Ospreys European dream ended by Lyon

European Challenge Cup

Ospreys (10) 18

Tries: Morgan, McGuigan Cons: Edwards Pens: Edwards 3

Lyon (13) 20

Tries: Rattez, Guillard Cons: Berdeu 2 Pens: Berdeu 2

Welsh interest in European competition this season ended in Swansea with Ospreys defeated by Lyon in the Challenge Cup quarter-final.

Tries from wing Vincent Rattez and replacement lock Mickael Guillard and 10 points from the boot of Leo Berdeu set up the victory.

Ospreys and Wales captain Jac Morgan and replacement hooker George McGuigan scored tries for the hosts.

Fly-half Dan Edwards kicked eight points but his late conversion agonisingly hit the post, which would have levelled the scores.

In front of a crowd of 3,723, the home side dominated territory and possession with Morgan outstanding, and Lyon making 212 tackles compared to 84 from Ospreys.

Lyon's forward replacements made an impressive impact with Guillard named player of the match despite only being on the field for 40 minutes.

The home side also will be left to rue some decisions they made and accuracy of their attack.

Lyon will face Connacht or Racing 92 in the semi-final, while there will be no Welsh involvement in the two European finals in late May which are being held at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.

Welsh rugby had been hoping for a good news story following the latest saga in the soap opera with Cardiff being taken over by the Welsh Rugby Union this week after the side temporarily fell into administration. It was not to be.

Ospreys were again seeking a place in the last four, just a year after winning a knock-out game in Europe for the first time when they overcame Sale in the last 16 before being defeat by Gloucester in the quarter-final.

But they ended up bowing out at the same stage again.

Ospreys made one change from the team that beat Scarlets in the last 16 with Wales scrum-half Kieran Hardy starting and Reuben Morgan-Williams dropping to the replacements bench.

The French side made made nine changes from the team that beat Sharks, with seven of those starting alterations coming in the forward pack.

Lyon, currently seventh in France's Top14 league, were missing star backs Semi Radradra and Davit Niniashvili.

After a cagey start, Ospreys lost a line-out with Lyon taking advantage by creating the overlap with Rattez scoring.

Ospreys had the disappointing sight of flanker Justin Tipuric leaving the field with lock James Fender coming on and Rhys Davies switching to the back row.

Ospreys settled into the match and reduced the deficit briefly with an Edwards penalty before Berdeu slotted over a successful kick.

The hosts gained their reward with a well-worked try for captain Morgan with Edwards' conversion levelling the scores.

Ospreys were dominating the scrum and had a penalty under the posts but made a baffling decision to go for a line-out just before half-time

The decision backfired as Lyon turned the ball over to lead 13-10 at half-time.

Lyon made five replacement alterations at half-time with four changes coming in the forwards after the dominant Ospreys scrum.

The introduction allowed Lyon to gain a scrum penalty which laid the platform for the remarkable replacement Guillard to power over.

Edwards brought the hosts to within seven points with his second penalty before the Ospreys launched a ferocious attacking onslaught which was eventually held up over the Lyon line.

Ospreys continued to attack, sometimes turning down kicks at goal, and gained some reward from a well-worked driving maul with McGuigan diving over.

Edwards' conversion agonisingly hit the post which would have levelled the scores.

Lyon looked to close out the victory but an excellent turnover from Morgan kept Ospreys in the game.

Ospreys finished the game with 14 men because lock Davies was forced off the field injured and the home side had used all their replacements.

It was to prove a step too far for Mark Jones' side. It was an emotive ending with a member of the Lyon coaching staff kicking a flag out of the ground in frustration before players squared up at the final whistle.

It was Lyon left to celebrate with Ospreys left to reflect on what might have been.

Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Dan Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Keiran Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Tom Botha, Rhys Davies, Adam Beard, Jac Morgan (capt), Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris.

Replacements: George McGuigan, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, James Fender, Morgan Morse, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Owen Williams, Iestyn Hopkins.

Lyon: Alexandre Tchaptchet; Vincent Rattez, Josiah Maraku, Theo Millet, Ethan Dumortier; Leo Berdeu, Charlie Cassang; Wayan De Benedittis, Sam Matavesi, Hamza Kaabeche, Felix Lambey (capt), Alban Roussel, Steeve Blanc-Mappaz, Beka Shvangiradze, Maxime Gouzou.

Replacements: Guillaume Marchand, Sebastien Taofifenua, Valentin Simutoga, Mickael Guillard, Theo William, Dylan Cretin, Baptiste Couilloud, Alfred Parisien.

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Assistant referees: Peter Martin & Andrew Cole (IRFU)

TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU).