TODAY'S RUGBY NEWS AS NEW 'WORLD CLASS' WELSH KID SCORES HAT-TRICK IN ENGLAND AND OSPREYS CELEBRATE

Here are your rugby morning headlines for Sunday, 21 April.

Ospreys 'bouncing' after 'incredible achievement'

The Ospreys are celebrating after a remarkable victory over the Stormers in Cape Town that boosted their hopes of reaching the URC play-offs.

The 27-21 win at the DHL Stadium arguably goes down as the best of Toby Booth's time in charge of the Welsh region, with his side showing incredible grit to beat John Dobson's side.

Crucially, it moves them back into the top eight after wins for Ulster and the Lions this weekend, strengthening their position heading into the final four matches.

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And afterwards, naturally, some of the Ospreys' stars were delighted with what had unfolded.

"Bouncing," said try-scorer Harri Deaves afterwards. "On top of the world. We knew it was a massive challenge.

"They're no mugs. They're a quality, quality team. We knew we'd done it once before in the season. We backed ourselves again.

"We talked about belief and the boys dug in. Can't back them enough. Every single person gave everything. I'm so proud."

About what makes these sorts of results possible, Deaves added: "I think it's our off-field things We're a tightknit group and we're only going to grow stronger.

"Once you've got that bond, it only makes you want to play for each other and the badge that much more."

Man of the match Morgan Morris said: "I don't really know what to say. All the boys put in a shift. All 15 could have had this. We've come here, I don't think many teams win here so for us to do that is an incredible achievement."

On the defensive effort, the No. 8 added: "I think it's just our mindset of working for each other. Mark Jones has come in and given us a really good defensive boost.

"We want to work really hard for each other, we love playing with each other and each game, we'll fight until the end for each other."

'World class' Welsh-qualified wing crosses for hat-trick

Josh Hathaway crossed for a second-half hat-trick in Gloucester's 46-24 defeat to Saracens at StoneX Stadium.

George Skivington had rested many of his stars following their Challenge Cup win over the Ospreys last week, with Sarries too good for a Cherry and Whites side showing 11 changes.

However, Welsh-qualified wing Hathaway, who has played for Wales and England U20s, did impress - getting over for three tries after the break.

Speaking about the 20-year-old's hat-trick, Skivington said: “We challenged Josh with a couple of bits around his game for today, but when you put the ball in his hands, he’s world-class and I think he’s scored a good few tries like that.

"He’s had a good few moments and obviously he’s in the deep end today and he’s come out and had three really good moments for us.”

Hathaway's international future is set to become a talking point in the near future. Having been born in Aberystwyth, he was part of the Scarlets academy but as a student at Hartpury College he moved to the Gloucester academy. The 20-year-old utility back initially represented Wales U20s before crossing the Severn Bridge to play for England U20s.

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Leinster hammered in South Africa

The Lions handed Leinster just their third defeat of the season at Emirates Airline Park, winning in convincing fashion in a 44-12 bonus point victory.

The URC leaders had won eight in a row in all competitions before a loss that saw them concede six tries.

The Lions started fast, scoring three times in the opening quarter of an hour, before wrapping up their bonus-point in the second half.

Despite the defeat, Leinster remain top of the URC table, while the Lions improved their own chances of reaching the URC play-offs.

Bath enjoy 'best win of the season'

Bath boss Johann van Graan described his side's 26-14 bonus-point victory at Exeter as their best win of the season.

Exeter, who were captained by Wales skipper Dafydd Jenkins, had beaten Bath 21-15 in the Champions Cup at Sandy Park a fortnight ago but Van Graan's men avenged that loss with an impressive victory that sees them take a big step towards securing a Premiership play-off spot.

Alfie Barbeary, Max Ojomoh, Miles Reid and Ben Spencer scored Bath's tries to leave them in second place in the standings and director of rugby Van Graan was delighted with the performance.

He said: "It's our best win of the season as it was a terrible feeling being here two weeks ago and coming up short in a big match.

"It's a tough place to come as Exeter don't lose here. We haven't won here since 2016 so we had to put in a performance for the whole 80 minutes.

"Following the defeat here last time, we made one or two changes in selection and tactical calls.

"Being second, we are in a good position but we have to take everything week by week and give Saracens the respect they deserve ahead of next Friday's fixture but the important thing is that we are still improving."

2024-04-21T07:37:07Z dg43tfdfdgfd