Dwayne Peel sat down to speak to the media ahead of Sunday’s EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 clash with near neighbours Ospreys in Swansea.
Here’s what he had to say
What are your reflections after last weekend’s win, particularly after that slow start?
DP: “Slow is an understatement! We were really poor in that first 15 minutes and it was hard to put a finger on it. We had prepared well and there was a lot of emotion around the game. We just backed up error after error. But I was pleased with the resilience we showed after giving them a couple of tries. We have spoken a lot this year about growth and experience within the group and a lot has been said about our young backline. In some games this season we haven’t had that composure going into the final moments. I felt we had real clarity within the gameplan and when we had opportunities, especially when the Ospreys went down to 13 men, we were clinical and clear how we wanted to play and move the ball.”
Do you feel you have momentum for not just this European game, but your challenge for the top eight?
DP: “The reality for us is that last Saturday was a must-win at home and to get the bonus point puts us in 11th in the table, three points off the play-off. Yes, we have four difficult games left, but we are in the fight. A lot of the top sides are playing each other so will take points off each other so there is a lot to play for. We are in the fight and that is all we can ask for. There have been occasions this season when you look back we could have picked up points and we could be higher in the league, but we are fighting at the end and that is where we wanted to be.”
How do you expect the Ospreys to react?
DP “We realise it will be a different challenge. It takes me back to the old December double headers in the Heineken Cup. Momentum is important and we need to carry that final sixty minutes into this game. Ospreys will be pumped for it, we need to make sure from an emotional point of view we are right there and then we can play our game on the back of that.”
Do you expect them to make changes?
DP: “They will have options this week I am sure. They have good quality players who weren’t available last weekend and I am sure we will see some changes. For ourselves, the gameplan and the way we approach the game will be the same whoever they put on the park.”
Do you have an injury update on Sam Costelow and Johnny Williams?
DP: “Sam is in training, it is frustrating because the bone hasn’t quite healed to put him on the field so that is a waiting game. Johnny is nursing a calf issue and we expect him back in a couple of weeks. Tom Rogers will be returning in the next couple of games, his cast is off and he’s running.”