Historic Coup For Ospreys

The Ospreys today confirmed that they are to face John Connolly"€™s 37-man squad during a tour that will see the Wallabies take in Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

The Ospreys today confirmed that they are to face John Connolly’s 37-man squad during a tour that will see the Wallabies take in Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

The tour is as a key part to Australia’s 2007 World Cup preparations and we are delighted to have been selected to play the opening fixture of the tour and the first of their four mid-week matches

The match will be played at our 20,000 seat Liberty Stadium on Wednesday 1st November 2006, with kick off at 7.30pm 

We anticipate a large crowd for this fixture against the world cup finalists in what will be the first time a Welsh Regional team has faced a major touring side

The match will be an all-pay event, although Ospreys season ticket holders will be eligible to purchase an early release of tickets at a 50% discount on the match day prices

Comment from Managing Director, Roger Blyth: 

"This fixture will represent another significant step in the development of the Ospreys Region.  For various reasons it was impractical for Wales A to play this touring side and when we were contacted by Australia, with the sanction of the WRU we jumped at the opportunity to face the Wallabies.  This will be a full-blooded fixture that I am sure will excite our supporters and we anticipate a packed Liberty Stadium. We are keen to rewarding our season ticket holders with an opportunity to benefit from a lower price and an early chance to secure their ticket and I am sure they will jump at the chance to be at the match.” 

“We expect to face a strong Australian side and initial discussions suggest that the WRU will release back to us Wales team players not directly involved in the test match on Saturday 4th November.  We have assembled a strong squad of players for the upcoming season and we have strength in depth throughout our side.  I am sure players such as Justin Marshall and Filo Tiatia will look forward to renewing acquaintances with the likes of Stephen Larkham and Chris Latham.  This is a massive event for the Ospreys region as a whole and our coaches and players are already looking forward to this historic match.”