Jones defiant over his Ospreys future

Jan 6 2008 by Peter Shuttleworth, Wales On Sunday

LYN JONES knows that the next two weeks could define his future with the Ospreys.

Welsh rugby’s galacticos were supposed to be our great Heineken Cup hope this season but Jones prepares his men for their European D-Day believing both under-pressure coach and team have been a victim of their own success in developing young Wales internationals.

Such is the enormous expectation that surrounds Jones’ glitterati of A-list rugby superstars, qualifying for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals is the least his side should achieve.

Jones, though, points out that such anticipation is a little premature seeing as his region has only been in existence for a short while compared to other European rugby powerhouses, such as Toulouse, Leicester and Gloucester, their Heineken Cup opponents on Saturday.

“People build our players up to be the gods’ gift when perhaps they are not quite there yet,” insisted Jones, the man who said the Ospreys were the best ever non-international Welsh side.

“This squad has a great amount of ability and when we’re old enough we will really deliver. But many of them are young and still developing.

“I’m not sure you could call it failure if we don’t qualify for the quarter-finals of Europe. What will be will be.

“Wales finished fifth in the previous two Six Nations Championships and there’s a reason for it.

“When the Ospreys were created both Neath and Swansea went to the wall so we had a very small player base. So we had to put our faith in the area’s young talent and develop them.

“We’ve developed this region from scratch and our academy has been brave and developed young Welsh talent, as we’re instructed to do. Many of those young boys have gone on to play for Wales.

“Whether it is premature or not is another thing. But our hard work has raised the levels of expectation due to that hard work and success developing players.

“I am a realist, though. I know what stage of development our players are at and I know what stage of development our team is at.

“We played the Blues last week and they’ve got far more international experience than us; their lads had 100 caps more than us.”

Indeed, Jones’ captain Ryan Jones added: “As an entity, this club hasn’t played much in Europe and the most successful teams have been around a long time.

“We are learning from our mistakes and our big-game experiences. We lost the EDF Cup final last year after giving Leicester a head start and just narrowly failed to qualify for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

“We beat Sale in the final game but agonisingly missed out on qualifying, despite having 20 points – that was previously unheard of.

“We’re growing as a team and as a region – but we’re still young.”

The Ospreys are the moneybags and glamour club of Welsh rugby. They’ve a squad crammed full of high-profile Welsh internationals – Hook, Henson etc – and All Black great Justin Marshall.

They’re one of European rugby’s ‘haves’ and the region every other Welsh rugby fan loves to hate. But the Ospreys have been accused of having all style and no substance.

“If we don’t win we’re criticised,” said Jones.

“But if we deliver results we’re still criticised for having too many overseas players and we’re asked why aren’t we developing players for Wales.

“We’ve only got five non-Welsh players in our squad and we’ve only got those to cover injuries.

“All we can do is improve our individual players so we can deliver the best possible players for the national squad.

“I’m trying to balance my responsibilities to Wales and to the Ospreys, which is difficult.

“People forget that we had the best playing record of any professional side in Europe last year and it doesn’t get better than that.

“We’re happy with our progress and criticism that we’re not doing well is totally unfair. People base their opinions on emotions but I base mine on facts, so as a team and an entity we’re developing well. But the hard work still must continue.”

A quick glance down Jones’ star-studded playing roster and it’s easy to see why many believe the big-spending Ospreys should be realistic contenders for the European crown.

More pertinently for Jones is that the hugely-ambitious Ospreys board believe Heineken Cup progress – perhaps even glory – is achievable.

So, should the Ospreys lose to Gloucester and Bourgoin in their final two remaining Pool 2 fixtures and fail to qualify for Europe’s last eight, the coach could be the ultimate sacrifice.

Former Wales coaches Scott Johnson and Steve Hansen have been linked as possible replacements for Jones should the coach who has guided The Ospreys to two Celtic League titles become that ultimate sacrifice.

The aggressively ambitious Ospreys made their great intentions known when they spent big to appoint world-renowned New Zealand rugby player development guru Andrew Hore as their first elite performance director.

Hore will undertake a review of the Ospreys’ structure and personnel.

So Jones’ fighting talk is perhaps surprising as he is not just battling to fulfil his club’s European ambitions but to save his job.

Asked, however, if he feels his position is under threat, Jones said: “I do not think the question is valid. I find the speculation quite humorous.”

The pieces for a successful side are present, Jones just needs to ensure they fit perfectly in a few months that could define or demolish his coaching legacy at the Liberty Stadium.

An expected home sell-out against Guinness Premiership leaders Gloucester followed by a trip to France – where the Ospreys have never won – to face Bourgoin are ‘must win’ games if they are to progress to Europe’s knockout stage.

The Ospreys are on the trophy hunt in the EDF Energy Anglo-Welsh Cup, where they play Saracens in the semi-finals at The Millennium Stadium in March.

Lions star Ryan Jones, whose return to full fitness following a seven-month lay-off due to a shoulder injury is timely, concluded: “If we play to the best of our ability we can beat anyone in Europe. Our biggest fear is if we don’t perform then we have ourselves to answer to – no-one else.”