The Ospreys team to face Edinburgh in the Magners League on Sunday 4th October 2009 at the Liberty Stadium, kick off at 4.00pm, will be as follows:-
15 Lee Byrne
14 Shane Williams
13 Tommy Bowe
12 James Hook
11 Nikki Walker
10 Dan Biggar
9 Mike Phillips
1 Duncan Jones
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Cai Griffiths
4 Alun-wyn Jones
5 Jonathan Thomas
6 Tom Smith
7 Marty Holah
8 Ryan Jones ©
Replacements:
16 Huw Bennett
17 Craig Mitchell
18 Ian Evans
19 Jerry Collins
20 Jamie Nutbrown
21 Gareth Owen
22 Andrew Bishop
Ospreys Coach Jonathan Humphreys commented:
“Edinburgh are a side who like to play rugby so we’re all looking forward to what should be a good test and an entertaining game for the fans. Clearly they are no mugs, they’ve improved year on year in recent seasons, finished in second place last season and have got off to a bit of a flier this time around. They are top with three wins, and were just one kick away from coming down to us with a 100 per cent record. We know all about the threat they possess having seen them score four tries to gain a narrow win the last time they were here.
“As a coaching team, I have to say that we were a lot happier with what we saw from the players in Glasgow last week, it was good to see a bit more of what we’ve been trying to do coming through, it’s pleasing to see it making a difference. The application was better than it’s been and the spirit and character of the squad was outstanding, as it has been all along.
“There’s still a lot more to come from us though, we know that as coaches and the players are well aware of it. Just as we weren’t going to panic after losing a couple of games, we certainly aren’t going to get carried away with one. We’re expecting a real test so we need to step up another level again on Sunday, and the focus this week has been on making sure we get the little things right that will make a huge difference.”
The following players were not considered because of injury
Adam Jones is now halfway through his rehab and is making excellent progress. He is ahead of schedule and we are pushing to get him back before the New Year, which is earlier than our original prognosis
Conor McInerney is just over four weeks post keyhole surgery to correct a defect on the hyaline cartilage behind his patella. We are starting to increase the intensity of his rehab with a target of an early 2010 return
Rhys Webb is coming along nicely after undergoing double surgery in the summer, on ACL and shoulder reconstructions. He is still in the rehab phase and is achieving all his objectives. We are looking at him playing again early next year, although we are still hopeful of improving on this
Lyndon Bateman is a couple of weeks post keyhole surgery to clear out his knee, which will hopefully alleviate symptoms that have been limiting his return to functional rehab
Steve Tandy is still recovering from a back spasm suffered during last week’s win at Glasgow. His condition is much improved and if his progress continues, he will be available for selection next weekend
Paul James is hopeful of being available next weekend after suffering bad bruising to the collarbone against Glasgow
Forthcoming Fixtures
Sun 4th Oct - Ospreys V Edinburgh - Magners League - Liberty Stadium - 4.00pm
Sun 11th Oct – Leicester Tigers V Ospreys – Heineken Cup – Welford Road – 12.45pm
Sun 18th Oct – Ospreys V Clermont Auvergne – Heineken Cup – Liberty Stadium – 12.45pm
Sat 24th Oct – Cardiff Blues V Ospreys – Magners League – Cardiff City Stadium – 6.30pm
Fri 30th October - Ospreys V Glasgow - Magners League - Liberty Stadium - 7.05pm