With preparations for this weekend's crunch Heineken Cup tie against Leicester Tigers well underway, Ospreys bosses are calling on rugby fans to show their support for the region on Saturday afternoon.
The Guinness Premiership giants arrive at the Liberty Stadium for the final Pool 3 fixture, with both sides knowing that a win, however it comes, will be enough to ensure they progress to the knockout stages, eliminating their opposition in the process.
Almost 14,000 tickets have already been sold for the game, with the season’s highest crowd almost guaranteed, and with all the ingredients in place for a memorable afternoon, Managing Director Roger Blyth says that he is expecting a great atmosphere on Saturday. He said:
“It’s going to be a fantastic occasion, and I think that I can speak for everybody at the Ospreys when I say that we can’t wait for the game on Saturday. First class rugby doesn’t get any better than this; a return to good old fashioned Anglo-Welsh rivalries with the Guinness Premiership leaders in town, it’s effectively a knockout cup-tie as it is winner takes all, there’s going to be a big crowd present and it’s rugby on a Saturday afternoon, which is what everybody wants.
“Leicester are sure to be well supported, they will bring plenty of fans to the game as they did last season, so it’s important that we have the passionate backing of as near to a full house as we can get. It really will give the players a lift to see and hear thousands of Ospreylians in full voice for such an important game. Having been at the game in Clermont Auvergne last weekend, I have to say that the atmosphere generated by a 15,000 crowd blew me away, it was something to behold.
“There is no doubt that the crowd played a huge part in their win, now the challenge is for our supporters to step up to the challenge and match that. Our players will be doing all they can on the pitch, but it is important that the team effort extends to the stands. We’ve seen the difference that passionate Ospreylian support has made on big European occasions in the past, games like Sale, Gloucester and Leicester last year spring to mind. More of the same this weekend will be appreciated.”
To help supporters get into the spirit, festivities will get underway two hours before the 1.35pm kick-off, when the Supporters Village opens for business, with live entertainment from The Somethings, while the Kidszone will be in full swing with its range of interactive rugby themed inflatables providing real fun for Ospreys fans young and old. Meanwhile, the Wave Roadshow will be broadcasting live from the stadium throughout the day. The Somethings will return to the stage in the Village immediately after the final whistle, entertaining supporters for another hour as they enjoy a post-match pint and discuss the game
Roger Blyth added:
“All the ingredients are in place for a memorable afternoon, and the activities in place around the stadium will help to ensure that everybody has a great time. While it should be a fantastic match, we realise that it’s not just about 80 minutes these days, people expect more than just attending a rugby match, and the package of entertainment that we have in place certainly provides that.
“There’s a real buzz of anticipation about the place ahead of the game, and I’d suggest that the buzz at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday will be one of real excitement. If you are a rugby fan in Ospreylia then there’s only one place to be this weekend.”
Tickets for the game remain on sale at the Liberty Stadium Ticket Office. Alternatively, they can be purchased via the Ticket Hotline on 08700 400 004, or online at www.ospreysrugby.com