European Challenge Cup: Ospreys in 'survival mode' for South Africa trip - Toby Booth
- Published
Ospreys have won two out of their three European matches this season
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth says his injury-hit side are in survival mode as they prepare to travel to South Africa for their final European Challenge Cup game against Lions next Sunday.
Ospreys sealed their last-16 place with a 25-3 win against Perpignan.
The region also saw their injury total rise to above 20 players with Dewi Lake suffering a hamstring problem.
Ospreys make the long trip to Johannesburg on Tuesday for one game before returning on Sunday evening.
"There will be some spaces on the plane, that's for sure," said Booth.
"The good thing is we got the result against Perpignan and managed to qualify so that can shape the thinking a bit and it is not needs must.
"We can take it as a one-off and see where it takes us rather than being a must-win game. It is a 13th game in a massive block after a long pre-season."
Any Ospreys players in the South Africa travelling party who are chosen by Wales head coach Warren Gatland for his Six Nations squad will not arrive back on Welsh soil until Monday morning, the day the national squad meet up.
The Ospreys' injury list before Perpignan included Max Nagy, Luke Morgan, Alex Cuthbert, Toby Fricker, Dom Morris, Owen Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Nicky Smith, Rhys Henry, Rhys Davies, Will Griffiths, Huw Sutton, Tristan Davies, Justin Tipuric, Jac Morgan, Morgan Morris and Harri Deaves.
Centre George North was ruled out just before the match through illness, while Lake, lock James Fender and prop Garyn Phillips were forced off injured.
Hooker Lake had already been been forced into starting in an emergency flanker role because of six back-row injuries.
Ospreys have a four-week break without games after next weekend because of the start of the Six Nations.
Booth feels his side are facing an unprecedented situation at a time when regions are being forced to operate with smaller squads because of the lack of funding.
"I have not come across this volume [of injured players] before at the same time," said Booth.
"What hurts any squad is injuries in the same position. It started off with the back five, where we have been absolutely decimated, and we have also picked up some front-row ones against Perpignan.
"We now have an injured XV plus a [replacements'] bench so that's far from ideal, especially when you have smaller squads and less resources.
"It provides opportunities but we are probably past that now and in survival mode.
"We have one more week to go where we will dust ourselves off, recover and go to the well one more time and we will see where it gets us."
Despite the challenges, Booth insists his side hope for success in the Challenge Cup when the knockout stages of Europe's second-tier tournament begin in April.
"There are only so many things to put your hands up for and, with a young group who have not experienced many successes at this level, it is important to cherish every success you can," said Booth.
"We have won four or five in a row which is great but if you can get something tangible at the end of it, nothing reinforces what you are doing more than actually winning something.
"We understand the United Rugby Championship is a very tough competition and there are a load of dice that are not in our favour, but we will swing from the fence, try and find a way and see what happens.
"Cup competitions are one-offs and you saw in Europe last year in the Champions Cup, nobody would think we would beat the English and French champions and then go to Saracens and give them a run for their money.
"I appreciate this team is different but we also want to give people something to cheer about and enjoy.
"If we can get something to celebrate with all of our people, we will go for it."