Ospreys team to play Ulster

Tandy names an unchanged starting XV for tomorrow's game v Ulster at the Liberty Stadium with Dan Lydiate included among the replacements.

The Ospreys team to face Ulster at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday 20th December 2014, KO 5.15pm (UK), is as follows:

 

15 Dan Evans

14 Hanno Dirksen

13 Ashley Beck

12 Josh Matavesi

11 Eli Walker

10 Dan Biggar

9 Rhys Webb

 

1 Marc Thomas

2 Scott Baldwin

3 Dmitri Arhip

4 Rynier Bernardo

5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)

6 James King

7 Justin Tipuric

8 Tyler Ardron

 

REPLACEMENTS

 

16 Sam Parry

17 Gareth Thomas

18 Daniel Suter

19 Dan Lydiate

20 Sam Lewis

21 Martin Roberts

22 Sam Davies

23 Andrew Bishop

 

Dan Lydiate will makes his Ospreys debut if he comes on from the bench

 

The following players were unavailable for selection through injury:

 

Morgan Allen – Ankle

Dan Baker – Shoulder

Joe Bearman - Groin

Ryan Bevington – Groin

Jeff Hassler – Ligaments

Aaron Jarvis – Pectoral muscle

Duncan Jones –Ligaments

Lloyd Peers - Ligaments

Nicky Smith – Pectoral muscle

Jonathan Spratt - Knee

De Kock Steenkamp – Achilles

 

Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:

There were mixed feelings in the dressing room after the game last Saturday night. Obviously there was a huge amount of pride in the effort, character and desire that we saw for 80 minutes, mixed with a real sense of disappointment that we let a great opportunity for a famous win slip

Weve got to learn from our mistakes, and weve got to look at this block of PRO12 games over the next month to really cement our top four spot. Its really tight in the top half of the table, so back to back home games gives us an opportunity to build some momentum. To do that, weve got to step up another level this weekend in terms of accuracy and being clinical when we create opportunities. We know the pride in the jersey and the commitment levels will be there, thats a given with this group, but that accuracy and attention to detail will lead to winning performances.

This young group is learning every week and the experience they are getting will prove invaluable for their long-term development. We have a plan for where we want to go as a team, we know what we want to achieve together, and although its a long-term plan, everybody involved is pretty excited about what we are doing.

These are two tough games at the Liberty on the next two weekends and well need the supporters to be patient if its not going our way and to really get behind the team. Its a crucial time of the season and we all need to do our bit. 

Forthcoming Fixtures

Sat 27 Dec 5.15pm KO Ospreys v Scarlets Liberty Stadium PRO12

Sat 3 Jan 5.05pm KO Scarlets v Ospreys Parc y Scarlets PRO12

Sun 11 Jan 4.00pm KO Ospreys v NG Dragons Liberty Stadium PRO12