Ospreys Team Amendment

As a result of James Hook suffering an acute back spasm, from which he has failed to recover 100 per cent fitness in time for the game, the Ospreys have been forced into one late change to the announced starting line up for the Heineken Cup Pool 3 fixture

against Perpignan at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday 18th October, KO 3.30pm.

He is replaced in the starting line-up by Jonny Vaughton who comes in on the wing, with Tommy Bowe moving to centre.

Hook becomes the third back to be added to a lengthy and growing injury list during the course of this week, along with Rhodri Wells and Nikki Walker, joining a list which already included Sonny Parker, Gareth Owen, Mike Phillips and Jamie Nutbrown.

Under ERC Tournament Regulations, each side must name a squad of 38 players from which they can select a matchday 22. Once this squad has been confirmed only one additional player can be made per squad to cover 'exceptional circumstances', an action that was taken by the Ospreys ahead of the Leicester Tigers, to register Rhodri Wells in the light of fitness concerns over Jamie Nutbrown and Mike Phillips.

As a result, the Ospreys have been forced to invite Gavin Henson to take the remaining place amongst the replacements for today's game, bringing short his two game ban in recognition of the extraordinary circumstances and the good spirit in which Gavin has addressed the recent disciplinary action and his match readiness as a result of his full participation in this week's training with the squad.

The Ospreys side is:

15 Lee Byrne 14 Jonny Vaughton 13 Tommy Bowe 12 Andrew Bishop 11 Shane Williams 10 Daniel Biggar 9 Rhys Webb 8 Filo Tiatia 7 Marty Holah 6 Ryan Jones © 5 Ian Evans 4 Alun-wyn Jones 3 Adam Jones 2 Huw Bennett 1 Paul James

Replacements:

16 Richard Hibbard 17 Duncan Jones 18 Ian Gough 19 Andrew Lloyd 20 Tom Smith 21 David Bishop 22 Gavin Henson