Tom Rogers arrived at the Ospreys wanting to play in his preferred position of full-back and he has provided immediate evidence of just what he can do there.
Making his first start in the role following his move from the Scarlets, he produced an outstanding Player of the Match display in the 38-31 bonus point victory over the Dragons at Rodney Parade.
The 27-year-old was a major threat with his counter-attacking from deep, making more metres than anyone else on the pitch and beating the most defenders.
He also crucially pounced on a loose ball to hack ahead and set up the situation which resulted in the decisive score from two-try No 8 Morgan Morris.
After scoring a memorable hat-trick for Wales against New Zealand from the wing last November, Rogers didn’t then start any of the next nine Test matches, with his only outing coming in the non-cap game against the Barbarians.
But with the squad for the Nations Championship being named in ten days time, he looks to be running into form right on cue.
Rogers, who spent nine years with the Scarlets, has played the bulk of his senior rugby on the wing, including the first two league games of this season.
But he feels full-back is his best position and clearly relished the opportunity to play a key role from there in the Rodney Parade victory.
“It was a tough game,” he said. “We knew the Dragons were going to be a tough opposition, but we stuck to our process and I am so proud of the boys.”
Praising Rogers’ performance at No 15, Ospreys coach Mark Jones said: “He has made a great start in the position.
“He staked a good claim around his qualities. I thought he did a great job. I’m proud of him.
“I really love the way he beat the first man nearly every time and got us on the front foot.
“He did a great job around bringing back loose kicks and getting us into their half.
“I thought his decision making of when to bring it back and when to kick it was spot on and I loved the way he worked in the back field, around filling space.
“I’m just pleased for him. He’s come to a new club. It’s always difficult to settle in, but the boys love him.”
Commenting on his team’s first victory of the season, two-try Ospreys skipper Sam Parry said: “It was a proper traditional derby, back and fore, but we were very happy to come away with the win.
“Obviously the Dragons are on a high and everyone is happy with the progress they are making, so we knew we had to come here with a point to prove and put in a big performance, which I’m glad we did.”
Parry’s opposite number Elliot Dee also claimed a try double, with the two hookers delivering four of the game’s six touchdowns off driving lineouts.
Reflecting on a fluctuating contest which the Dragons led four times, Dee said: “The boys are really gutted. It’s sickening. I think that was a game we could have won.
“There were chances for both teams to pull away and, fair play to the Ospreys, that’s what they did.”
Welsh international Dee is now the leading try scorer in the BKT URC this season with five - all of them coming from lineout mauls.
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