European Challenge Cup
Zebre (13) 23
Tries: Fusco, Locatelli Cons: da Re 2 Pens: da Re 3
Ospreys (0) 19
Tries: Morse, K Williams, Edwards Cons: Edwards 2
Ospreys hopes of a home tie in the knockout phase of the Challenge Cup were dented with a narrow defeat as Zebre gave their own qualification hopes a boost with victory in Parma.
Mark Jones’ side gained the losing bonus point needed to secure a place in the last 16 but could not gain a third victory in the European tournament this season after previous bonus-point successes against Connacht and Montauban.
It would be a slow start from an inaccurate Ospreys as the hosts dominated the first half, taking a 13-0 lead into the break.
A first-half try from scrum-half Alessandro Fusco and eight points from the boot of outside-half Giacomo da Re putting the Italians in the acendancy.
With renewed purpose and energy, the visitors struck back immediately after the restart with recalled number eight Morgan Morse bundling over following good work by the Ospreys driving maul.
Ospreys would sense a comeback, and after a flowing counter-attacking move, James Ratti carried before releasing centre Kieran Williams to spot a gap in the Zebre defence to dot down, with Dan Edwards’ conversion giving the visitors the lead for the first time.
A third da Re penalty restored Zebre’s advantage before Wales fly-half Edwards cantered over, following a floated pass from replacement scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams, after Morse and Harri Deaves had carried strongly to take out multiple defenders.
But Ospreys could not hold on to the lead with Zebre flanker Samuele Locatelli securing the late, crucial score from a maul of their own to keep their hopes of qualification alive, leaving Jones’ side with a sense of what could have been.
Ospreys next welcome leaders Montpellier to the Brewery Field, whilst Zebre travel to Georgia to face Black Lion in the final round of the Pools fixtures.
Victory for the Welsh side would guarantee a home tie in the last-16, but defeat and either a Zebre or Connacht bonus point win over Montauban would see Mark Jones’ side with a harder knockout route back on their travels.
Ospreys starting XV:
15. Jack Walsh, 14. Iestyn Hopkins, 13. Evardi Boshoff, 12. Keiran Williams, 11. Keelan Giles, 10. Dan Edwards, 9. Kieran Hardy,1. Garyn Phillips, 2. Dewi Lake (captain), 3. Tom Botha, 4. Ryan Smith, 5. James Fender, 6. James Ratti, 7. Harri Deaves, 8. Morgan Morse.
Replacements:
16. Lewis Lloyd , 17. Steffan Thomas , 18. Kieran Hire, 19. Lewis Jones, 20. Gwilym Evans, 20. Reuban Morgan Williams, 22. Owen Watkin, 23. Dan Kasende.
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
