Coach Lyn defusing tension ahead of clash with Dragons

Apr 24 2008 by Andy Howell, South Wales Echo

OSPREYS coach Lyn Jones has attempted to defuse the tension ahead of tomorrow night’s vital Magners League clash with the Dragons at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium.

Jones has changed tack and praised the Gwent region – after earlier this month slamming a perceived lack of ambition among head honchos at Rodney Parade.

“In Newport, they haven’t got a clue what they’re doing,” he had rapped.

“Maybe they’re suffering a hangover from when Pontypool were a power. There is a problem in that Newport comes first, Gwent second.

“Unless they are prepared to address that today they will have no chance. They have no ambition and are not producing anything.”

Jones had insisted, in a Sunday newspaper, the Ospreys had it right when professional rugby in Wales went regional five years ago by quickly forging a new identity.

He said: “When we moved from clubs to regions it was a very difficult time.

“But I think the merger of Neath and Swansea was always going to have an advantage in the long-term.

“This is not Neath in disguise or Swansea in disguise but the Ospreys. It’s not a question of money but the result of hard work, and you wonder how big can it be.

“People know where they want the business to go.”

But with their clash with the Dragons looming, Jones has softened his stance.

He said: “Local derbies do bring out the best in players and they have nine players who have played international rugby within the last two years.

“We are going to go into this game with the mentality of any European fixture or EDF Cup game we have played.”

The pair are battling to avoid finishing bottom Welsh region in the Magners League. Ospreys are six points ahead of the Dragons and are already assured of at least a play-off for the final place in next season’s Heineken Cup.

But the Dragons would miss out if they are overhauled by Ulster and Connacht with just five points separating the bottom three.

OSPREYS-BOUND Ulster and Irish wing Tommy Bowe has been voted the IRU Players’ Player of the Year. Leinster’s Cian Healy won the newcomer prize.