EDF Energy Anglo-Welsh Cup Final - Ospreys v Leicester (Sun 2:30 ko)

[2hcb]

Although this is rugby's equivilant of the carling cup, there is a bit of a grudge between these 2 sides resulting from their heineken cup clashes last year (both won by leicester) with accusations from both sides about cheating and foul play. Leicester are the best side in England right now and Ospreys can claim to be so in Wales (although Llanelli may have something to say) so this game should be a cracker. Leicester: Sam Vesty; Tom Varndell, Dan Hipkiss, Daryl Gibson, Alesana Tuilagi; Paul Burke, Harry Ellis; Martin Castrogiovanni, George Chuter, Julian White, Leo Cullen, Ben Kay, Tom Croft, Shane Jennings, Martin Corry (capt). Replacements: Gavin Hickie, Alex Moreno, Louis Deacon, Brett Deacon, Frank Murphy, Andy Goode, Geordan Murphy. Ospreys: Lee Byrne; Shane Williams, Sonny Parker, Andrew Bishop, Nikki Walker; James Hook, Justin Marshall; Duncan Jones (capt), Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Brent Cockbain, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Filo Tiatia. Replacements: Barry Williams, Paul James, Mike Powell, Richard Pugh, Jason Spice, Shaun Connor, Stefan Terblanche

[Cymro]

Re: EDF Energy Anglo-Welsh Cup Final - Ospreys v Leicester (Sun 2:30 ko) Although Leicester are the "one nil to the Arsenal" of modern day rugby I really think the Ospreys have a good chance here. Looking at the backs outside scrum half Leicester have nothing (Paul Burke, a great player for Cardiff, is past it alas) and the O's can cause real damage with the likes of Hook, Walker and Williams. I watched Leicester in the semis against Sale and they were dreadful; the only tries coming from Tuilagi who, if he wasn't marked already, will be kep under wraps this weekend. I look at the two packs and the Ospreys have so much more dymanism it's untrue, even if the Leicester eight get advantage in the scrums I expect the O's to be much more prominent in the ball carrying stakes. As a result I am going 5pts Ospreys to beat Leicester @ 6/4 (Bet365)