Ospreys are improving every season - Booth
The Rugby Paper|August 25, 2024
TOBY Booth has his eyes on a prize for his ever-improving Ospreys this season and if he achieves his ambitious goal it will scratch an itch that has been with him for almost 20 years.
ROB COLE
Ospreys are improving every season - Booth

Twice before in his coaching career Booth has been involved with teams that have reached what is now the EPCR Challenge Cup final. On both occasions his side fell short.

The first time was when he was at London Irish in 2006, when the Exiles lost 36-34 in extra-time to Gloucester at the Twickenham Stoop.

The second time was at Bath, when the West Countrymen went down 30-16 to Northampton Saints at Cardiff Arms Park in 2014.

Stadium Could it be third time lucky with the Ospreys this season? With the final being played at the Principality there is certainly huge incentive for the best of the four Welsh regions.

"We reached the knockout stages in a European competition for the first time since 2010 last season by reaching the quarter-finals before losing at Gloucester," said Booth.

"That came on the back of doing the double over French champions Montpellier in the Champions Cup and beating English champions Leicester Tigers at Welford Road the previous season.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE RUGBY PAPERView all
Edwards gives Gatland a little to think about
The Rugby Paper

Edwards gives Gatland a little to think about

A TERRIFIC effort from Ospreys should have seen victory and it was rough justice that high-flying Cardiff escaped with an undeserved draw.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Cowan-Dickie: I'm back and buzzing
The Rugby Paper

Cowan-Dickie: I'm back and buzzing

LUKE Cowan-Dickie's journey back to the pinnacle of rugby is nothing short of extraordinary.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Clow keeps Rams in touch at the top
The Rugby Paper

Clow keeps Rams in touch at the top

RAMS inward approach is paying dividends with the club involved in another title race thanks in part to free scoring flyer Zachary Clow.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Powell powers over to take Quins home
The Rugby Paper

Powell powers over to take Quins home

PLAYMAKER Kayleigh Powell powered past four defenders to score the eighth Harlequins try and narrowly edge out a spirited Trailfinders side to secure a late comeback win in a 15-try derby thriller.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Hathaway can follow Zam Skivington
The Rugby Paper

Hathaway can follow Zam Skivington

GEORGE Skivington has backed Josh Hathaway to continue to go from strength to strength as the young winger attempts to follow in the slipstream of Louis Rees-Zammit and be a big hit for club and country.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Hybrid Hash will tie Borthwick in knots
The Rugby Paper

Hybrid Hash will tie Borthwick in knots

THE description 'Hybrid Central Contracts' does not inspire confidence. Hybrid usually means a bit of this, and a bit of that — and 'Hybrid Hash' would be a more apt term for the RFU contracts given to 17 England players just before the autumn series slump.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Quins leave it late to power past Falcons
The Rugby Paper

Quins leave it late to power past Falcons

MARCUS Smith showed his class on Friday night, being an imperious creator and finisher as Harlequins romped to an emphatic five-try victory on Tyneside.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 05, 2025
We need to see a complete shake-up
The Rugby Paper

We need to see a complete shake-up

A NEW year and change is on the way across many aspects of the game, not least with the possibility of an SGM creating a complete change at the RFU.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Cool McBryde steals it for RGC
The Rugby Paper

Cool McBryde steals it for RGC

BILLY McBryde held his nerve to land a last kick of the match conversion to snatch a stunning 4139 win for RGC over leaders Ebbw Vale at Parc Eirias.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Century of highs for La Rochelle
The Rugby Paper

Century of highs for La Rochelle

AN IMPRESSIVE milestone at Stade Marcel Deflandre was reached last night, where La Rochelle hosted their 100th sell-out match in a row – either side of the period of pandemic restrictions – a run stretching back to January 2, 2016.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 05, 2025