BBC Sport Rugby Union: Wales Coach Defends Ospreys Player Omissions from National Squad
Wales national rugby union team coach Warren Gatland faced criticism for omitting several Ospreys players from his squad, but Ospreys coach Toby Booth has addressed the issue head-on.
Booth revealed that the Wales management have had open discussions with the affected players, both individually and as a group. “We talk about it privately to individuals and we try to seek feedback,” Booth explained. “We have had these conversations in team meetings about how we support people when they need our help.”
The Ospreys boss emphasized the tight-knit nature of the squad, stating, “We are a tight-knit group that look after each other. If it is positive or negative, we deal with that and it’s what keeps this group together.”
Gatland had suggested that Ospreys’ players were being judged partly on their performances in heavy defeats against the Bulls and Leinster, where they conceded 60 points in successive weeks. However, Booth pointed out that the Ospreys had overcome strong opponents like the Stormers and Ulster “when they were at full strength.”
Looking ahead, Booth acknowledged the challenge that lies ahead for his players. “We are going to Munster this week to play against a very strong team with high Irish representation who are current champions and number one in the league,” he said. “We are looking to see how those individuals you name, and others, are going to play against the best. That’s a good gauge, as was pointed out by others.”
Booth emphasized that the Ospreys’ performances against high-caliber opposition have been commendable and suggest that the players who have been selected for the Wales national squad have delivered similar performances. “You have seen our performances against high-class opposition, which have been good and suggest people who are in front of [the Ospreys players with Wales] have delivered those sort of performances,” he said.
“We are a tight-knit group that look after each other. If it is positive or negative, we deal with that and it’s what keeps this group together.”
- Toby Booth, Ospreys Coach
In conclusion, Booth defended the Ospreys players and emphasized the open communication between the team and the Wales management, while highlighting the team’s strong performances against top-tier opponents.
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