The Ospreys are banking on their latest acquisition, Ross Moriarty, to ignite their United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign. The flanker is set to make his debut in the crucial opener against the Bulls in Pretoria. This highly anticipated match is scheduled for Saturday, 27 September, kicking off at 13:00 BST.
Moriarty, 31, recently joined the Ospreys from Brive and immediately steps into the fray, named in a side led by Wales hooker Dewi Lake. Head Coach Mark Jones is visibly excited about Moriarty's potential impact. "He is keen to get out there which is fantastic," Jones stated. "Ross has such energy, you can see already he cares and he talks with such passion."
The coaching staff's strategy is simple: unleash Moriarty's strengths. "We want him to just do what he is good at, lead with ball in hand, show his collision game and make an impact in defence. The more he plays, the more settled he will get," Jones explained.
The Ospreys face a challenging start to the season with two matches in South Africa, facing both the Bulls and the Stormers within a tight six-day window. While the Springboks are currently engaged in the Rugby Championship, Jones remains pragmatic about the timing of their South African tour. "The South African teams are always strong, whether their international contingent is there or not," he emphasized.
"Arguably the biggest strength of South African rugby is its depth so whatever opposition you face it will be very strong. We have not opened our season out here since the South Africans have been involved in the competition, so it's a great opportunity to get away as a group."
While Flanker Jac Morgan, the Ospreys' captain for the season, will be absent this weekend due to his late arrival following his British and Irish Lions duties, the focus remains firmly on Moriarty's debut and the team's ability to secure a positive result in Pretoria.
Key Players to Watch
- Ross Moriarty (Debut)
- Dewi Lake (Captain)
Match Details
- Opponent: Bulls
- Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
- Date: Saturday, 27 September
- Kick-off: 13:00 BST