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Iestyn Hopkins ensures Mark Jones Ospreys era begins with dramatic win

By PA
Iestyn Hopkins of Ospreys warms up during the EPCR Challenge Cup match between the Ospreys and Perpignan at Swansea.com Stadium on January 12, 2024 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)

Iestyn Hopkins scored a match-winning try with the game’s final action as Ospreys beat rivals Scarlets 23-22 in the United Rugby Championship.

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Scarlets looked set to end their miserable record in Swansea when they led 19-8, but two yellow cards and two missed kicks from Ioan Lloyd cost them dear.

But they remain without a win in the city since October 2017 after the dramatic late turnaround.

Lloyd was successful with four penalties and converted a try from Ellis Mee with Sam Costelow adding a penalty.

Match Summary

2
Penalty Goals
5
3
Tries
1
1
Conversions
1
0
Drop Goals
0
160
Carries
82
7
Line Breaks
5
11
Turnovers Lost
10
7
Turnovers Won
6

Sam Parry, Justin Tipuric and Hopkins scored Ospreys’ tries with Dan Edwards kicking two penalties and a conversion.

Ospreys dominated the opening 10 minutes with a clean break from Jack Walsh threatening to open the scoring.

Tom Rogers hauled the full-back down metres short of the try-line but the hosts maintained the pressure with a penalty from Edwards putting them in front.

Scarlets soon responded with two Lloyd penalties in quick succession and the visitors led 6-3 after 20 minutes.

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A superb 60-metre run from Mee was the highlight of the first half-hour and it won a penalty for his side, which Lloyd knocked over with ease.

He soon added a fourth when Ospreys were penalised at a scrum but the hosts scored the first try of the game after 36 minutes when Parry finished off a driving line-out.

Edwards missed the conversion before Scarlets scored the try of the night with the last action of the first half.

They won a line-out for Gareth Davies and Costelow to combine neatly in a pre-planned move before Mee was sent on an unopposed 30-metre run to the line.

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Lloyd converted for Scarlets to lead 19-8 at the interval but soon after the restart he missed an opportunity to extend that advantage as his kick sailed wide.

Ospreys needed a score to keep in contention and they got it when Tipuric forced his way over from close range.

Lloyd surprisingly missed another so Scarlets changed their kicker and it paid dividends as Costelow was successful from 45 metres.

But straight from the kick-off the visitors lost possession and Owen Watkin raced into the opposition 22. When Scarlets were penalised, Sam Lousi was yellow-carded with Edwards kicking the resulting penalty.

Lousi returned with no damage done to the scoreboard but Ioan Nicholas soon replaced him in the bin and Hopkins capitalised with the clock 30 seconds into the red to score the match-winning try.

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R
RedWarrior 22 minutes ago
Many England fans echoing the same gripe following Six Nations loss

The English defense was excellent in the first half. This is considering Ireland's attack has improved significantly since the Autumn with former Leinster attack coach Goodman. Ireland were beaten by NZ in the Autumn, are behind SA and arguably behind France so de facto 4th in order (rankings take time to catch up) As Eddie Jones said Ireland are still in that elite group so England's domination in the first half is noteworthy.

I believe they have spent the time since the Autumn largely on defence. On broken play they were relying on Smiths instint along with some jiggery pokery. For Smiths early line break a Twindaloo blocked Baird which left the gap for smith. It looked like he did Aki, but Baird was a little late arriving and clever play by Tom Curry allowed the gap for Smith. Earls line break was Smith spotting Baird coming out and beating him with a beautiful pass to Earl.

We saw the rehearsed plays for a couple of Ireland's tries. The Aki try was just identifying that England tended to hide Smith on the wing creating a vulnerability which Ireland exploited with one of Akis great finishes.

Although Ireland were relaxing at the end the two English tries were good enough quality and we may see more of it next week (Scotland will also have taken note).

Although on the easier side of the draw Borthwick almost took England to a RWC final.

But in common with the top4 you need to have firepower to get those tries in big games. Can Borthwick manage that? I don't think so.

Next week even if England have a great first half again, you would be looking at France converting 3 of those Irish chances and pushing on after the break.

Can Borthwick develop a plan to beat France in the next few years. If the answer is no England need to find someone who can.

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