Grand Slam idols face Ospreys chop

Mar 19 2008 by Andy Howell, Western Mail

MIKE PHILLIPS is one of four Wales stars facing or receiving the chop by the Ospreys – just days after playing a starring role in the country’s Grand Slam triumph.

The scrum-half is on the shortlist of stars in line to be named official Six Nations player of the tournament. But that isn't likely to cut any ice with Ospreys coach Lyn Jones when he announces his side later this week for Saturday’s EDF Cup semi-final with Saracens at the Millennium Stadium.

Former New Zealand star Justin Marshall is odds-on to be at No 9 ahead of Phillips after wearing it in nearly all the ambitious region’s big matches this campaign.

Jones revealed Wales hooker Huw Bennett had been dropped for the Anglo-Welsh showdown, confirming Richard Hibbard would wear the No 2 jersey.

“Richard has worked particularly hard on his game. He has earned his right to play for the Ospreys,” insisted the former Wales flanker.

“It’s great for Richard. He is there on merit.”

Wales lock Ian Gough didn’t even make Jones’ squad for the clash with Saracens.

“Ian has had a particularly heavy effort over the last six weeks so, I think, it is in the best interests of Ian and the Ospreys to give him a week off to recuperate and come back a bit stronger,” claimed Jones.

“Likewise, we have a plan with all the Welsh boys who have played five games through the Six Nations to give them a break over the next few weeks.”

Blindside flanker Jonathan Thomas, who shone in the Wales back row during their European clean sweep, is another who could be back among the replacements when he returns to Ospreys duty this weekend.

Thomas and Phillips warmed the big-spending region’s bench during most of their Heineken Cup pool matches, but hoped a memorable Six Nations would see them move ahead of Marshall and Filo Tiatia in the Ospreys pecking order.

If Thomas does start, Wales captain Ryan Jones would be likely to be the man making way for him with former All Blacks Tiatia and Marty Holah almost certainly assured of two of the three slots in the back row.

Lyn Jones insisted he wasn’t under any obligation to adhere to Wales coach Warren Gatland’s call for all of the country’s top players to play in every big match.

“He is a professional coach with the Welsh rugby team. He is entitled to his opinion,” said Jones.

“In an ideal world, it might be the best way. What is important is we keep focused on Saturday and the EDF.

“The sort of issues that Warren is discussing with you is not for me to comment on but for other people in the four regional organisations.”

And Jones rapped, “Selection for the Ospreys will be done with players’ interests and Ospreys interests to the fore.

“We have a period coming up where we don’t want to get caught in the same trap as we were last year with five games in 21 days.

“We want to make sure this time we keep the boys fit and healthy with big games coming up in the EDF, Heineken Cup and Magners.

“It’s an extremely difficult position, quite frankly. We have back-to-back games with Saracens.”

He was referring to Ospreys’ clash with the English outfit in the quarter-finals of the showpiece Heineken Cup, at Vicarage Road, Watford, in just over a fortnight’s time.

Jones is under intense pressure to deliver an Anglo-Welsh and Heineken Cup double after 11 Ospreys started the Six Nations title decider with France last weekend.

Critics maintain the Ospreys – dubbed the Real Madrid of European rugby by British Lions great Jeremy Guscott – are a stronger side than Wales and must be red-hot favourites to win both tournaments following the national side’s stunning Grand Slam under the astute guidance of Gatland and his coaching sidekick Shaun Edwards.