Adam Jones: Wary of Leicester
Ospreys prop Adam Jones has called for drastic improvement from his side ahead of Sunday's Heineken Cup tie with Leicester at the Liberty Stadium.
The Welsh region struggled to an unconvincing 16-15 PRO12 victory over Italian strugglers Zebre last weekend.
The Wales fornt-rower has told his team-mates that they cannot put in a similar performance against the Tigers who have won the Heineken Cup on two occasions.
"It's obviously a big step up against Leicester," he told the South Wales Evening Post.
"As a pack, we've got to raise our game.
"We've been pretty good recently. We were good against Toulouse and we know when we're up there we can match anyone.
"We're going to get stuffed if we turn up like we did on Friday."
There's plenty at stake in the upcoming clash with Pool two leaders Leicester, who are five points ahead of the Ospreys who are third on the table.
In recent years a tempestuous rivalry has developed between the Ospreys and Leicester with several fiery clashes in European and Anglo-Welsh competitions taking place.
"I don't really know how it came about," added Jones.
'We haven't been a region that long but I think it was when we played them in 2005 - it was one hell of a game (Leicester won 17-15 at the Liberty).
"I think (Dan) Hipkiss scored in the last minute.
"There's no love lost. We know what a good side they are. We were disappointed with our last ten minutes when we lost up at Welford Road this season.
"You've got to raise your game. It's one hell of a side, with a hell of a forward pack.
"Anyone who can bring on (Argentina prop Marcos) Ayerza and Castro (Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni) is going to be a challenge."
Comments
melkdave says...
One thing is for certain ,if Ospreys dont put in an improved performance .They will be thrashed ,Flood or no Flood.its as simply as that.The last game against Zebres was just not good enough ,by any standard.Let alone by a team who thinkof themseves as the best in Wales and are the present Pro12 champions.Saying that i do think Ospreys will play better this weekend,,couldnt play any worse imo
Posted 16:02 07th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
With Flood possibly banned and Leicester not exactly firing on all cylinders, now is deffinatley a good time for the Ospreys to talk about revenge...
I remember Munster getting all "fired up" when they played Leicester 2003. Dispite Tigers playing awfully that season and Dean Richards getting the sack because of it. I guess its always easy to talk it up when the opposition are struggling along in 2nd gear like leicester are at present.
Posted 13:49 07th January 2013