Ospreys Team To Face Gloucester

The Ospreys team to face Gloucester Rugby, in the Heineken Cup, on Friday 16th November at Kingsholm, 8.00pm kick off, will be as follows: -

15 Lee Byrne

14 Nikki Walker

13 Sonny Parker

12 Gavin Henson

11 Jonathan Vaughton

10 James Hook
9 Mike Phillips

8 Filo Tiatia (Capt)

7 Marty Holah

6 Jonathan Thomas

5Ian Evans

4 Ian Gough

3 Adam Jones
2 Huw Bennett

1 Duncan Jones

Replacements:

16 Richard Hibbard

17 Paul James

18 Alun Wyn Jones

19 Hale T-Pole

20 Justin Marshall

21 Shaun Connor

22 Mark Taylor

Head Coach, Lyn Jones, commented as follows:

"€œWhilst we were pleased to start the competition with a solid win last weekend against a highly motivated Bourgoin side we recognise that our accuracy and overall performance levels will have to improve this weekend. The players are looking forward to the challenge posed by Gloucester Rugby and there will be no complacency on Friday night."€

"€œLike us, Gloucester have ability throughout their side and there will be a lot of good rugby players on show this weekend. They have a dangerous back line and our defence will have to be right on top of its game if we are to succeed. This is one fixture where it is particularly true to say that the team who makes the least number of mistakes will come out on top."€

"€œThe crowd at Kingsholm create a passionate, partisan environment and whilst we travel in a very confident frame of mind, buoyed by our past form on the road in England, we recognize the size of the task that awaits us. Ospreys supporters will be well represented at the ground and I am sure they will be as vocal as ever which should make for a great occasion."€

Injury and squad availability news

The following players are unavailable for selection due to injury:

Shane Williams has a thigh injury that is currently being assessed

Ryan Jones (shoulder) remains on schedule with his rehabilitation programme and hopes to be available for selection against Harlequins in early December

Barry Williams (back) has not recovered as quickly as we had anticipated and he will now have to undergo further medical examination

David Bishop (knee) is expected to rejoin main squad training over the next two weeks and should be playing within a month

Fixture News

Upcoming fixtures are as follows:

Friday 16th November "€" Heineken Cup "€" Gloucester Rugby v Ospreys "€" Kingsholm "€" 8.00pm

Friday 23rd November "€" Magners League "€" Ospreys v Leinster "€" Liberty Stadium "€" 7.10pm

Sunday 2nd December - EDF Energy Cup "€" Harlequins v Ospreys "€" The Stoop "€" 3.00pm