The Ospreys team to play Toyota Cheetahs at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday 24th February 2018, 5.30pm KO is as follows:
15 Dan Evans
14 Jeff Hassler
13 Kieron Fonotia
12 Ashley Beck
11 Tom Habberfield (Capt)
10 Sam Davies
9 Reuben Morgan-Williams
1 Nicky Smith
2 Sam Parry
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Adam Beard
5 James King
6 Olly Cracknell
7 Guy Mercer
8 Sam Cross
REPLACEMENTS
16 Ifan Phillips
17 Rhodri Jones
18 Ma’afu Fia
19 Alex Jeffries
20 James Hook
21 Luke Price
22 Owen Watkin
23 Hanno Dirksen
Reuben Morgan-Williams makes his first Guinness PRO14 start
Alex Jeffries will make his PRO14 debut if he comes off the bench
Ashley Beck makes his 100th Championship appearance
Ma’afu Fia will make his 50th Ospreys appearance if he comes off the bench
The following players are unavailable for selection due to international duty:
Dan Biggar, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric
The following players are unavailable for selection due to injury:
Cory Allen – Pectoral
Lloyd Ashley - Foot
Scott Baldwin - Foot
Dan Baker – Knee
Josh Cole – Knee
Dewi Cross - Hamstring
Keelan Giles – Knee
Hugh Gustafson - Achilles
Dafydd Howells - Shoulder
Paul James – Shoulder
Ben John – HIA
Will Jones - Foot
Dan Lydiate – Bicep
Rob McCusker - Calf
Brian Mujati – Shoulder
Scott Otten - Ankle
James Ratti - Stinger
Rory Thornton – Shoulder
Eli Walker – Back
Rhys Webb - Knee
Kieran Williams – Ankle
Tom Williams - Forearm
Interim Head Coach, Allen Clarke, said:
“Everybody here understands the importance of this game to our aspirations for this season. The win last weekend was crucial for us and we got what we needed from the Kings game even if we know that the performance wasn’t at the level we want it to be.
“There’s a healthy realism about where we are and what we need to do to improve our position over the coming weeks, starting on Saturday evening. We have to build on the last result.
“We know where we are in the table but to give credit to the squad the mood is good and the environment is a positive one with people wanting to be here, wanting to work hard.
“Whatever the outcome this weekend, or this season, that’s something positive that we can build on for the future. Ultimately though, we all understand that we’ll be judged by what happens on the field on game day.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Sat 24 Feb – 5.30pm KO – Ospreys v Cheetahs – Liberty Stadium
Sat 3 Mar – 6.30pm KO – Zebre v Ospreys - Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Sat 24 Mar – 7.35pm KO – Ospreys v Leinster – Liberty Stadium
Fri 6 Apr – 7.35pm KO – Ospreys v Connacht – Liberty Stadium