Ospreys Ready To Soar Into New Season

Rugby fans eager to see All-Black legends Justin Marshall and Andrew Mehrtens go head-to-head for the first time ever are snapping up tickets for Friday's mouth-watering pre-season clash between the Ospreys and Harlequins of the Guinness Premiership.

The intriguing match-up between the former New Zealand halfback pairing is the highlight of what is expected to be an entertaining clash at Liberty Stadium. It will be the first opportunity for Ospreys fans to see Marshall taking flight in an Ospreys shirt following his move to south Wales from Leeds over the summer, along with the region's other summer signings, include Marshall's fellow Kiwi Filo Tiatia, Wales and Scarlets duo Lee Byrne and Tal Selley and Scotland wing Nikki Walker.

Ospreys Managing Director Mike Cuddy says he can't wait for the start of the new rugby season:

"The first match of a new season is always eagerly anticipated and this time Ospreys fans have more to be excited about that ever before. Expectations are high for the coming season and we will be looking to get the ball rolling with a positive result against Harlequins on Friday evening. It might still be pre-season, but this will be no friendly match as both sides will be treating the game very seriously, coming just a week ahead of the first league game of our respective seasons.

"Harlequins have confirmed that they will be bringing their first team squad to the match and Lyn Jones will be keen to ensure that his side hits the ground running ahead of the visit of Edinburgh Gunners the following weekend. Anglo-Welsh matches have always had a bit of spice attached to them and this one will be no different, I'm sure it's going to be a keenly contested affair.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Justin Marshall, the world's number one scrum half in an Ospreys shirt for the first time, and the sight of him locking horns with his old friend Andrew Merhtens is sure to be a treat for all rugby fans. There will be plenty of things for Ospreys fans to keep their eyes on, with summer signings making their Ospreys debuts, the welcome return from long-term injury of Ryan Jones and Brent Cockbain and also, the familiar face of Hal Luscombe who moved to Harlequins from the Dragons in the summer."

With brisk sales reported at the Liberty Stadium Ticket Office, the Ospreys are anticipating another five-figure crowd for the fixture. According to Mike Cuddy, this is further evidence of the Ospreys status as Wales' premier region:

"It shows how far we have come as a region in a short space of time when we have already sold more tickets for a pre-season fixture then we were selling for Celtic League and Heineken Cup fixtures just a couple of years ago.

"Rugby fans across the region are fully embracing the Ospreys concept, making us the best supported side in Welsh rugby. With a fantastic home at the Liberty Stadium, a playing squad with quality running right through it and our growing support base, 2006/07 looks like being a season to remember for the Ospreys."

Tickets are now on sale at the Liberty Stadium Ticket Office, online or via the Ticket Hotline on 08700 400 004.