Ospreys team to face Aironi

The Ospreys team to play Aironi on Friday 17th February 2012 at the Liberty Stadium, kick off at 7.30pm will be as follows:

15 Richard Fussell

14 Hanno Dirksen

13 Andrew Bishop

12 Ashley Beck

11 Eli Walker

10 Dan Biggar

9 Rhys Webb

 

1 Ryan Bevington

2 Richard Hibbard

3 Joe Rees

4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)

5 James King

6 Tom Smith

7 Sam Lewis

8 Joe Bearman

 

Replacements:

16 Scott Baldwin

17 Duncan Jones

18 Will Taylor

19 James Goode

20 George Stowers

21 Kahn Fotuali’i

22 Matthew Morgan

23 Tom Isaacs

 

Will Taylor will make his PRO12 debut if he comes off the bench

 

The following players were not considered because of injury:

Jonathan Thomas – Back

Will Price - ACL

Cai Griffiths - Arm

Aaron Jarvis – Rib

Richard Kelly - Wrist

Ben John - Groin

Gareth Owen – ACL

Nikki Walker – ACL

 

There are 16 players absent on international duty with Wales, Ireland, Wales U20, and Scotland U20.

 

Head Coach, Steve Tandy, commented:

We had a good win up in Edinburgh last weekend, showing great character to tough it out, but it won’t mean anything if we don’t back it up with a good performance this Friday.

 

“We won’t read anything into Aironi’s league position, they’re a well coached, dangerous team capable of hurting the opposition so we know we’re going to have to play well as a team. With Ulster away next weekend, it’s important that we build some momentum, some form, and start to get some real confidence.

 

“We’re all looking forward to focusing on the rugby again, and hopefully starting a new era for Ospreys Rugby on a winning note.”

 

Forthcoming fixtures

Fri 24 Feb – Ulster v Ospreys – Ravenhill – RaboDirect PRO12 – 7.05pm

Fri 2 Mar – Ospreys v Glasgow – Liberty Stadium – RaboDirect PRO12 – 7.05pm

Fri 23 Mar – Leinster v Ospreys – RDS Showground – RaboDirect PRO12 – 7.05pm

Sat 31 Mar – Ospreys v Benetton Treviso – Liberty Stadium – RaboDirect PRO12 – 6.30pm