Ospreys Team To Face Worcester

The Ospreys team to face Worcester Warriors on Saturday 27th October in the EDF Energy Cup, at Sixways, kick off at 2.30pm, will be as follows:

15 Lee Byrne14 Nikki Walker13 Sonny Parker12 Gavin Henson11 Shane Williams10 James Hook
9 Justin Marshall

8 Filo Tiatia (Capt)7 Ben Lewis6 Jonathan Thomas5 Ian Evans4 Ian Gough3 Cai Griffiths
2 Huw Bennett1 Duncan Jones Replacements:16 Richard Hibbard17 Adam Jones18 Alun Wyn Jones19 Steve Tandy20 Mike Phillips21 Shaun Connor22 Andrew Bishop

Head Coach, Lyn Jones, commented as follows:

"€œAfter last years narrow loss in the final against Leicester at Twickenham both players and supporters are keen to see us make amends and go one step further this year. This is a great tournament and we hugely enjoyed last season's competition. There is always an edge when you play the English clubs that comes from both traditional rivalries and from the fact that we simply do not come up against each other that often. This lack of familiarity is exciting for us as coaches and players and it should give spectators an enjoyable and open match."€

"€œWorcester have not had the best of starts this season, losing all but one of their games, but this is not for want of trying and I am sure they will prove to be strong opposition on Saturday. Their game is organised and structured and they are well coached, as you would expect with Mike and Clive at the helm. They will be disappointed to have lost games by the odd score and we know that we will have to be at our best to get what we want out of the game."€

Injury and squad availability news

The following players are unavailable for selection due to injury:

Gareth Owen (illness) will be available to face London Irish next weekend

Andy Lloyd (shoulder strain) will be out for another two weeks

David Bishop (knee) will return next month

Ryan Jones (shoulder) is progressing well with his rehabilitation programme but is unlikely to play before the end of 2007

Fixture News

Upcoming fixtures are as follows:

Saturday 27th October "€" EDF Energy Cup "€" Worcester Warriors v Ospreys "€" Sixways "€" 2.30pm

Sunday 4th November "€" EDF Energy Cup "€" Ospreys v London Irish "€" Liberty Stadium "€" 4.10pm

Saturday 10th November "€" Heineken Cup "€" Ospreys v Bourgoin "€" Liberty Stadium "€" 5.30pm

Friday 16th November "€" Heineken Cup "€" Gloucester Rugby v Ospreys "€" Kingsholm "€" 8.00pm

Friday 23rd November "€" Magners League "€" Ospreys v Leinster "€" Liberty Stadium "€" 7.10pm

Sunday 2nd December - EDF Energy Cup "€" Harlequins v Ospreys "€" The Stoop - 3pm