Ospreys Team To Face Scarlets

The Ospreys team to face the Scarlets in the Magners League, at Stradey Park "€" Tuesday 24th April "€" kick off at 7.35pm, will be as follows: -

The Ospreys team to face the Scarlets in the Magners League, at Stradey Park -Tuesday 24th April - kick off at 7.35pm, will be as follows: -15 Lee Byrne 14 Nikki Walker 13 Sonny Parker12 Andrew Bishop 11 Shane Williams 10 James Hook
9 Jason Spice / Justin Marshall

8 Filo Tiatia 7 Richard Pugh 6 Ryan Jones / Lee Beach5 Alun Wyn Jones / Jonathan Thomas 4 Brent Cockbain / Mike Powell 3 Cai Griffiths / Andrew Millward
2 Barry Williams / Richard Hibbard 1 Duncan Jones (Capt)

Replacements:

16 Richard Hibbard / Barry Williams 17 Cai Griffiths / Andrew Millward 18 Alun Wyn Jones / Mike Powell19 Lee Beach / Tom Smith 20 Jason Spice / Martin Roberts 21 Shaun Connor
22 Stefan Terblanche

Late fitness tests will be taken by Justin Marshall (stomach bug), Brent Cockbain (hip), Jonathan Thomas (leg), Ryan Jones (shoulder), Alun Wyn Jones (ankle) and Mike Powell (calf)

Comment from Head Coach, Lyn Jones:

"We are hugely sympathetic as to the plight of the Scarlets over the weekend as we experienced much the same the week before against Leicester. It will be difficult for both teams to come back after matches such as these as our squads have been tested to the limit and will be devastated to have lost. It has been a tough week at the Ospreys following the EDF Energy Cup final and when you factor-in the Scarlets enviable home record it will take a massive effort for us to get a result at Stradey Park. Having said that the players need no motivation for fixtures like these and we will be going all-out to get the win."

"It will also take a huge effort for us to get in contention to win the Magners League, but if we maintain our focus, take each game at a time and other results go our way there is a mathematical possibility that we will be there or there about at the end of the season. Matches against the Scarlets are highlights of any season and the attacking potential they showed against Leicester suggests that supporters should be in for a cracker of a match tomorrow evening."

Injury and squad availability news

In addition to the above fitness tests seven players are unavailable for selection this week:

Andy Lloyd (concussed against Munster) and Adam Jones (ankle injury against Leicester) are hoping to be available for selection against Leinster later this month

Steve Tandy's (pectoral muscle tear), Gavin Henson (knee ligament), Ian Evans (shoulder), Lyndon Bateman (knee ligament) and David Bishop (knee) will not be available to play again this season

Remaining fixtures

Scarlets v Ospreys (Magners League) - Stradey Park - Tuesday 24th April - kick off at 7.35pm

Ospreys v Leinster (Magners League) - Liberty Stadium - Friday 27th April - kick off at 7.10pm

Glasgow v Ospreys (Magners League) - Hughenden - Friday 4th May - kick off at 7.30pm

Dragons v Ospreys (Magners League) - Rodney Parade - Tuesday 8th May, kick off at 7.35pm

Border Reivers v Ospreys (Magners League) - Netherdale - Weekend commencing Friday 11th May tbc