Ospreys Team V Ulster

The Ospreys team to face Ulster at Ravenhill in the Magners League Friday 22nd September kick off at 7.30pm, will be the following: -

The Ospreys team to face Ulster at Ravenhill in the Magners League -- Friday 22nd September -- kick off at 7.30pm, will be the following: -

15 Stefan Terblanche

14 Nikki Walker                        

13 Sonny Parker

12 Gavin Henson                       

11 Shane Williams                    

10 James Hook                         

9 Justin Marshall             

8 Ryan Jones                           

7 Lee Beach                             

6 Jonathan Thomas          

5 Ian Evans                              

4 Brent Cockbain                      

3 Adam Jones                 

2 Barry Williams                       

1 Duncan Jones (Capt)      

Replacements

16 Ed Shervington                     

17 Paul James                          

18 Alun Wyn Jones           

19 Richard Pugh                       

20 Martin Roberts                     

21 Andrew Bishop             

22 Lee Byrne

Comment from Head Coach, Lyn Jones:

“It was disappointing to have sustained a number of quite serious injuries over a tough week and to have only won two out of the three fixtures, but that said we are now in stronger shape going back to Ireland than we were two weeks ago.  We always look forward to the challenge at Ravenhill as it is consistently the best venue to play Magners League rugby”

“Ulster Rugby offer everyone an intense match on their home turf, and with their side vocally backed up by 10,000 vociferous supporters it is an inspiring environment and no place for the weak at heart.  It will be a refreshing change to turn up for a game of rugby without being viewed as favourites.  Each game we have played so far has been a tight affair, showing the improvement in our league since its creation only 3 years ago.  We expect no different on Friday night against the champions in Belfast”



Injury and squad availability news

We have eight players not available for selection

Huw Bennett has torn stomach muscles against the Blues and will be out for 2/ 3 weeks

Filo Tiatia is out for another three weeks with a broken hand sustained against Connacht

Andy Lloyd strained his medial ligament against Borders and will be out for 6/ 8 weeks

Richard Hibbard will be out for 5/ 6 months as a core shoulder instability sustained against Borders requires a shoulder reconstruction

Four players will not be available until 2007 – Matthew Jones (knee), Tim Evans (knee), Craig Mitchell (knee) and David Bishop (knee)

September Fixtures

Ulster v Ospreys – Ravenhill – Friday 22nd September – kick off at 7.30pm

Ospreys v Gloucester – Liberty Stadium – Friday 29th September – kick off at 7.10pm