The Ospreys are the golden boys of Welsh regional rugby, but they must beware the dangers of 'second-season syndrome'.
 | OSPREYS PREDICTIONS Celtic League: 3rd Powergen Cup: Champions Heineken Cup: Group stage |
Everything appears rosy in the Neath-Swansea side's garden, with most pundits tipping them to repeat last year's runaway Celtic League success.
They have a fantastic new home at Swansea's 20,000-seater New Stadium, complementing their state-of-the-art training facilities at Llandarcy.
Their young, well-balanced squad play exciting rugby under visionary coach Lyn Jones.
When you factor in the Ospreys' willingness to embrace their entire region, the reliance on local talent, an innovative marketing strategy, and the 'wow' factor of Gavin Henson and Shane Williams, a large and enthusiastic fan base also seems guaranteed.
But the west Glamorgan side look likely to be more affected than most by the increased fixture demands of the coming year.
 Key player: Barry Williams |
Henson, Williams and Ryan Jones will miss the start of the season following their Lions exertions, and the international calendar will place a heavy burden on the Ospreys' resources.
In moving to counter these problems, Lyn Jones' summer recruitment drive has been somewhat low-key, with Leigh Davies the only big-name addition.
The coach has admitted that the balance in his squad between experience and development is currently weighted too heavily towards the latter.
There have been rumours of major overseas recruits being brought in before the start of the season, but strength-in-depth seems to be lacking at hooker, lock and full-back.
Meanwhile, the recruitment of Davies has re-opened debate over Henson's best position, something that could unsettle the young superstar.
| TRANSFER STORIES |
He shone at inside centre for Wales and the Ospreys last season, but if Davies claims the number 12 shirt Henson could feature at full-back, or even as back-up to Matthew Jones at fly-half.
The Ospreys' weaknesses could be exposed over a long campaign, and the champions may struggle to hold off the Celtic League challenges of Leinster, Munster, Ulster and the Scarlets.
For all the problems, the Ospreys' first-choice squad should be available by October and they would seem to have the set-up to mount a serious Heineken Cup challenge.
But they have been drawn in a true group of death alongside Leicester, Clermont Auvergne and Stade Francais.
 One to watch: Aled Brew |
The Ospreys learnt a lot from last year's fractious European encounters with Castres and Munster, but they have yet to win a major pool game away from home, and this year's challenge appears just too formidable.
If that is disappointing, the long-term prospects for the west Wales side remain thrilling, and in the short term their fans could be kept happy in the Anglo-Welsh Powergen Cup.
Mouth-watering west country derbies with Gloucester, Bristol and Bath await, and the Ospreys have the quality to go all the way in the new-look knock-out tournament.
In: Jonny Vaughton (Blues), Rob Appleyard (defence coach), Jonathan Humphreys (forwards coach), Leigh Davies, Andrew Bishop (Neath RFC), Ian Evans (Neath RFC), Lee Beach (Neath RFC), Alun Wyn Jones (Swansea RFC)
Out: Andy Williams (Bath), Nathan Bonner-Evans, Elvis Seveali'i (both Sale Sharks), Paul Mackey, Matthew Brayley (both Swansea RFC), Adrian Durston, Dave Tiueti, Luke Tait
Captain: Barry Williams
Coach: Lyn Jones
Assistant coaches: Sean Holley, Rob Appleyard, Jonathan Humphreys
Team colours: Black and white
Chief executives: Andrew Donald, Mike Cuddy
Grounds: The Gnoll (Neath), New Stadium (Swansea)
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
