With 15,000 tickets already snapped up for Saturday's crucial Heineken Cup game against Munster at the Liberty Stadium, Scott Johnson has issued a rallying cry to fans, urging them to 'Blackout' their home for the game.
Having picked up a crucial bonus point in Sunday’s narrow defeat in Limerick, the region’s Heineken Cup fate goes on the line when Munster make the trip across the Irish sea for the return leg.
The Ospreys proud European record has seen them go 14 games unbeaten at the Liberty Stadium in the competition, a record that stretches back to December 18th2005, exactly five years to the day of the Munster match. That last gasp defeat to Leicester is the only defeat the Ospreys have suffered in the 16 Heineken Cup games played at their home ground since moving in ahead of the 05/06 campaign, and Director of Coaching Scott Johnson says he has no intention of seeing that impressive unbeaten run going up in smoke.
“People talk about impressive European records, and places being a fortress, but I don’t think we sometimes get the credit we deserve for our record here. There’s been some bloody good teams have been here and not got the win. Leicester twice, Stade Francais twice, Perpignan, Sale, Gloucester, Clermont Auvergne, none of them are pushovers.
“It’s going to be real toughie on Saturday, as tough as any of the games before have been, but we’ve got belief in ourselves to do a job.
“We’ll need everyone to pull together if we are going to get the performance right and get the result, and I mean everyone. We need this place packed, and we want it rocking. Our fans have to leave everyone in no doubt where they are and what this means to us. Let’s blackout the place, get here early and make some noise. Every little bit will help on Saturday, together we are stronger.”
The scene is set for a fantastic occasion on Saturday, with the biggest crowd of the season to date already assured. To help get the fans into the big game mood pre-match activity ahead of kick off, including gymnastic dancers and a performance on the pitch by the Ospreys choir, while fans are also being encouraged to proudly fly the Ospreys flag for the afternoon – and will be led by official Ospreys flag bearers. The OSC will be selling special Ospreys clappers around the ground at just £1 each to really help raise the noise, while supporters are being encouraged to complete the blackout by wearing the Ospreys colours with pride – be that clothing or face paint.
Tickets for the game are available to buy in person at the Liberty Stadium Ticket Office, online at www.ospreysrugby.com, or via the Ticket Hotline on 08700 400 004.
The squad will be hitting the road ahead of the game, following on from appearances at Tesco Neath Abbey and Oxford Street, Swansea, last week, with the following players present at the locations and times listed below, where they will be meeting and greeting fans, signing autographs and posing for photos – come along and show your support ahead of the big game.
Wednesday 15thDecember, Tesco Llansamlet (12am-5pm)
Players attending between noon and 4pm on a rota basis including Conor McInerney, Kristian Phillips, Shane Williams, Jonathan Spratt and Eli Walker.
Thursday 16thDecember, Tesco Fforestfach (2pm-6pm)
Players attending between 2pm and 6pm on a rota basis including Tommy Bowe, Lee Byrne, Adam, Alun Wyn and Ryan Jones.
Friday 17thDecember, Tesco Marina (2pm-5pm)
Players attending between 2pm and 5pm on a rota basis including Cai Griffiths, Andy Lloyd, Tom Prydie and Lee Byrne.