Aironi 10 Ospreys 12:JAMES HOOK kept his nerve to land a late penalty which earned the Ospreys a dramatic victory over Aironi in Viadana and a place in the Magners League play-offs.
With the Blues slumping to defeat to the Scarlets, the Ospreys were able to claim fourth to set up a play-off clash with Munster.
The Ospreys appeared to be heading for a shock defeat in Italy after falling 10-3 down with just over half an hour to play, following a try from Aironi wing Danwel Demas and five points from the boot of Tito Tebaldi.
However, two successful strikes on goal from outhalf Dan Biggar, who had opened the scoring at the Stadio Luigi Zaffanella with a penalty, drew the visitors to within a point before Hook nicked it.
AIRONI RUGBY: San Martin; Pratichetti, Pavan, Pizarro, Demas; Marshall, Tebaldi; A De Marchi, Ferraro, Staibano, Bortolami, Geldenhuys, Furno, Sole, Krause. Replacements: Canavosio for Tebaldi (72), A De Marchi for A. De Marchi (76), Ongaro for Ferraro (41), Redolfini for Staibano (71), Biagi for Bortolami (78), Cattina for Krause (43). Not used: Toniolatti, Bocchino.
OSPREYS: Fussell; Bowe, Bishop, Hook, N Walker; Biggar, Webb; James, Hibbard, A Jones, R Jones, A Jones, Tipuric, Holah, Thomas. Replacements: Beck for Bishop (48), Isaacs for Biggar (60), Parker for Webb (70), Bevington for James (49), Smith for Tipuric (74), Gough for Holah (59).
Referee: Andy MacPherson (SRFU).
