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Hibbard: Ospreys will respond

Hibbard: Ospreys will respond

Richard Hibbard insists the Ospreys can bounce back from a nightmare start to the Heineken Cup by inflicting another defeat on Northampton Saints.

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The Welsh region committed the cardinal sin of losing a home European game, against Leinster on Friday night.

They face the Saints, who also lost but to Castres Olympique, at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday and Hibbard is confident the Ospreys’ European adventure can continue.

“No side is definitely out until December, so it isn’t over for us yet,” said Hibbard.

“We can go away and get two away wins.

“We could not have made a worse start, but it’s still doable. We believe in ourselves and how good we can be.

“I’m positive and definitely think we can win at Northampton.”

But Hibbard has warned the Ospreys’ pack, that can boast up to five former British & Irish Lions, that they must step-up to the mark.

The abrasive hooker reckons the Swansea-based region did not impose themselves enough against Leinster and insists they must do so to strangle former teammate Kahn Fotuali’i and George North of ball.

“They’ve been strong in the Premiership so far and a good pack, with George and Kahn behind, so it could be an even tougher day in the office,” said Hibbard.

“We will not be able to play as we did against Leinster if we are to get anything.

“Hopefully, we’ll take their platform away and Kahn and Big George won’t get much ball. So we need to step up at forward.

We are a senior pack and we need to take things by the scruff of the neck and provide some go-forward for our backs.” 

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