COVENTRY V OSPREYS
PRE-SEASON FIXTURE
NICK NEWBOLD STADIUM
4th september 2026
Ospreys try scorers: Harri Houston, Tom Rogers, Ross Moriarty, Liam Wright, Lewis Lloyd, Efan Daniel, Keelan Giles, Morgan Morris.
Conversions: Lawson Creighton (4), Harri Wilde (2)
Ospreys scored eight tries in an exciting first showing of pre-season at the Nick Newbold Stadium in Coventry.
Fielding two squads across the game, including a mixture of new signings, age-grade graduates, and experienced Ospreys, the boys had the chance to test a number of combinations.
The hosts scored two well taken tries in the first half, but a dominant performance from the Ospreys held them out for the remainder of the game.
Mark Jones' first XV was led by a strong back row which was immediately evident in co-captain James Ratti's marshalling of the defensive line. Ospreys asserted dominance in the opening stages, with a cover tackle by Iestyn Hopkins a first quarter highlight.
Coventry struggled to contain the Ospreys running threat and great service by Luke Davies put several key players into space. Harri Houston had a lively performance and was the first to cross the whitewash.
Further tries in the first half went to Tom Rogers, who finished a beautiful break from Cam Jones, and Ross Moriarty, who barged over from the maul.
Lawson Creighton looked assured at ten, marshalling the game well and landing all three conversions.
Coventry's two tries both came from the counter attack, one a screaming interception to go the length, and the other a sharp move from the backs to get it out wide.
It's a credit to the Ospreys defence that the outside channels were shut down after the second break, and Coventry failed to cross the white wash again.
HALF TIME: COVENTRY 12 - OSPREYS 21.
Mark Jones rang the changes at half time, though it wasn't a straight 15-for-15 switch as some team one players stayed on for extra minutes in the boots.
After the theatrics out wide in the first half, the set piece reigned supreme in the second as the Ospreys forwards took control. Of five tries, four came from pack.
Honours went to Liam Wright for his first try in Ospreys colours, hookers Lewis Lloyd and Efan Daniel, and co-captain Morgan Morris. The driving maul proved too much for Coventry, and Ospreys reaped the rewards.
The fifth of the second half tries came from Keelan Giles, who grew into the half against a tiring Coventry defensive line. A mazy run on left wing saw him dive over to continue his fine form from last season.
Coventry had no answer to an organised Ospreys game plan as the visitors did well to the control the game until the very end.
Pre-season game one in the bag, with plenty of strong performances on show and lots to build on!
FULL TIME: COVENTRY 12, OSPREYS 52.
The boys go away to Ulster next weekend, then it's all eyes on the start of the season and St Helen's.
We're assembling a squad of local Welsh talent backed by huge international signings like Marika Koroibete.
And now we're waiting for you to take your place and help us Paint It Black ⤵️
