins.
Number 8 Sam Moore has joined the ranks in the backrow after an injury ridden time at Cardiff.
The signing I am looking forward to the most is Australian fly-half Jack Walsh who has already been making a marker in pre-season after joining from Exeter Chiefs.
Shameless plug here, but you can read more about Walsh here:
Finally, Richard Fussell has replaced Brock James as attack coach in one of the changes to the coaching staff.
Room for improvement
One of the key issues that the Ospreys had over the last season was regarding their attack.
Whilst it did pick up at the end of the season, Toby Booth’s side only registered six bonus points, only three teams picked up less during the last campaign.
Now, the attack is slowly starting to click with support runs becoming a big feature, both forwards and backs are more than capable of keeping ball in hand and offloading.
Outside half Walsh will add a different dimension to what the Ospreys will offer this term compared Gareth Anscombe and veteran Stephen Myler.
They will need to make sure that they can get the ball out wide to the likes of Keelan Giles and Alex Cuthbert who can cause damage.
In addition to this, Booth would love to see one of Mat Protheroe or Max Nagy to remain fit and battle it out for the fullback position.
Nagy is very reliable under the high ball due to his height and can identify space in behind thanks to his kicking game or running game and we saw Protheroe cause carnage on several occasions last season at wing or fullback – literally a hot knife through butter.
Although if the duo pick up a couple of knocks, I’m sure Michael Collins will be able to slot in like he did at the end of last season.
However, the region would need to make sure that the set piece is solid so it can provide the platform for the backs and with a pack littered with Welsh internationals, it shouldn’t be much of an issue.
The return of the skipper
A big boost for supporters would be the welcoming return of captain Justin Tipuric who returned in a friendly against Northampton Saints.
It was his first appearance of any sorts since June 2021 where he picked up a shoulder injury while playing for the British & Irish Lions.
Booth’s son calls Tipuric ‘the man in blue hat’ and it didn’t take long for him to win a turnover and boot the ball down field during his return.
I expect Tipuric to be starting at openside flanker in a backrow including Jac Morgan who will be hoping to continue where he left off last season after winning the URC turnover king award.
Which will allow the Ospreys captain to continue with his strong attacking game in the wide channels like we have seen so many times before.
Players to watch
Inside centre Joe Hawkins impressed massively while captaining the Wales u20s during the summer series in Italy and this season could be a breakthrough season and is more than capable of acting as a second playmaker that the Ospreys need in attack outside of the 10 shirt.
Someone that could play in a centre pairing with Hawkins is Keiran Williams who has featured at outside centre in both pre-season games.
In the pack, Garyn Phillips and Ben Warren look to be developing nicely, Rhys Davies is second in line to AWJ’s throne behind Adam Beard.
Finally, if you spot a yellow scrum cap on the field, that will be Harri Deaves who will be more than likely to steal a couple of turnovers.
Then there’s the usual suspects that will always perform well, the likes of Dan Lydiate, George North and ‘Malcom Marx’s hunter’ Dewi Lake who will be around for the opening block of the season.
Predictions
As the Ospreys social media accounts make a mockery off the field, it is looking encouraging on the field for the region – or franchise, I think that what they like to call themselves.
There’s a big if to my predictions ahead of the upcoming season for the Ospreys and it all depends on the outcome of the opening round clash against the Scarlets.
A win on the opening day will be a superb way to start a season but they haven’t won in Llanelli since 2015.
I believe the defending Welsh shield winners will struggle in their European pool against Leicester Tigers and Montpellier, who are reigning champions in the Gallagher Premiership and Top 14.
Although it will be different in the URC as I think they will nick a spot in the playoffs as their gradual climb under Toby Booth will continue.
Openside Blog 