Ospreys off and running against Biarritz

Seven penalties: Dan Biggar

Related links

Teams

• Ospreys

PRO12 leaders the Ospreys got their new Heineken Cup campaign off to a victorious start as they saw off Biarritz 28-21 at Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

Dan Biggar was the hero with seven penalties and a conversion, with Biarritz's response being two tries from former England wing Iain Balshaw.

The French almost snatched a draw at the death but but English referee Andrew Small spotted a forward pass. Biarritz were convinced it was an Ospreys hand that had knocked the ball forward but official Small had already made his decision.

But Biggar was the hero with his 23 points earning him the man-of-the-match award.

France international Damien Traille had given the visitors the lead with an early drop-goal but Biggar struck back with two of his seven penalties, five more were sent over by the Welshman after the interval, with Irish wing Tommy Bowe crossing.

Balshaw's brace brought the French within touching distance and they ultimately left Liberty Stadium with a losing bonus-point after their surge. Ospreys now go to Italy to face Treviso.

For Ospreys:
Try: Bowe
Con: Biggar
Pen: Biggar 7

For Biarritz:
Try: Balshaw 2
Con: Bosch
Pen: Bosch 2
Drop: Traille

Ospreys: 15 Richard Fussell, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Jonathan Thomas, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 George Stowers, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Duncan Jones.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Ryan Jones, 20 Joe Bearman, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Matthew Morgan, 23 Sonny Parker.

Biarritz: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Taku Ngwenya, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Damien Traille, 11 Iain Balshaw, 10 Julien Peyrelongue, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Raphael Lakafia, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 6 Benoit Guyot, 5 Erik Lund, 4 Jérôme Thion, 3 Sylvain Marconnet, 2 Benoit August, 1 Fabien Barcella.
Replacements: 16 Arnaud Heguy, 17 Yvan Watremez, 18 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 19 Pelu Taele, 20 Florian Faure, 21 Romain Terrain, 22 Benoît Baby, 23 Ilikena Bolakoro.

Referee: Andrew Small (England)