Welsh Rugby

  • Home
  • Rugby
  • Mark Jones Hails Ospreys Effort As They Storm Glasgow Fortress

Mark Jones Hails Ospreys Effort as They Storm Glasgow Fortress

Simon ThomasSimon Thomas3 March 2025
Ospreys coach Mark Jones: Pic: Alamy

Ospreys coach Mark Jones: Pic: Alamy

The Ospreys had gone nine years without winning in Glasgow, but Jack Walsh ended that run in style.

There was St David’s Day delight for the Ospreys as they beat Glasgow Warriors 32-31 at Scotstoun with “a rollercoaster ride” of a match taking a dramatic twist at the final turn.

It looked as though league champions Glasgow had snatched the spoils when Duncan Weir converted Nathan McBeth’s try with just 30 seconds to play.

But from the restart, with the clock having turned red, Ospreys skipper Justin Tipuric won a jackal penalty and full-back Jack Walsh kept his nerve to slot the match-winning kick from wide out on the right.

It was the Welsh side’s first win in Glasgow since 2016 and the scenes of celebration were suitably ecstatic as Walsh was mobbed by his team-mates.

Giving his thoughts, head coach Mark Jones said: “The whole game was like a rollercoaster ride.

“It was a stressful few minutes at the end, I won’t lie to you.

“For Jack to step up in that moment, under that sort of fatigue as a goal-kicker, all credit to him.

“That wasn’t a gimme there. That’s why he spends all the time he does after training. When we are all going back in for a cup of tea, he’s out there whacking them between the posts.

“I am chuffed for him and the team for the commitment they showed and that they do get a reward at the end of it.”

The visitors had raced into a 15-0 lead with three tries inside the opening quarter, only for Glasgow to peg them back as the pendulum swung back and fore.

READ MORE: Mark Jones’ Ospreys Revival Rolls On Into European Knockout Stages

There were ten tries in all, five apiece, with Ospreys scrum-half Kieran Hardy and home prop Patrick Schickerling both crossing twice ahead of the grandstand finish.

Jones added: “Glasgow are the champions, they are the best side in the competition until the final happens again.

“So we knew we would have to be at our best and we weren’t far off it, especially in the first half. We were pretty good.

“Against the best teams, there are always going to be ebbs and flows. It’s how you deal with them and I thought emotionally we were very good. We stuck in it and we managed the momentum tides.”

Reflecting on his match-winning penalty with the final kick of the game, Walsh said: “The boys put in a shift, so I just didn’t want to let them down really. As a 10/15, that’s my job.

“Glasgow are a class outfit. I can’t remember how long it is since they lost at home. So we said we had to be in it for every minute.

“It was about having the confidence to go out and express ourselves. There was no point going out there with fear. That’s what we spoke about all week.”

READ MORE: Badger Harri Is Burrowing Into His Roots For Inspiration At Ospreys

The Player of the Match award went to Ospreys centre Keiran Williams who set up a couple of tries and was the joint top carrier along with No 8 Morgan Morse (both on 14).

“As a neutral, what a fantastic game that was to watch and, from my point of view, what a fantastic game to be a part of, especially going down to the wire,” said Williams.

“I thought we had given it away at the end and that the game had gone.

“It was one of those where we had to do anything we could to get the ball back.

“Obviously Tips - what a man - did it and credit to Jack for stepping up and getting us the win.

“It doesn’t get much better than that, does it, especially in the last minute.

“Credit to us for scoring five tries at the home of the champions. I thought we did very well in our attack.

“Hopefully, we can kick on now and finish the season well.”

It was only Glasgow’s second home defeat in the league since 2021, but their coach Franco Smith wasn’t too downbeat.


“I am proud of the boys with the character they showed to claw their way back from behind,” he said.

“A win would have been even better, but there are enough positives for us to take from this that will serve this squad well.”

He added: “Well done to the Ospreys. It’s tough to come and beat us here.”

The defeat for second-placed Glasgow leaves Leinster Rugby a whopping 13 points clear at the top of the BKT URC following their six-try 42-24 victory over Cardiff Rugby at the Aviva Stadium.

As for the battle for play-off spots, it’s now more congested than ever with just nine points separating fourth and 15th in the table.

Related News

Wales U20s coach Richard Whiffin. Pic: Alamy

Wales Youngsters Now Told To Take The Scalp That Matters Most . . . England's

Harry Beddall didn't mince his words after Wales U20s lost their lastest Six Nations clash, but at least they have a chance to end their tournament on a high against England.

Rob Cole | Mar 10, 2025
Wales prop Nicky Smith. Pic: Alamy

Nicky Smith Shoved My Head Up My Backside . . . I Was Shocked Warren Gatland Ignored Him, Says Adam Jones

Nicky Smith is poised to retain his place in the Wales team to face Scotland this week after Adam Jones gave his display against Ireland a big thumbs up.

Graham Thomas | Mar 04, 2025
Sean Lynn observes Gloucester-Hartpury match - Credit Alamy

Sean Lynn Adds Wales-Based Flavour To Six Nations Squad

Sean Lynn has blended the old with the new in his first Women’s Six Nations squad and is excited to see how that mix will go.

Hannah Blackwell | Mar 04, 2025
Wales centre Ben Thomas

Ben Thomas Reckons Matt Sherratt Has Switched The Lights Back On For Wales

A fortnight is a long time in sport as Wales - and Ben Thomas- can testify as they look ahead to meeting Scotland.

Graham Thomas | Mar 01, 2025
Tuipulotu celebrates big play - Credit Alamy

French Lessons Fire Welsh Ambition For Scarlets Loan Star Carwyn Tuipulotu

There is more than one route to the top as Carwyn Tuipulotu aims to prove by playing for three clubs in three different countries this season.

Graham Thomas | Mar 01, 2025
Harri Deaves breaks past defenders - Credit Alamy

Badger Harri Is Burrowing Into His Roots For Inspiration At Ospreys

The Origin Round is a United Rugby Championship label that celebrates the people and communities that helped launch the careers of players . . . such as the Ospreys’ Harri Deaves.

Simon Thomas | Mar 01, 2025