Alun Wyn Jones has declared the Ospreys “reasonably satisfied” after they romped to a nine try victory over Grenoble at the Stade des Alpes on Friday night.
They made it 15 points from three Challenge Cup matches this season with a third bonus point win in as many games, after Thursday’s late postponement and the French club’s struggles to get the pitch playable failed to derail the region’s strong start to their European Rugby Challenge Cup campaign.
“We can be relatively satisfied with the performance and the outcome” was the skipper’s considered verdict back at the team hotel a couple of hours post-match.
“It’s been a frustrating few days, not just for us but for the supporters who had travelled over to watch us as well, some were able to dig in and stay over but others had to miss this and go home.
“We realised the team we were facing, or weren’t facing if you like from a Grenoble set-up, we had to go out and do a job in potentially difficult circumstances. We were aware that we couldn’t make it an excuse. We needed to get the job done and get the result, which we did.
“There are areas we are unsatisfied with but, ultimately, we went out and did the job and we are going home with what we wanted from the trip out here.”
Reflecting on the events of the trip, Jones was clearly pleased by the level of professionalism shown by the traveling party.
“I can’t emphasise enough that we aren’t in the business of making excuses” he underlined.
“As a group, it’s fair to say we were a bit on edge really because of all the uncertainty. As professionals, this is where we have to earn our money because we had to stand up and be ready when the call came, and the boys were.
“Yes, we were frustrated, but we went out there, we problem solved, from not playing to playing, the in-game stuff we had to deal with, and we can be pleased with the attitude and the result we are leaving with.”
Attention now turns to next weekend and the return leg of the European double header, when Grenoble visit the Liberty Stadium, before the small matter of a third v fourth Welsh derby over Christmas.
Jones was clear on his intentions for the final two games of the calendar year:
“We’ve lost a day, maybe two because of travel, in terms of recovery and what the plan was, because of circumstances out here, so a bit of management will have to go in terms of preparation for next week.
“We’re in a good place looking forward to the next couple of games and we want to finish off 2016 positively. All credit to the fans who were here this week, giving their support, and we are looking forward to seeing them all back at the Liberty.
“There’s a couple of big home games coming up and we are looking forward to going back to play at a place we are proud to call home in front of people we are proud to represent.”