Ospreys v Lyon Rugby
EPCR Challenge Cup
Swansea.com Stadium
12th April 2025
A first Challenge Cup quarter final at the Swansea.com Stadium, but it wasn't to be for a gutsy Ospreys team. Lyon were defensively sound and, at two tries and two penalties a piece, it came down to the finest of margins.
The early exchanges were mostly made up of a kicking battle, with both teams vying for field position in the opening five minutes.
The first score of the game went to Lyon. After a lineout steal, they were able to break quickly down the right and Rattez finished nicely. Berdeu converted. Ospreys 0 - 7 Lyon.
After an extended spell of Ospreys pressure in the Lyon 22, the French outfit gave away multiple penalties in succession. With one of them in front of the sticks, Dan Eds knocked the ball through to make the score and get us on the board. Ospreys 3 - 7 Lyon.
Lyon answered right back, with Berdeu knocking over a kick to extend their lead back to 7. With 20 minutes played, it was a tight contest and both teams were testing the defences. Ospreys 3 - 10 Lyon.
Ospreys were dominant in the scrum, winning multiple penalties against a Lyon front row that had no answer.
TRY FOR OSPREYS! The pack worked a smart move off the lineout to take the ball right on the Lyon line. Captain Jac took a pick and go off the maul and powered over for the try. Dan Eds converted. Ospreys 10 - 10 Lyon.
With possession on the Ospreys 22 Lyon looked to regain their lead, but who else was there to win the crucial turnover? Jac Morgan.
Lyon did take the lead shortly after, as another Berdeu penalty gave them a slender 3 point advantage. Ospreys 10 - 13 Lyon.
With the clock nearing red and Lyon struggling on their own line, the Ospreys pack were asking questions with some relentless carries. Lyon were given a warning for repeated infringements, but the away side were just able to hold on and force a turnover to take us to half time.
HALF TIME: Ospreys 10 - 13 Lyon.
With the teams out for the second half the boys continued on the front foot, winning the battle for territory and possession. An organised Lyon defence meant that the visitors were able to hold onto their lead with five minutes gone in the second half.
Despite the Ospreys having the better start to the second half, Lyon scored the first try after a solid set of carries from their pack on the Ospreys line. Berdeu converted. Ospreys 10 - 20 Lyon.
The right boot of Dan Eds soon brought it back to a one score game, knocking a penalty through the sticks. Ospreys 13 - 20 Lyon.
The next opportunity went to Lyon with a maul on the Ospreys five. But, after huge pressure from the Ospreys defence, the ball was dropped at the back and the Ospreys pack were able to win a penalty from the resulting scrum.
It looked like the Ospreys were about to level the scores after some relentless carrying from the forwards, but Lyon were able to hold up the ball and clear their lines. A word for the Ospreys replacements in the pack, who held strong and continued the good work of their counterparts from the front half.
TRY FOR THE OSPREYS! The boys went to the reliable rolling maul which cut through the Lyon pack and George McGuigan was able to get the ball down for his first Ospreys try. Conversion missed. Ospreys 18 - 20 Lyon.
There were just two points in it with eight minutes to go. Possession was with Ospreys, but the Lyon defensive effort was huge as their forward pack held the line time and time again.
Lyon regained possession and were camped in the Ospreys 22 and it was our turn to show our defensive prowess as we held them up over the line. But, Rhys Davies was the casualty of a huge effort as he went off injured. With all our replacements on the field, we dropped to 14 men for the final passage of play.
The man advantage proved too much and Ospreys couldn't find the overlap in the attacking line. A final penalty for Lyon went to the corner, and after recovering possession they put the ball into touch to the end game.
It was a huge effort from the boys against a clinical French defence. Our Challenge Cup journey comes to an end after our second year into the knockouts.
Thank you to all the supporters who've turned out to cheer on your Ospreys team during this European campaign. Now, our attention turns back to the final rounds of the URC where we're still in the Race to the Eight.
Next, Judgement Day awaits. Get your tickets for a clash in capital now.
