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 Hook9 Mike Phillips
8 Filo Tiatia (Capt)
7 Marty Holah
6 Jonathan Thomas
5Ian Evans
4 Ian Gough
3 Adam Jones2 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:
"â¬ÅWhilst 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."â¬Â
"â¬ÅLike 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."â¬Â
"â¬ÅThe 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."â¬Â
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 "â¬" Heineken Cup "â¬" Gloucester Rugby v Ospreys "â¬" Kingsholm "â¬" 8.00pm
Friday 23rd November "â¬" Magners League "â¬" Ospreys v Leinster "â¬" Liberty Stadium "â¬" 7.10pm
Sunday 2nd December - EDF Energy Cup "â¬" Harlequins v Ospreys "â¬" The Stoop "â¬" 3.00pm