The Ospreys team to play Benetton Treviso at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Friday 31st August, KO 8.05pm (Local), is as follows:
15 Richard Fussell
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Ashley Beck
11 Tom Isaacs
10 Dan Biggar
9 Kahn Fotuali’i
1 Ryan Bevington
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Aaron Jarvis
4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
5 Ian Evans
6 James King
7 Sam Lewis
8 Jonathan Thomas
REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Baldwin
17 Duncan Jones
18 Joe Rees
19 Joe Bearman
20 Morgan Allen
21 Rhys Webb
22 Matthew Morgan
23 Tom Grabham
Tom Grabham will make his RaboDirect PRO12 debut if he comes off the bench
The following players were not considered because of injury:
Ryan Jones – Knee
Eli Walker – Shoulder
Will Price - ACL
George Stowers – Back
James Goode – Groin
Justin Tipuric - Hip
Forwards Coach, Jonathan Humphreys, said:
“Treviso is a tough place to go at any time, but to make the trip on the opening weekend of the season is particularly tough. They are a good team who as we’ve seen in their two seasons in the PRO12 are a match for anyone, and they’ve recruited well over the summer so will be confident going into the game.
“As always, our focus in training as been on what we can bring to the table, on our preparation, attention to detail, and the need to be clinical. Like every year there’s a sense of optimism at the start of the season but it’s one that I think this year is a little bit different. We’ve got over 9,000 season ticket holders signed up and eagerly awaiting the first home game against Ulster next weekend, and we’ve seen how the community has got behind the cause at events like the kit launch. It’s clear there is a real buzz about the place.
“We’ve got a strong core of players here, experienced internationals, Lions and Grand Slam winners, and there’s another level of young players coming through below them who are the future of the region. We are all about development from within and this weekend sees Tom Grabham as the latest local youngster to graduate into the senior squad. He is someone who will be looking to take his opportunity just as the likes of Hanno, James King and Ashley Beck did last season.
“It’s going to be a difficult evening. It will be warm and we’ll be up against tough opponents desperate to start on a high in front of their own fans. It’ll be a test of character for us but we are really looking forward to getting back into it.”
Forthcoming Fixtures
Sat 8 Sep 18.30 KO – Ospreys V Ulster – RaboDirect PRO12
Fri 14 Sep 19:05 KO – Ospreys v Glasgow – RaboDirect PRO12
Fri 21 Sep 19:05 KO – Scarlets v Ospreys – RaboDirect PRO12
Sat 29 Sep 18:30 KO – Ospreys v Munster – RaboDirect PRO12