The Ospreys team to play Cardiff Blues at Principality Stadium on Saturday 30th April 2016, KO 2.30pm, is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Jonathan Spratt
12 Owen Watkin
11 Ben John
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb (Capt)
1 Nicky Smith
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Adam Beard
5 Rynier Bernardo
6 Olly Cracknell
7 James King
8 Dan Lydiate
REPLACEMENTS
16 Sam Parry
17 Gareth Thomas
18 Aaron Jarvis
19 Rory Thornton
20 Sam Underhill
21 Brendon Leonard
22 Sam Davies
23 Josh Matavesi
Josh Matavesi will make his 50th Ospreys appearance if he comes off the bench
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Tyler Ardron - Knee
Lloyd Ashley – Knee
Dan Baker - Shoulder
Ashley Beck – Knee
Gareth Delve – Ankle
JJ Engelbrecht – Ankle
Ma’afu Fia – Toe
Jeff Hassler - Shoulder
Dafydd Howells – Hamstring
Paul James - Eye
Alun Wyn Jones - Foot
Marc Thomas - Knee
Justin Tipuric – Concussion
Ospreys Head Coach, Steve Tandy, said:
“Nothing has changed for us this week, our task is the same as it has been the last couple of weeks; win these remaining games and see what happens elsewhere. We can’t simply look at the table and throw the towel in, as we learnt painfully at Exeter back in January, anything can happen even when the odds seem to be against you.
“The results in the last round have thrown the top six wide open, particularly when all the teams involved are playing against each other this weekend and next. A winning performance on Saturday will see us moving up a couple of places and really setting up a huge afternoon at the Liberty a week later.
“There’s no doubt that it’s going to be a great occasion for regional rugby on Saturday. It’s fantastic to see a record crowd coming out to watch the four regions in action and it will no doubt be a great atmosphere.
“However, it’s important that we don’t get distracted by the occasion and everything that comes with it. We have to be 100% focussed as a team on the job in hand and while it's a special occasion for the supporters, we have to remember that we have a job to do. It won’t be enjoyable or memorable if we don’t get the right performance.
“The hope is that with such a large crowd in Cardiff on Saturday, with many who clearly aren’t season ticket holders at a region, they’ll be impressed by what they see and want more. If we get the performance right on Saturday, Ulster a week later is a massive game and we would love some of them to come to the Liberty and be part of another great occasion.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Sat 7 May – 3.00pm KO – Ospreys v Ulster – PRO12