Ospreys fans react to their inclusion in the Champions Cup pool of death

Ospreys’ return to the Champions Cup after a year’s absence suffered a major setback on Wednesday when they were landed in next season’s pool of death following the draw in Switzerland. 

Allen Clarke’s team only qualified for the tournament through the skin of their teeth by beating the Scarlets in a play-off, but they will face reigning champions Saracens, last season’s semi-finalists Munster, and runners-up from the season before Racing 92. 

Free-spending Racing are in search of an elusive Champions Cup title. After losing in two of the past four finals, they are bolstering their squad ahead of next season in the pursuit of winning the competition. 

With the addition of Stephen Larkham and Graham Rowntree to Munster’s coaching staff next season, the two-time champions are expected to be a force. Meanwhile, Saracens have won three of the last four titles and keep improving year on year. 

This is undoubtedly the hardest group in the 2019/20 competition, but Ospreys have recruited well ahead of next season for moments like these. 

The debates are already starting to rage about next season's #ChampionsCup and #ChallengeCupRugby 🔥

The draw brought about a couple of tasty clashes for us all to look forward to 🤩

Here some highlights of a TENSE pool draw 🎞 pic.twitter.com/L0SFWG4htL

— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) June 19, 2019

Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe joined the club in order to have greater exposure in Europe and he will now spearhead the only Welsh side’s campaign. 

Nonetheless, Ospreys fans are lamenting being drawn in this group. They knew that the Champions Cup was going to be tough, but it is bad luck to be drawn in such a devilish pool. This has been the reaction: 

pic.twitter.com/vTyugaY9Rp

— Nett 🐶🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏋️👟💪🏼🏉🖤🍻🐕 (@NettThom) June 19, 2019

You might need life insurance in that pool 😧😧 that take pool of death to another level 😬

— John Hawryluk 🇺🇦 (@jbeaton1993) June 19, 2019

pic.twitter.com/VrqaTW2x18

— Mark Iverson (@markyiverson) June 19, 2019

https://twitter.com/westlake678/status/1141333737499705344?s=20

https://twitter.com/westlake678/status/1141334518051364865?s=20

Ospreys happy to be in the Champions Cup:

Ospreys seeing their group: https://t.co/Lui9NAYCpG pic.twitter.com/Jg4UjFxin3

— Nathan Parker (@parkern1996) June 19, 2019

Brutal draw 😲 https://t.co/Uq5kV1QAfg

— chris morgan (@moggz13) June 19, 2019

https://twitter.com/Gus_H70/status/1141330087410831361?s=20

I’m happy with that! 3 huge home and away games to get all the ospreys region behind!

— Philtronics Limited (@PhiltronicsLtd) June 19, 2019

While there are certainly no easy pools in the Champions Cup these days, few would argue that this one (Pool Four) is not the group of death. 

Then again, many fans are remaining upbeat with the rationale that you must beat the best in order to become the best. 

One thing is for certain, a European giant of the past few years will not make the quarter-finals next season. 

WATCH: The new RugbyPass documentary, Going Pro, about the Saracens women’s team and their successful attempt to win back to back English titles