The Ospreys team to face Gloucester in the Heineken Cup on Saturday 12th January, at Liberty Stadium, kick off at 5.30pm, will be as follows...
The Ospreys team to face Gloucester in the Heineken Cup on Saturday 12th January, at Liberty Stadium, kick off at 5.30pm, will be as follows: -15 Lee Byrne14 Nikki Walker13 Sonny Parker12 Gavin Henson11 Shane Williams10 James Hook9 Justin Marshall
8 Filo Tiatia7 Marty Holah6 Ryan Jones (Capt)5 Alun Wyn Jones4 Ian Gough3 Adam Jones
2 Huw Bennett1 Duncan Jones
Replacements:
16 Richard Hibbard17 Paul James18 Ian Evans19 Jonathan Thomas20 Mike Phillips21 Mark Taylor22 Jonathan VaughtonHead Coach, Lyn Jones, commented as follows:
"Our players are well prepared and invigorated ahead of the Gloucester challenge on Saturday. Matches such as this are what players and coaches aspire to and we have worked hard to get ourselves in this position. Gloucester kicked off against Ulster with an unbelievable first 27 minutes and this has given them terrific momentum from the outset of this tournament. Our match in Kingsholm was an altogether much tighter affair and small things influenced what in the end turned out to be a positive result for them."
"It is great to have Shane and Ryan back for this return fixture and whilst it gives us difficult selection decisions in some positions it also give us great strength coming off the bench for the latter stages of what I am sure will be a very physical encounter. Small things will determine who gains the spoils this weekend, and with Gloucester bringing a large contingent of vocal supporters from their West Country she said it is vital they are matched by a vocal Liberty Stadium crowd. The response from our supporters has been fantastic and it is set to be a packed house and should be an occasion for all to savour."
Injury and squad availability news
Two players are not available for selection this week:
Andrew Bishop has had a pin inserted in a small bone in his hand and he is expected to be out for about 6 weeks
Barry Williams underwent keyhole surgery (an arthroscopy) on his hip in London earlier this week and he will now undergo a four-month rehabilitation programme
Commenting on Barry's operation, Ospreys Physio, Chris Towers said:
"The Surgeons found exactly what they were expecting and the operation has been successful. Barry now has four months of rehab and we hope to get him back for the last month of the season, any earlier than this would be a bonus."
Gloucester ticket categories selling out
Please note that all Category A & B tickets in East, West & Southstands are now completely sold out! Any further higher category ticket sales will be issued in our North Stand behind the posts.
Please note when ordering tickets online that tickets are sold on a 'next-best' basis. Given that all category A & B tickets in West & East Stand are now sold out, any tickets within either of these categories (A or B) will now be sold in the North Stand.
Please be assured that we DO still have plenty of Category C & Family seating available for sale!
With salescurrently at 15,000 with two days to go, we're looking forward to what we hope will approach, if not reach, a sell-out crowd here on Saturday.
WE STRONGLY URGE SUPPORTERS TO PURCHASE TICKETS IN ADVANCE TO AVOID LONG QUEUEING ON MATCH DAY. TICKETS PURCHASED ON MATCHDAY ARE ALSO LIABLE TO A £2 SURCHARGE.
January fixtures are as follows:
Heineken Cup - Saturday 12th January - Ospreys v Gloucester - Liberty Stadium - 5.30pm
Heineken Cup - Sunday 20th January - Bourgoin v Ospreys - Stade Pierre Rajon - 2.00pm
Please note that all fixtures are subject to change