After a low-scoring first half where the Ospreys showed once again their resolute defensive qualities. A double from full-back Iestyn Hopkins and a score from in form winger Keelan Giles proved to be the difference to down the French outfit who would pay for indiscipline in the second-half.
Dan Edwards would once again play with maturity past his years at fly-half controlling the game and kicking 10 points to the cause.
For Booth, it would be all about the learning and mentality of his young side whose execution after the break would be clinical to take the game away from Perpignan.
“We talked about being a bit smarter at half-time and about certain things we could do to reduce the physicality to learn the lessons of Montpellier,” said Booth.
We were probably a little naive in the first half.
“The great thing is that as a team they listen, as they always do, found a way and executed it well.
“That got us in front, and we then managed to pull away. The game then changes because nothing changes the mindset of the opposition more than the scoreboard.
“I felt because we were smarter, we managed to dictate the tempo of the game. Big is not always better.
“We managed to get more ball in play time, speed the game up and make big players make key decisions.
“You saw Iestyn [Hopkins] score some good tries and finish off what others had created. That was pleasing that bit.
“With a young group that hasn’t experienced a lot of success, it is important to cherish everything you can.
“Winning a few in a row is great, but if you can get something tangible out of it, nothing really reinforces what you are doing than actually winning something.
“Cup competitions are one-offs; you saw last year with Europe and the Champions Cup that no one thought we would beat the French and English champions and give the Saracens a massive run for their money.
“I appreciate the team is different, but from that point of view, we want to give something to people to cheer about and enjoy.
The Ospreys will now complete their pool campaign with a trip to South Africa to face the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg next weekend with the target a victory to earn home tie in the last 16 in April.
Booth, however, will have to make do without a growing list of casualties with Wales hooker Dewi Lake now a doubt for the Six Nations opener against Scotland on 3 February after picking up a hamstring injury.
“There is going to be some spaces on the plane for sure,” continued Booth.
“The good thing though is getting the result today means we have managed to qualify.
“We huffed and puffed around the bonus point, but it doesn’t matter now. It is not a needs must game but we will take it as a one-off and see where it takes us.
“Dewi [Lake] had a pop in his hamstring so we aired on the side of caution. Hopefully, it is a low grade so would be a couple of weeks, but it does depend. He walked off the pitch and was umming and areing to continue, so we made that decision.
“As athletes, you are very aware of your body and if something doesn’t feel quite right you have to make decisions of whether you continue at risk or not. Sometimes you have to protect the player from themselves as well.
“Gar [Gareth] Thomas is the same, that is why he didn’t come back on [at half time]. Garyn Phillips looks like he has done something to his arm so we will find out about that.
“James Fender’s, one looks nasty. The fact it was a collision, and he took the knee straight away. That is never a good sign. It is again another arm injury.
“Until we get them assessed I can’t answer too much about it, but it didn’t look great.
“George [North] has been struggling through the week and it [illness] all came on top of him in the warm-up. The report came from the physio that he was unable to go.
“Kieran Williams though is a great replacement. He has not played for a while and in he goes and delivered a very strong physical performance. Him and Owen [Watkin] were very strong in the middle so one door shuts and another one opens.”
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
