The Viadana-based franchise is being disbanded by the Italian Federation due to financial difficulties and they were primed to go out with a bang. They never managed to get their noses in front, but they ended with a losing bonus point.
What they also did was give Ospreys coach Steve Tandy plenty to work on this week as they prepare to entertain reigning champions Munster at the Liberty Stadium on Friday night in the first of the two semi-finals.
One thing is certain, they will have to tighten up their line-out because Aironi stole three balls in the first-half and put their visitors under considerable pressure in that phase of play. The Aironi try also came from a one of their own five metre line-outs, eventually driving No 8 Nick Williams over.
The Ospreys got off to the perfect start as they pressurized Aironi into surrendering the kick-off and four minutes later Richard Fussell crossed for a try. Naas Olivier landed a penalty three minutes later and things changed when Williams scored after 23 minutes to level the scores..
A Hano Dirksen try came just before the break and Biggar’s conversion was followed by Olivier’s second penalty to make it 15-11 at half-time.
The only points of a scrum dominated second half came from another Biggar penalty, but there will be plenty for the Ospreys coaching team to study before they face Munster.
