Ospreys will now face Lyon in the quarter-finals of the competition next weekend after running in six tries against their old foes to gain revenge in the west Wales derby.
Having been beaten 38-22 at Parc y Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship last time out, it was a convincing victory from the off after a frantic start saw the home side race into a 26-7 lead at the break.
Adam Beard, Jac Morgan, Rhys Davies and Dewi Lake would all going over in the first period as half backs Reuben-Morgan Williams and Dan Edwards pulled the strings. Wales wing Blair Murray’s individual effort small consolation for the visitors who failed to show the same conviction and execution as the previous weekend.
The second period would turn into a more tepid error-strewn affair but still saw moments of magic with backs Jack Walsh and Daniel Kasende adding to the Scarlets woes before, centre Eddie James gave the travelling support late cheer with a fine try under the posts.
It will now be 2022 champions Lyon who travel to South Wales after the French side disposed of defending champions Hollywood Bet Sharks 34-21 at the Stade de Gerland.
Both Jones and captain Jac Morgan would be pleased with the Ospreys evenings work but know they will have to produce the complete performance to shock the French to go one step further than last season in the competition.
“I was very pleased with how we put the learnings from last week into action this week in that first half. We were very good,” said Jones post-match.
“But I’m disappointed with the second half. There was a lack of execution and intent and if we want to progress in this tournament and reach a semi-final, then we need to play for the full 80 minutes.
“The exciting thing is we have won and there is still plenty to work on.”
“All credit to the boys they came out that first-half, we started well last week but our discipline let us down, we talked a lot about that this week and we were much better,” added Morgan.
“We made a couple of changes from last week, but we’re always ready as a squad and as a group of boys and we make sure whoever steps onto the pitch they put in a performance.
“We enjoyed playing in the quarter-finals last year and we can’t wait to do it again at home.”
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
