‘Role model’ Tipuric a perfect example what all Ospreys should be 

As a contest, the match would be a fine advert for the URC with nine tries in all run in between the two sides. Tipuric was involved in the best of many of the Ospreys best moments, creatively and defensively leading from the front as Reuban Morgan Williams, Max Nagy and Nicky Smith also got on the scoresheet. 

Having started slowly much like their opening encounter with Connacht, going 12-0 down within the first ten minutes, the Ospreys produced a gritty performance to earn a try bonus point victory. 

The Italians expected physical threat would be on show to see, however, excellent build-up and skill within the four hosts tries would be encouraging from Booth’s side. 

The pick of the bunch would be a solo effort from full-back Mat Protheroe gaining a seal of approval from the 3,000 within the Swansea.com Stadium. 

Full of superlatives for his captain celebrating last weekend’s milestone of 200 appearances for the region, Booth had nothing but praise for the ex-Wales flanker. 

“An Ospreys man looks like Justin Tipuric. He is the biggest role model you are going to get. He is selfless, smart, and very talented. He also has an unbelievable work ethic to go with it,” said Booth.

“Just having him in the building with the influence he has around the group, he sets an unbelievable example to everybody and demands the very best all of the time. 

“That is the reason he is held in such high regard and the reason he deserves every accolade he can get. I’m delighted [his 200^th appearance] has been marked with a victory, in what could be argued is a Justin Tipuric type game. 

“He was positive, a bit end-to-end and some special stuff in there. Which is how he has always played the game. 

“We’re a new group that is learning as we go, and it is a lot easier to learn when you win. 

“We got found wanting early on but the true character in this team, as you saw last week came through. 

“It’s important for the group that we get some points on the board. It helps the morale and momentum for sure.” 

[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]