Ospreys a big Celtic target
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:52
Ospreys celebrate their 2009-10 Magners League win.
Defending champions Ospreys will be targets for a high-achieving Cardiff Blues and the traditionally strong Irish provinces when the new-format Celtic League kicks off this weekend.
The non-relegation Magners League has increased to 12 teams with the inclusion for the first time of two Italian franchises, Aironi Rugby and Benetton Treviso, and will also feature play-offs at season's end.
The Blues' campaign kicks off on Saturday at home to Edinburgh and coach Dai Young said he was aiming for a winning start to the season.
"We have gone on record as saying we want to do well in the Magners [Celtic League]," the former Wales and British Lions prop said, quoted by Welsh media.
"We are giving it a much bigger focus in that we are constantly mentioning how important it is to us this year and how we have got to hit the ground running.
"We are determined to do well in the Magners and in order to do that we feel we have to start strongly.
"We've come second twice. It's important for us now we get into the top four because the play-offs is what it's all about."
The Blues, winners of last season's European Challenge Cup, have been bolstered by the signing of Scotland's Australian-born outside-half Dan Parks to a squad Young dubbed his "strongest ever".
"Your squad wins competitions and trophies. It's not just a team," said Young.
"It's important that we demonstrate we have got a squad strong enough to go all the way."
However, Munster and Ireland lock Paul O'Connell, the British and Irish Lions captain to South Africa in 2009, tipped the Swansea-based Ospreys to defend their crown.
"If you look at the depth that the Ospreys have, there's probably no team in Europe, never mind the Magners League, that has the strength they have," he said.
"They probably are the team to beat."
The Irish provinces of Leinster and Munster also boast similarly strong squads littered with international players, but the lack of strength in depth could be a problem for Aironi and Treviso in their debut season.
But O'Connell's partner in the Munster boilerhouse, Donncha O'Callaghan, welcomed the addition of the two Italian sides as a "very good development", and predicted a tough game for his team against Aironi on Saturday.
"I feel it is great that they are in now. It will be brilliant for the competition and really good for Italian rugby going forward," O'Callaghan said.
"The Italian sides are hugely proud and they will want to play well.
"You have no video footage of them for the past few years. As the Celtic League has gone on the teams have been able to build up a library of moves, things they like to do, but you won't have that with Aironi.
"You are preparing for something of an unknown quantity. It will be a good test, for us as well."
Ulster have boosted their squad with the signing of three high-profile South Africans in Ruan Pienaar, Johann Muller and Pedrie Wannenburg, but face a tough opening test at home against Ospreys on Friday.
"I believe that we have closed the gap on Munster and Leinster and the players have the chance to show that. All the ingredients are there," said Ulster's operations director David Humphreys.
Leinster play Glasgow in their opener, also on Friday, while the fourth Irish province Connacht host the Newport Gwent-Dragons and the Scarlets travel to Benetton Treviso.
Week One fixtures:
Friday, September 3:
Warriors v Leinster, Firhill Stadium - 19.05 (18.05 GMT)
Ulster v Ospreys, Ravenhill - 19.05 (18.05 GMT)
Saturday, September 4:
Connacht v Dragons, Sportsground - 17.30 (16.30 GMT)
Blues v Edinburgh, Cardiff City Stadium - 18.30 (17.30 GMT)
Benetton Treviso v Scarlets, Stadio di Monigo - 19.05 (18.05 GMT)
Munster v
Aironi, Musgrave Park - 19.30 (18.30 GMT)
AFP
Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Advertising
