The Ospreys team to play Zebre at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Friday 10th February 2017, KO 8.00pm (Local), is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Ben John
13 Kieron Fonotia
12 Ashley Beck
11 Dafydd Howells
10 Luke Price
9 Tom Habberfield (Capt)
1 Paul James
2 Sam Parry
3 Rhodri Jones
4 Adam Beard
5 Lloyd Ashley
6 Tyler Ardron
7 Sam Underhill
8 Dan Baker
REPLACEMENTS
16 Hugh Gustafson
17 Gareth Thomas
18 Daniel Suter
19 Rory Thornton
20 Olly Cracknell
21 Matthew Aubrey
22 Hanno Dirksen
23 Jonathan Spratt
Luke Price makes his first PRO12 start
Matthew Aubrey will make his PRO12 debut if he comes off the bench
14 players were unavailable for selection due to international duty with senior, U20 and 7s squads:
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Dmitri Arhip – Shoulder
Bradley Davies – Knee
Ma’afu Fia – Ankle
Keelan Giles – Hamstring
Tom Grabham – Knee
Jeff Hassler – Achilles
Rowan Jenkins - Bicep
Brendon Leonard - Hamstring
Dan Lydiate – Knee
Josh Matavesi – Shoulder
Rob McCusker – Ankle
Scott Otten – Knee
Eli Walker – Back
Owen Watkin – Knee
Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:
“Six Nations time is always an important period for us, without fail, and this year is no different. We’ve put ourselves in a pretty decent position and we can’t let that slip while the internationals are away. Yes, we have players missing and the injury list is growing but we can’t use it as an excuse. Everybody in the squad has to front up. That’s the Ospreys way.
“This time of the year is always a great opportunity for players to come in and show what they are about and we’ll be looking at some of the boys in this group to see how they take their chance. We know what’s at stake, if we can get the performance level where it needs to be over the next four weeks, it can really set us up for an exciting end of season.
“Zebre will be difficult, they always are at their place. They’ll be physical, forward oriented, and it’s going to be a real test. It’s a short turnaround from Sunday but we want to capitalise on some of the momentum we’ve built up in the Anglo-Welsh over the last couple of weeks. The core of that squad will feature heavily, on Friday night and over the next few weeks, and we’ve brought in a core of experience that’ll be a bit fresher after some time away from the front lin.
“It’s an exciting mix if I’m honest. There’s a real enthusiasm around the group at the moment, training has had an edge to it. Everyone knows what the standard is that is expected of them over this period and can’t wait to get going.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Sat 18 Feb – 5.15pm – Ospreys v Munster – Liberty Stadium – PRO12
Sun 26 Feb – 1.05pm – Ospreys v Glasgow – Liberty Stadium – PRO12
Fri 3 Mar – 7.35pm – Edinburgh v Ospreys – Myreside – PRO12
