Ahead of the Ospreys Guinness PRO14 clash against Zebre, last week’s Guinness Player of the Match, Adam Beard, gave us his view from camp:
“We’ve spoken as a group and we know that it’s massive for us to get another win on the road. You look at our results since we’ve come back after the lockdown and we have a good performance, then we back it up with a loss. It’s important for us all that we celebrate our victories but then get straight back into it the week after and get another solid performance in the bag. We haven’t done that in a long time as a side, so our focus this week is getting nothing else but a win out in Italy.”
As well as looking for their second away win of the season, the region will play their first Monday night fixture when they take to the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi field.
“It is a new thing for us playing on a Monday night and something we haven’t tasted before but one we’re looking forward to. We want to get the win on the road and we know Zebre is no easy place to go. Teams have a difficult time out there. They play an expansive game so we know we have to put the pressure on them, do the best at our jobs and get the win on Monday night.”
A key figure in the Ospreys pack, which has gained a 100% success rate in the scrum this season, the second-row is looking to step up and help the youngsters coming through in his footsteps:
“I still see myself as a youngster, but for my age I think i’ve done a lot in the game already and it’s something I’m very proud of. I’m trying to step up with my leadership skills now being back at the Ospreys and enjoying getting a good run of games.
“I try and do my little bits in and around training with the likes of Will Griff and Rhys Davies to help them out. You look at the second rows in the club and we’ve got a lot of experienced players here that help each other out and we’re lucky to have that."
Outside of rugby, Beard and his fiancée Chelsea welcomed baby Zac to the world during the first lockdown, which has given the second-row a new outlook on life:
“Becoming a Dad is definitely the best job in the world and one I’m loving at the minute. He gives you something else to look forward to coming home to at the end of a day’s training and rugby’s no longer the sole factor in your life. It’s great to have that balance and good for taking my mind off rugby. Obviously you can’t really relax with a six-month old keeping you on your toes but he really puts things into perspective.”
